Talen Horton-Tucker Discussion: Growing Pains

From what I have heard, Bronny isn't good enough to play in the NBA right now. Meaning, he would have to make an astronomical jump in skills to play one year in college and than go to the NBA after.

 

If Bron can keep his 25pt average and average 60 games played this year and the next, he gets the scoring title and his contract with us is done summer 2023. Next year with the big 3 and THT we are at 140 million-ish and a projected cap of 119mil and 145mil tax line, we're pretty much in the same boat as now, minimum vet deals and a 6.2 mil MLE to use.

The summer of 2023 though, with around a 125mill cap and only AD and THT (if THT is still on the roster) leaves us with around 73.4 million to build around those 2 in free agency with of course the ability to go beyond that with vet minimums and the MLE though the FO may be looking to take a year off of above-the-cap rosters and stay under the cap to avoid the repeater tax for the next 3 years.

 

Bold prediction, THT will be a role player on another team in 2 years.

 

I would love for someone to show me what upside is that. He has a nice penetration game with counters, but... that's all I see.

 

Freakish long arms?

 

I am not asking you to convince me. I am asking someone to share their view. Why are you looking for a confrontation where there is none?!

 

he's got good physical tools. he can, in theory, play the 1/2/3. he has a pretty strong handle, a good driving game, and pretty good/developing court awareness on offense.

you're half-joking i think, but like kuzma, we don't have the right roster composition to allow him to develop in his appropriate role. he can't start with lebron, russ, and AD, and his prime skills (penetrate and kick on offense) are redundant with our two highest-paid and played players, so even a bench role will still be somewhat limited. nunn's going to deal with similar issues if he ever plays a game.

he's been junk lately, but i think he could end up a lot better. and if we trade him, he could become a 18/5/5 guy somewhere else as soon as next year.

 

Arms aren't still freakishly long?





LTSmartA$$

 

He's got a lot to his game:
On defense: he's willing to work has good strength plus long arms so can guard 1-3
On offense: good handle, able to finish and get to the rim again helped by the sheer bulk plus long arms, good and willing passer, pretty good athlete on top of bulk/long arms, good footwork as well.

Issues are still very young so doesn't know how to attack defenses vs lay back and his inconsistent 3 point shot.

Can't emphasize enough that Vogel and the Lakers whether you think it's right or wrong has not prioritized his development nor put in a position to succeed.
-Right now because he's the only wing with bulk/length he's being asked to take on guys like Tatum and George when he's a 2 who can switch onto bigger guys as needed. So basically he's being played out of of position on defense
-And then on offense because of this, he's being played in lineups that make his weaknesses stand out and not his strengths. It's an absolute travesty to put him in a lineup with DH/Russ together. That makes no f***ing sense offensively. It's redundant skill lineup (Russ,THT, Lebron) all have similar strengths on offense AND similar weaknesses and you give this kid who can attack the basket at will no space whatsoever.

IMO, he would shine with AD at the 5 with shooters and with Lebron (or Russ but not both). He will become a very good player just got to be patient and put in a position to succeed

 

It’s his lockdown D for me

:THT Heart Hands:

 

Hence the "If THT is still on the Roster" part. I was talking about building around AD.

 

Offense meh
Defense very good

 

haven't seen the whole game, but he mishandled a dribble early that made me think his thumb is jacked, and he's just playing through it until he can have another surgery.

 

His drives looked better. Little out of control, but no real complaints there. Got to stop with the 3s. He's not good from there and A LOT worse with a bad thumb.

You can't really tell Bron, AD, or Russ to stop shooting them when your job is on the line. You can absolutely tell THT to cool it, though.