Los Angeles Lakers: Analyzing 2017-18 Goals from start of season

1. Lonzo Ball, Rookie of the Year Winner

Imagine if Lonzo Ball would have had one more rebound in the game against the Suns… Then again, a quick shout out to Markelle Fultz for breaking Ball’s record held previously earlier in the season. This breaks my heart. But what can I say?

This rookie class for the Lakers has been top notch for the first round. After drafting [could-be, but unsure] franchise savior Lonzo Ball in the first round, Magic Johnson managed to pick up two steals in Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart. Needless to say, that worked out well for L.A.

Kuzma has been one of the most heartwarming and ultra-hilarious stories in the NBA this year. A kid out of Flint, Michigan with the passion to play professional basketball. With everyone passing up on him, he slid to No. 27, just in time for Johnson to select him.

Little did he know that Kuzma would be one of the top five rookies in the NBA this year, in my opinion. And if you are a Lakers fan and you do not follow Kuzma on Twitter, what are you doing with your life?

https://twitter.com/kylekuzma/status/967181246454382593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.complex.com%2Fsports%2F2018%2F02%2Fis-kyle-kuzma-coming-for-joel-embiid-social-media-crown%2F

Josh Hart has become more of a “3 & D” player enveloped in the Lakers development system. He’s emerged with multiple double-digit rebound games and also has intensified his defense as the season went on. If you also haven’t noticed, Hart is a huge Fortnite player. He ended off his season with this celebration:

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/984286568843173888

Was I wrong about Lonzo? Not necessarily, even though my opinions swayed on him. Ball managed to go through one-and-a-half months of pain with his shooting mechanics, and a weak stretch of scoring as well. Still, he found ways to exemplify his action on the defensive side of the court.

Ball was named as a top-five PG defender according to Gary Payton, arguably the greatest defensive point guard ever in history. Ball’s vision has emerged as top-12 in the league in my opinion, as well. It seems as if his most vaulted characteristic could entice a top free agent or two this offseason.

Did Ball need to be Rookie of the Year? No. Did Kuzma? No. However, this class of Lakers rookies builds something special in the upcoming years.

Next: 50 Greatest Players In Lakers Franchise History

Only time will tell if Ball can fix his mechanics, if Kuzma can tone it down on social media (jokes aside, he shouldn’t), and Hart can elevate his level on both sides of the court.