Losing to the Spurs Lakers suffered a 4-game losing streak, Thick Brow and Nunn are still in recuperation; Ariza, Munch and Reeves and others have also triggered safety and health agreements, and the bad situation seems to be far from over, so how can the Lakers get nibble? Combined with the game against the Spurs, analyzing one by one from three details, perhaps only one person can be expected to break the dilemma - Horton Tucker.
James 36+9+6; Westbrook 30+7+4, the Lakers still lose
Tucker, the Lakers' 2019 draft 46 picks, 193 cm height, 106 kg weight and 217 cm arm span, as well as a one-handed breakthrough on the left and right sides of the layup, the defensive end can be defended from the no. 1 position to the no. 5 position, personal talent and offensive and defensive attributes, making him a new star that the team focuses on cultivating, from the last season's trade deadline because the Lakers had terminated the trade with Lowry, to the offseason because of the renewal of his contract and the release of Caruso, all confirm the team's determination to cultivate him, but what is the reality?
First, Tucker's ball-holding attributes.
So far this season, Tucker's 38.2% + 23.8% shooting rate has averaged 10.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.5 blocks per game, as a 21-year-old who has only played 88 games so far in today's game, even if the shooting rate is not satisfactory, it is not up to the level of disappointment, let alone ignore his talent, but the past 17 games confirm that he is a bit out of tune with James and Westbrook.
Tucker bursts onto the layup instantly
For example, this attack, after he and Howard's arc blocking, in the face of Peltel's retreat, Murray's back pursuit, he still rushed to the basket, and there were two real ball-holding cores on the court, James and Westbrook, and his offensive choices were very problematic. Note that this is not Tucker's accidental behavior, but a microcosm of the season:
Tucker made a sudden mistake in an instant
Another example is this attack, James and Westbrook are still on the field at the same time, Tucker still directly after receiving the ball, the result is wrong; then, the team attacked the rebound, fully have the opportunity to reorganize the attack, he blindly went directly to the basket...
In fact, the Lakers want Tucker to play the role of 3D, unfortunately:
Tucker hit three-pointers
Wei Shao counter-attacked with the ball to send a wonderful pass, Tucker was absolutely empty, but so far this season, his three-point shooting rate is 23.8%...
This is the reality of Tucker in the Lakers, he did not cash in on the ideal forward link between James and Westbrook, not only because of his three-point instability, but more importantly, he also needs to hold the ball to play a role, so that James and Westbrook just solved the ball problem, because Tucker's possession attribute is instantly tense again, as James said, "How should the starting lineup be arranged except for me, Westbrook and Thick Eyebrows?" I don't know..." So how to fix it? Two ways.
Second, Tucker returns to the bench.
If Bradley, Ariza and Reeves lift the safety and health deal, the coaching staff could choose one of the three to replace Tucker's partners James and Westbrook. The first two veterans have lost their top-level 3D capabilities, but at least they won't have the ball between James and Westbrook; and Reeves, with emphasis.
Wei Shao helped Reeves to kill the Lone Ranger
So far this season, Reeves has averaged 5.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game with 50% + 39% shooting, which is not as good as Tucker on the surface, but note that Reeves's offensive efficiency is 108.1, the second on the team; the defensive efficiency is 98.3, the first on the team, is the player with the best efficiency value on the team, and his no-ball attribute is excellent. The defensive end is entangled one-on-one at the same time, but also can actively assist and supplement the defense; on the offensive end, the vacancy is very stable, and there is no opportunity not to attack, but to pass the ball back to James and Westbrook.
Therefore, once the above three people return, the coaching staff is best to put Tucker back on the bench, which can solve the problem of the possession of the ball between James and Westbrook, and also improve the team's bench strength, which can be described as a double victory.
Third, tucker's transaction value.
"The Lakers are very active in the free market", Shams recently reported, and we can recognize the fact that James and thick eyebrows are not for sale, Wei Shao, even if the Lakers want to change, the huge salary of 44 million is difficult for a team to take over, so the Lakers can really get the only trading chips that Tucker (9.5 million salary and talent) + role players + draft picks, from this point of view, do not rule out the possibility of the Lakers trading Tucker, for the Lakers to change back to the ideal puzzle that is more suitable for the crown.
Turner's 3D centering attributes are perfect for the Lakers
For example, the absence of thick eyebrows in the Lakers' interior line, Pelinka can try to use Tucker + role players and draft picks, etc., quote the Pacers Turner and rocket Wood, etc., once successful, the Lakers almost all the problems are expected to be solved.
Conclusion: Tucker has potential, but his current ability and habits, and James and Westbrook are not in tune, the coaching staff is best to put him back on the bench, of course, the best solution, if he is used as a chip to return to a qualified fifth position, after solving the team's internal problem, thick eyebrows can return to the fourth position, James no longer need to support the center position, the Lakers are expected to complete Nirvana in the championship mode of two years ago, otherwise, it is difficult for them to get out of the mud of today.