Talen Horton-Tucker had a dream start to his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Orlando Magic selected Talen Horton-Tucker with the 46th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, but immediately traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers.
A 19-year-old Horton-Tucker played limited minutes on the Lakers. It was worth it as THT became an NBA champion in his rookie year.
It’s no surprise that LeBron James once believed THT was special, but now the former Lakers guard is out of the NBA.
Talen Horton-Tucker recalls a moment with LeBron James after winning 2020 NBA Championship
The 2020 LA Lakers were led by the dynamic duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis as they carried the majority of the offensive and defensive load for the organization.
Coming back to Horton-Tucker, he recalled how James’ one gesture made winning the 2020 NBA Championship special for him.
“They literally just gave it to me. I didn’t even ask to hold the title. They were like, ‘Talo, come here, hold the trophy,’” Horton-Tucker said on BasketNews Film Session.
He added: “Then we just started posing for pictures. That was a good moment.”
Now, that’s a great way to ensure that the rookie doesn’t feel out of place and absorbs the feeling of becoming an NBA champion.
After all, at the time, THT became the second-youngest player to ever win an NBA Championship in league history.
Talen Horton-Tucker on his critics calling him out after not playing in the 2020 NBA Finals
During the 2020 NBA playoffs, Horton-Tucker played in just two games for the Lakers throughout their championship run.
It wasn’t a surprise as THT was a rookie and the Lakers already had multiple seasoned veterans to play the postseason.
As a result, Horton-Tucker revealed many were unhappy over his championship celebrations in 2020.
“I remember I didn’t play in the finals. I played in that playoff run, but I didn’t play in the finals. So, anybody would be like, ‘Oh, I didn’t play, so I don’t really deserve to be around or enjoy the way I want to.’
“But those guys, being who they are and the people they are, they gave me the trophy to hold in the pictures,” THT further told BasketNews.
All things considered, Horton-Tucker seems to have loved every moment of that 2020 title run with the Lakers. He will now have to prove himself again as THT has signed with EuroLeague club Fenerbahce.
