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Los Angeles Lakers: Kyle Kuzma heaps praise on coaching staff

By Kenneth Teape

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 19: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers listens to head coach Luke Walton in the second half of a game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 19, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 110-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 19: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers listens to head coach Luke Walton in the second half of a game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 19, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 110-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma heaped praise on Luke Walton and the coaching staff for helping him make the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

The Los Angeles Lakers young core had an impressive 2017-18 season. Their rookies played exceptionally well, as they hit a gold mine in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart were all selected in the first round. All three had impressive seasons, as Ball and Kuzma landed on the NBA All-Rookie Teams. Ball was on the second team, while Kuzma was on the first team.

Kuzma made the first team with Ben Simmons, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum and Lauri Markkanen. On the second team, Ball was joined by Dennis Smith Jr., John Collins, Josh Jackson and Bogdan Bogdanovic.

He said making the All-Rookie team was one of his individual goals for the season

"“That was one of the goals I had at the beginning of the year,” Kuzma said from the Lakers’ facility shortly after the NBA made the official announcement. “Wrote it down on Media Day. Everybody had a type of goal, and that was mine. To see it come true is pretty rewarding.”"

Kuzma quickly proved to be a steal for the Lakers. He dominated the Las Vegas Summer League and carried that success into the preseason and regular season as well. His scoring prowess was on display throughout.

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Kuzma averaged 16.1 points per game, which tied for the team lead along with Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle. He was second among rookies in points per game, trailing only Mitchell. He knocked down 36.6 percent of his 3-pointers, putting to rest any doubts people had that he could become a stretch-4 in the NBA.

His 3-point shooting was the seventh best among rookies, while his 6.3 rebounds per game was fifth best among rookies.

Kuzma played very well during his rookie season. He deserves credit for preparing himself for the NBA, but he also heaped praise onto head coach Luke Walton and the rest of the coaching staff.

"“From Day 1 they let me be who I am,” Kuzma said.“A lot of rookies don’t come into the league and have the type of leeway that coach Walton and the staff gave me. A lot of it goes to them. Of course I’m out there doing what I do but to have a leash like that as a rookie definitely helped.”"

That freedom helped Kuzma gain confidence throughout the season. Even when he would go through a cold spell, Walton would stick with him and continue calling his number.

The confidence for Kuzma and all the young players rose as the season went on. Once they were comfortable in the system and Walton let them play, they provided results.

Next: Kyle Kuzma's Top 5 Games Of 2017-18 Season

Kuzma and the young players are key to Los Angeles getting things back on track. As long as Walton and the coaching staff continue instilling confidence in the players and developing them, the Lakers are heading in the right direction.

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