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Los Angeles Lakers: Kyle Kuzma makes Rookie of the Year pick

By Kenneth Teape

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 3: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz and Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers speak after the game between the two teams on April 3, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 3: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz and Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers speak after the game between the two teams on April 3, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma weighed in on who he believes should win the Rookie of the Year award for this season.

The Los Angeles Lakers received some excellent performances from rookies this season. Each of the three selections Los Angeles showed that they can be a part of the Lakers young core going forward.

With the No. 2 overall pick, the Lakers picked UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball. While he struggled with his jump shot, Ball showcased excellent playmaking and passing abilities. His defense was also better than advertised.

With the 30th pick, the Lakers landed Villanova guard, Josh Hart. Hart’s all-around game was on display whenever he received a chance to play. He wasn’t in the rotation much to begin the season, but when injuries occurred he was inserted.

Hart played so well, he even took over a starting spot when Ball went down with an injury. He played his way into a rotation spot. In the final four games of the season, Hart scored at least 20 points in every one, showing off his scoring ability as well.

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At No. 27 is where the Lakers really hit a gold mine. Kyle Kuzma was selected out of Utah and proved quickly to be the steal of the draft. Kuzma dominated throughout the Las Vegas Summer League and NBA preseason. At each step, people questioned Kuzma’s production, but he carried it right into the regular season.

Kuzma finished the season averaging 16.1 points per game, which was tied for the team lead with Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle. Kuzma knocked down 159 3-pointers on the season. He also added 6.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

Normally, those statistics would be a shoe-in for NBA Rookie of the Year. This season, Kuzma will have to settle for third place, at best. This year, it is a two horse race between Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz and Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Kuzma finished the season second in scoring and fifth in rebounding amount rookies. Mitchell led all rookies averaging 20.8 points per game. Simmons was third in scoring among rookies and led all rookies in rebounding and assists. The biggest difference between the three is that Mitchell and Simmons helped lead their respective times into the postseason, Kuzma did not.

The debate between Mitchell and Simmons is a heated one. Kuzma weighed in on it during a recent appearance on ESPN’s The Jump.

"“I mean, they’re both great players at the end of the day. They both put up phenomenal numbers, triple-doubles, both teams are in the playoffs. For me, I would probably pick Mitchell. Just for the simple fact he’s in the West, it’s a lot harder, and to lead them to a fifth seed in the West… They could be [co-Rookies of the Year].”"

One of the biggest knocks against Simmons is the debate of whether he is truly a rookie. It is the same issue that arose when Blake Griffin won for the 2010-11 season after missing his rookie season because of an injury. David Robinson was selected in 1987 by the San Antonio Spurs but didn’t make his debut until the 1989-90 season, when he won the Rookie of the Year award.

Simmons and Griffin were in a different situation than Robinson was in. Hence, they should not be included in the Rookie of the Year award race the year later. Getting what is essentially a redshirt season in the NBA provides them with a huge advantage compared to a true rookie.

It is something Kuzma also believes should play a part of the voting process.

"“It’s a little different, at the same time I understand everybody’s debate. But, I mean, you’re in an NBA system for a whole entire year, you’re training, you’re getting paychecks, you’re adjusting to life sooner than a rookie who would have to be playing at the same time. I see both, but I’d probably say if you’re a rookie with your true class, like that.”"

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The debate about whether Simmons is truly a rookie or not is a mute point at the end of the day. He is considered a rookie by the rules set forth by the NBA, and should be treated as one. That doesn’t make the decision any easier, as both Mitchell and Simmons are deserving of the award. If they end up being co-winners, it wouldn’t be a surprise.

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