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Los Angeles Lakers: Kyle Kuzma working to improve defensively

By Kenneth Teape

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 11: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a photo during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG training center on August 11, 2017 in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Babineau/Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 11: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a photo during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG training center on August 11, 2017 in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Babineau/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers rookie power forward Kyle Kuzma is working hard on his defense this offseason.

With the 27th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Utah power forward, Kyle Kuzma. It was a selection that confused plenty of people. Kuzma was believed to be a stretch to be selected at No. 27. However, Kuzma has begun to prove those doubters wrong.

During the pre-draft process, a lot of attention was paid to Kuzma’s shooting percentages in college. Kuzma is a gifted scorer, but his range was limited as he wasn’t a great three-point shooter.

That didn’t stop the Lakers from liking what they saw in workouts. The Lakers liked what they saw mechanically from Kuzma, believing it would translate to the NBA. So far so good.

Kuzma’s first action with the Lakers came in the Las Vegas Summer League and he did not disappoint. He looked great offensively, scoring in a number of different ways. Where he was most impressive was from beyond the three-point line.

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Kuzma ended up knocking down 48 percent of his three-point attempts. It would be unfair to assume he carries that over to the regular season, but the improvement in his stroke was evident.

Kuzma took home the MVP award from the championship game. He scored 30 points, knocking down six three-pointers, to go along with 10 rebounds. It was an award winning performance, but one that Kuzma doesn’t put too much stock into.

“That’s the small fry in the fish bowl,” Kuzma says in reference to his Summer League Championship MVP Award.

We all know that Kuzma can score; he showcased that in college and in Las Vegas. Can he bring the same production defensively?

The Lakers plan to use Kuzma in a number of different ways during his rookie season. If the Summer League is any indication, he has the versatility to play either small forward or power forward.

If Los Angeles stays the course, Kuzma will have a lot of responsibility on defense, something he is working diligently on this offseason.

"“Rookie year’s gonna be hard enough (with) playing all the games and getting used to guarding the heavy names every night,” Kuzma says. “For me it’s just defense. Offense is gonna come, because I can score the ball.”"

Kuzma’s peers think highly of him as well. He was voted in the top-five for Rookie of the Year, best career and best shooter. That is some solid praise for a draft that had big time prospects such as Markelle Fultz, Lakers teammate Lonzo Ball, Jayson Tatum and Josh Jackson.

Next: 3 Reasons Kyle Kuzma Was A Smart Pick

If Kuzma can show some defensive ability, his ceiling will only rise. He has shown he can score; if he gets it done on the other end of the court the sky is the limit for the versatile forward.

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