2. Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball pick up the slack
If there is one thing we have seen this season, it is that LeBron James can still carry a team. However, that strategy is not conducive to long-term success. James needs some help.
With a young team, consistency is sometimes difficult to achieve. During this trip, two of the young core, Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma, did their part to pick up the slack alongside James.
Kuzma scored at least 20 points in three out of the four games. The only game he failed to reach the 20-point plateau was the blowout win over the Hornets. He also showcased some excellent playmaking ability, handing out at least three assists in each game. Kuzma is really taking up the mantle as the second go-to guy.
Ball has showcased more aggressiveness offensively in recent games, and that continued on the road. Ball had the triple-double against the Hornets and scored a season-high 23 points with five 3-pointers against the Nets. His defensive stats are also picking up, as he registered three blocks and 11 steals in the four games.
While the wins didn’t come, it was encouraging to see two of the young core play so well. How far this team goes will depend largely on how much the young core provides alongside James. If this is a sign of things to come, the wins should start coming in soon again.