Talen Horton-Tucker Discussion: Growing Pains

Russ at 25m per for 4 years is a great contract. I doubt he settles for something that low, but if he did that would allow us to add another 2 good pieces.

 

Yuck.. We better not extend him.

 

Agree. Goodness.

An aging Westbrook?

Are you freaking kidding me?

 

I guess I had to see the team and what they were offering, but close to 50 mil does help you rebuild in a hurry. But the problem is they have to send back contracts on a multiple to 1 basis. And one must assume that they won't be very good players that are overpaid, and likely won't include draft compensation is they are starting over. Pacers come to mind, but if their collection of players didn't work there, why would they work here?

 

One player has never relied on superior athleticism to be great though, so I'm not sure teams would view it the same. Could be wrong though.

 

Well if the other team wants to clear cap space, they have to send us draft picks along with their crappy contracts or else it's a no deal on our part. In addition, a young and upcoming player would probably have to be included, similar to DLO trade with the Nets where we had to attach him to Mozgov's contract in order to clear cap space to eventually sign Lebron. I think we also swapped picks with them.

 

i share this view, do not extend Westbrook unless its for mle at best, hes worth more than that but im not hitching a brink truck to Westbrook wagon

 

Russell Westbrook hasn't much declined at all. I'm not sure what games are being watched. The surrounding players outside of Lebron, are underwhelming at the moment, a third option at his production level and proven durability? It's just a matter of coming to a satisfactory number on an opt out and extension. I don't see him going anywhere.

 

Yeah, no thanks.

Back on topic, hoping THT gets back on track.

 

He just needs to be played to his strengths.

It's been proven on and on again that champion teams put their players in positions where they can maximize their production. I don't understand why this guy is shooting 8 triples in a game.

I don't buy the spacing issues. Basketball is about movement, sharing the ball. If you do that when you have lineups of multiple guys that can post you, hit a middle range, attack the basket or dunk on you, if you share the ball and move the players to create mismatches and one on one opportunities that benefit Lebron, Westbrook and THT, it's very difficult to defend.

But I'm no expert.

 

Talen is lacking confidence in his jumper. It would ne nice if he had a few plays ran for him early, in order to get him a couple of easy baskets. Young guys can be up and down with the shooting stroke, I'd like to see him going hard to the cup more often, than standing around on the perimeter launching 3's.

 

he needs to play off the bench, imo. lebron, russ, and THT just can't work. and that's not really their fault.

 

I really disagree with that

 

Care to elaborate why?

 

I've stated it just 2 posts above

I would just add that it starts with defense. If you get stops, through steals or rebs and get on transition with those 3 + AD + whoever moves off-ball, and you gonna get a lot of scoring opportunities through mismatches.

Warriors won titles doing that. We don't have the outside shooting, but have the size and strength. The principle is the same.

And those guys have great bodies to play defense, it's on coaching to get the best of it.

 

I agree with your point about good teams putting players in positions to succeed. Like abeer, I feel him coming off the bench could be a better position for him to succeed. He can dominate the ball more and have the space he needs to attack the rim in his awkward way.

Also agree on your point about defence, if we did that we could hang our hats on our transition offence.

 

tht has been trash

 

He's not even looking to shoot. If he's lost his confidence he's gonna be riding the bench or might find himself trade. If you're a perimeter player next to Lebron you have to keep the defense honest and shoot.

 

His trade ability can't come soon enough if he doesn't torpedo his value by then. I believe in him the player, but not him the fit. He's awful as a Laker. Has to go.