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Los Angeles Lakers Report Card: First Quarter Player Grades

By Dominic Torres

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 29: The Los Angeles Lakers huddle before the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 29, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 29: The Los Angeles Lakers huddle before the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 29, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CA – NOVEMBER 22: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on November 22, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

PF/SF Kyle Kuzma (Rookie/Utah)

If you told me on draft day, in the Lakers first 21 games of the season, that an unheralded and unpolished power forward out of Utah would suddenly be the talk of Los Angeles, I would absolutely love for you to disclose your secret location of the crystal ball that told you it would happen. Seriously; did anyone expect this kid to be so good coming out of college?

Kyle Kuzma has seeped himself into the Rookie of the Year conversation over Jayson Tatum, Lauri Markkanen, Donovan Mitchell, and even fellow teammate Lonzo Ball. Although the shadow of Ben Simmons might never fade, the Lakers found a diamond in the rough with the 27th pick which was included from the D’Angelo Russell trade.

Kuzma leads the Lakers in scoring with 16.7 points per game and is also shooting extremely well for a rookie: 50.4 percent overall. Although leaving him on the bench in favor of Larry Nance, Jr. might be a stretch, even for Luke, Kuzma showed up when scoring mattered most.

However, his defense is still lacking. Kuzma currently is averaging 5-to-1 fouls to steals and is among the worst in the league in terms of defensive rating.

Next: Lakers: 5 Positives From First Quarter Of Season

Even then, I never expected a rookie on the Lakers not named Lonzo Ball to capture my attention (as well as Lakers Nation). If the Lakers would not have picked Kuzma and instead another prospect, the story of the season would be quite different. Kuzma has overly exceeded expectations and is in line to have an illustrious rookie campaign.

. PF/SF. Los Angeles Lakers. KYLE KUZMA. A+

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