‘Talen Horton-Tucker will be forced to start like Kobe Bryant’ – Kendrick Perkins makes questionable comparison between youngster and Lakers legend

Kendrick Perkins gave another controversial take when he said Talen Horton-Tucker’s situation is similar to that of Kobe Bryant.

Talen Horton-Tucker is a 6’4″ guard selected by the Lakers in the first round last year. After getting playing time through the Lakers’ first title run in 10 years, he is readying himself for a bigger role.

The situation seems uncannily like that of Alex Caruso’s. But Horton-Tucker has a much better talent pool to compete with and get minutes. Nevertheless, he’s doing his best to take his game and role to the next level.

His performance in both preseason games against the Clippers indicate that he’s got to have a go at it. 33 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals on 11-of-17 shooting from the field and 7-of-9 from the charity stripe. It was the best performance of his fledgling career.

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‘He’s gonna be forced to start like Kobe Bryant’: Kendrick Perkins on Talen Horton-Tucker

Perkins was effusive in his praise of the Lakers guard on Twitter last night:

“Talen has the most valuable contract in the league right now. Not comparing game or skill but reminds me of the situation. He’s gonna be forced to have to start like a young Kobe running Eddie Jones outta town. Too good to wait for his time, his time is now!”

Talen has the most valuable contract in the league right now.

Not comparing game or skill but reminds me of the situation. He’s gonna be forced to have to start like a young Kobe running Eddie Jones outta town.

Too good to wait for his time, his time is now! Carry on…

— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) December 14, 2020

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If Horton-Tucker does emerge as a viable option, this could be easier on LeBron James through the course of a regular season. Having him would allow them to run lineups with Schroder as the playmaker more often.