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” a ccording 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.

Per Game Table
Season	G	MP	FG	FG%	2P	2P%	3P	3P%	FT	FT%	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	PTS
2014-15	31	8.1	1.2	.456	0.8	.556	0.4	.324	0.6	.556	1.8	0.6	0.0	0.2	3.3
2015-16	36	24.1	4.3	.522	3.9	.578	0.4	.255	1.8	.611	5.7	1.4	0.3	0.4	10.8
2016-17	29	30.8	6.3	.504	5.3	.560	0.9	.321	2.9	.669	9.3	2.4	0.6	0.5	16.4
Career	96	21.0	3.9	.506	3.3	.567	0.5	.302	1.8	.631	5.5	1.5	0.3	0.4	10.1

Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 6/23/2017.

Totals Table
Season	G	MP	FG	FG%	2P	2P%	3P	3P%	FT	FT%	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	PTS
2014-15	31	252	36	.456	25	.556	11	.324	20	.556	55	19	1	5	103
2015-16	36	867	154	.522	141	.578	13	.255	66	.611	206	51	12	16	387
2016-17	29	894	182	.504	155	.560	27	.321	85	.669	271	71	18	14	476
Career	96	2013	372	.506	321	.567	51	.302	171	.631	532	141	31	35	966

Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 6/23/2017.

Feb 4, 2017; Stanford, CA, USA; Utah Runnin’ Utes forward Kyle Kuzma (35) drives with the ball against the Stanford Cardinal during the first half of the game at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

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.