Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel hasn’t talked publicly about lineup rotations, but he should consider sliding Kyle Kuzma to the second unit.
Oftentimes, when a player comes off the bench, we think he’s just notch below the starting group. That’s not always the case. Coaching staffs have to spread roster talent to ensure the second unit features another wave of playmakers who can build, maintain and take over leads. Last year, Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma started 68 games. In the upcoming season, he should become a prolific sixth man.
On the surface, moving Kuzma out of the starting lineup to the bench sounds like a demotion, but head coach Frank Vogel should strongly consider a strategic approach with scoring, lineup fit and the 23-year-old’s growth in mind.
Secondly, we must put more respect on the sixth men across the league. Los Angeles Clippers guard and three-time Sixth Man of the Year award-winner Lou Williams clapped back on Twitter against someone who referenced his reserve role:
You say that as if it’s a diss to me. Lol your favorite team hates seeing me go to the scores table. Trust me https://t.co/VGydggSBZs
— Lou Williams (@TeamLou23) July 6, 2019
Williams took the high road and added some truth to his tweet. Last season, he started in one outing but led the team in points per game (20) among players who finished the season with the Clippers. The 32-year-old gives his squad a reliable scorer and distributor off the bench, which doesn’t allow opponents to take their foot off the gas pedal when the reserves step on the court.
Kuzma doesn’t possess passing skills comparable to Williams, but he’s an efficient scorer, converting 45 percent from the floor and 34 percent behind the three-point line. Vogel hasn’t set his starting lineup yet; perhaps he’d like a wing player who can knock down buckets when LeBron James checks out for a breather.
We’ll examine three reasons why the coaching staff should use Kuzma as a sixth man.