There was a Lakers player who scored 40 points on 15-of-28 shooting in the first game back-to-back and only 15 points on 4-of-16 shooting in the second game. I'm afraid many people don't guess that he is Talen Horton-Tucker. Speaking of Tucker, Lakers fans are really bitter in their hearts, eager to send him away.
On April 8, the Lakers vs Warriors, Tucker played 37 minutes, shooting 15 of 28, 2 of 6 from three-point range, 8 of 9 from the free throws, and 40 points, 3 boards, 3 assists, 4 steals! The 40 points set Tucker's career career scoring record, after just 28 points. Tucker is also the only Lakers player besides James to cut 40+ this season, and Westbrook and Thick Brow are both 35 points.
Some fans commented: "As long as there is the right to let go of the ball, most players can cut 40+. As a result, Tucker disappointed everyone the next day. On April 9, the Lakers vs Thunder, Tucker played 34 minutes, 4 of 16 shooting, 4 of 4 three-pointers, 6 of 6 free throws, and scored 15 points, 8 boards, 5 assists and 2 steals. It is worth mentioning that the Lakers' big three have not played these two games.
Looking at Tucker's last 10 games: 20, 2, 0, 7, 12, 11, 7, 7, 40 and 15, it's no exaggeration to say that he was "one god, five ghosts". So far this season, Tucker has played in 59 games for the Lakers, averaging 25.4 minutes per game, with 9.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1 steal.
Tucker shot 41.7 percent from the field this season and just 27.4 percent from three-point range (averaging three-pointers per game). For comparison, he averaged 9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1 steal last season, shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 28.2 percent from three-point range. While Tucker has averaged 0.9 points per game this season, his shooting percentage has declined.
Speaking about his poor performance this season, Tucker explained: "I should realize that the NBA is the most important thing, and next season I will adjust my mentality. "What do you mean?" Didn't you think it was important to play in the NBA before? The manager also had a showdown, and speaking about Tucker's struggle, Vogel said: "He has to learn to play without the ball, he can't just hold the ball in his hand. ”
Last offseason, the Lakers let go of Caruso, who could play without the ball, but renewed Tucker's contract for $30.78 million for 3 years. The Lakers already have too many ball carriers, tucker also needs the ball, and it makes sense that he is not doing well. In addition, Vogel is not happy with Tucker's defense: "He has not yet reached the defensive level and still has a long way to go!" ”
Tucker is 1.93 meters tall, with an arm span of 2.17 meters, and has a good static talent. But his projection ability and ball quotient are both short,000, and his shooting choices are even worse. At the 2019 Draft, Tucker's original forecast pick was at the end of the first round, but the result was that he was suspected of stealing $16 worth of goods at the supermarket, resulting in a drop in the pick until the 46th pick.
After entering the NBA, Tucker did not go out of the negative news outside the scene, and last season he also played a good number in the Lakers. Tucker is not yet 22 years old, and as a second-round show, such a performance is also a pass. But the Lakers gave Tucker tens of millions of annual salary, his salary is second only to the Big Three, and the team's requirements are naturally different.
The Lakers did not want to send Tucker away, and there were several inquiries before the closing date of the transaction. But Tucker's performance now, who wants to accept his contract?