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Los Angeles Lakers: Kyle Kuzma says Lonzo Ball taking weight room more seriously

By Kenneth Teape

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 28: Kyle Kuzma #0 and Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers wait on the court during a time out in the game against the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on March 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) 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.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 28: Kyle Kuzma #0 and Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers wait on the court during a time out in the game against the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on March 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) 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. /
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Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball is taking the weight room more seriously this offseason according to Kyle Kuzma.

The Los Angeles Lakers youngsters wasted no time getting back to work following the conclusion of the 2017-18 season. Los Angeles didn’t qualify for the playoffs for a fifth consecutive season, but there were plenty of positives to take away from the season.

The Lakers increased their win total by nine games, which is impressive in itself. That number probably could have been higher had injuries not derailed the team at multiple times during the season.

Brandon Ingram played in only 59 games in the regular season. Lonzo Ball played in 52. Without their two best playmakers, the Lakers struggled at times to score when both were sidelined.

This offseason is an important one for the young Lakers. We saw last season the impact and improvements a player can make in the summer, as Ingram looked like a totally different player in Year 2 after struggling Year 1. The team is hoping that can happen again.

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One player whose offseason workouts will be under the microscope is Ball. He had a strong rookie season, but everyone points to his shooting percentages. Ball did not shoot the ball well in his rookie season. He made 36 percent of his shots, 30.5 percent from the 3-point line and 45.1 percent from the foul line.

Improving on all of those percentages will be key to Ball’s continued development. If he can become a more consistent threat offensively, it will open things up on that end of the court.

One way to improve offensively is improving your strength. Ball could stand to add some size and weight to his frame. It worked for Ingram and countless other NBA players in the past. It could also help Ball’s durability as he dealt with multiple injuries in his rookie season.

While there aren’t many videos of Ball working out, his teammates say he is working hard. Kuzma, who has posted plenty of videos of him working out this offseason, said Ball is working hard and taking it more seriously this offseason.

"“Consistency in the weight room. That’s the biggest thing. He’s been in there pretty much every day that I have,” Kuzma said following a workout of his own.“You can tell he’s taking the weight room a lot more serious. That’s going to help him by allowing him to recover faster and hopefully next [season] be on the court more.”"

Just as it is on the court, building consistency off of it is important as well. Getting into a workout routine and sticking to it is key to finding success in the offseason. With how busy the NBA schedule is it is difficult for players to work on their game.

The offseason and summer provide players with ample time to work on their body and game that isn’t afforded during the rigors of the regular season.

Next: Lonzo Ball's Top 5 Games In 2017-18

Bulking up is something that general manager Rob Pelinka mentioned as a goal for Ball this offseason. It sounds like it is something that he is taking seriously and aiming to do as well.

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