LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Lakers coach Frank Vogel has already scratched his head about his spin in the preliminary second game of second-year defender Dylan Horton-Tucker.
When asked how Horton-Tucker would find a role after dominating La Clippers at 131-106 with 33 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 thefts, Vocal said, “This will definitely make my job harder.” Sunday hit.
Horton-Tucker, who was selected by the 46th-ranked Lakers as of 2019, was able to show up largely because LA was missing. Vogel says LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Wesley Mathews and Dennis Schrder have been rested for the night, and Costas Antoine ோnbo and Devonde Cagok have suffered late scratches due to “league health and safety protocols”.
It took Horton-Tucker 41 minutes to play – more than 81 minutes he recorded his entire rookie season – in which he amassed a plus-minus of plus-36.
“We have a very deep team. No minute is guaranteed,” Vogel said. “He’s going to continue to play at a high level, which should push everyone else to play at a higher level. It gives us the luxury of carrying loads for some of our teammates who played deep in the championship run. Last year and had a short office.”
With an unprecedented season for the Lockers and the NBA starting in 2020-21, it is a blessing to have someone like Horton-Tucker on the list. As Vogue noted, he can fill in when the stars rest. He is another talented body if you want to infect the COVID-19 locker room. And, especially in the case of a senior team like the Lakers, the energy that emerges from the 20-year-old finding his way into the league seems to have already rubbed off on the team.
James was sidelined overnight to reflect on how Horton-Tucker flew his wrist to complete a shot in traffic, shaking his head in surprise after the robbery and ending up at the other end masked to spike it on the bench as he hit Touch Down when the Iowa State product hit another bucket.
“I see this as a blessing,” said Horton-Tucker, commonly referred to as “THT”. “It’s really crazy, because I’m feeling 19-, 20-year-old in the world getting this experience? Not much. So I can take everything and learn from it every day. I’ll see other superstars announcing it.
With a 6-foot-4, but 7-foot-1 wing, Horton-Tucker has shown an ability to use that range to make plays at the defensive end.
“He’s still young, he’s going to make some mistakes from time to time, but he’s just as defensive as he is offensive,” Vogel said. “So I think he’s a good fit for us.”
Miami Heat from the G League two years ago: His ability is already beginning to reflect another young, defensive guard for the Lakers to start the NBA Finals Game 6 against Alex Caruso.
“Everyone’s journey is different, but I feel like AC is a good trip,” Horton-Tucker said. “If I can see him next to me every day, it’s a good measure to see where you are individually. So having a guy like that and being able to see the success he’s had gives me confidence that I can do the same.”