Los Angeles Lakers: 3 reasons why Kyle Kuzma was a smart pick
Los Angeles Lakers fans were pretty surprised when the team chose Utah’s Kyle Kuzma at No. 27 in the 2017 NBA Draft, but that’s because they may not know why it’s a great pick.
Former Utah forward and Los Angeles Lakers first round draft pick, 6-foot-9 inch Kyle Kuzma, thinks Lonzo Ball “Is the best player in the Pac-12,” and that he is very hard to guard. Kuzma also said that Ball is “Such a great passer” according to Lakers Nation.
Kuzma should know; he had to play against Ball last season in the Pac-12. Kuzma’s head coach felt he was the leader of the team which is why he brought him to Pac-12 Media Day in San Fransisco last season. Coaches can only bring one player, so coach Larry Krystkowiak brought Kuzma.
Krystkowiak seems to be able to groom first-round draft picks. Two years ago he sent Delon Wright. I happen to be there, so we have this special peek into pre-season for Kuzma.
Kuzma earned First Team All-Pac-12 honors along with First Team All-Pac-12 Defense honors last season. Not an easy thing to do with all the stars in the division. Why did he earn those honors? Here are three reasons that the Lakers made the right decision selecting Kuzma with the 27th overall pick.
Reason No. 3 – Kyle Kuzma can score
@ZO2_ you ready?
— kuz (@kylekuzma) June 23, 2017
Just look at last season. Want a shooter? Kuzma made over 50% of his three-point shots in eight of the games he played at Utah. He made more than 50% or more field goals in 17 games last season. In addition to scoring, Kuzma racked up 17 double-doubles! He also makes a majority of his three’s!
Reason No. 2 – Kyle Kuzma can rebound, is great on defense
You guys better be ready for something special...... @JoshHart_3 @ZO2_ @nolimittb31 @kylekuzma Welcome to the family, and congratulations!
— Larry Nance (@Larrydn22) June 23, 2017
Kuzma is a rebounding machine. Last season he averaged 9.3 rebounds, which were almost double his sophomore season of 5.7. Despite the huge jump, Kumza did it in almost the same amount of total minutes.
In addition to rebounds, he stole the ball from his opponents 18 times, also an increase from last seasons 12 steals. Lastly, Kuzma averaged .5 blocks per game. He landed in third place in the Pac-12 in rebounding percentage.
Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 6/23/2017.
Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 6/23/2017.
Reason No. 1 – Kyle Kuzma is not a Freshman,
Kuzma has three years experience playing against difficult Pac-12 players who he will play against in the NBA.
I am one of those, a fan who is a parent who does not believe in the one-and-done rule, either straight out of high school or two years in college is the way I would like to see it. In other words, players out of high school would play for the South Bay Lakers in the G-League, learn the system and move into the Lakers rotation just like Ivica Zubac did so nicely last season.
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The Kobe Bryants and LeBron Jameses of the world are far and few between, and the fans expectations are way too high for any lottery draft pick.
Lonzo Ball will be great, but not in the first year. The team has to come together and simmer a bit and get ready for next season’s two stars to join the team.
That said, Kuzma has two more years of experience playing college basketball at a high level for a very astute coach. Each season he has gotten better and better. Rebounding and three-pointers seem to be his specialty, and you can call him a sharpshooter because of his high completion percentages.
These are just a few reasons why Kuzma was a great pick for true Lakers, but here are a few more from Jonathan Givony of Draft Express:
Kuzma was interviewed after being drafted by Lakers Nation, here is that interview. He and Toronto Raptors Delon Wright played together. Wright was drafted No. 20 in the 2015 NBA Draft and last season played for both the Raptors and their G-League affiliate Raptors 905.
Next: Full 2017 NBA Draft First Round Grades
Kuzma was a great pick, Luke’s pick, and an under the radar pick. His workouts with the Lakers went well, and you can bet this draft pick had Luke Waltons stamp all over it. Welcome to the Lakers Kyle!