Los Angeles Lakers grades, the younglings:
Kyle Kuzma: B-
The up and down streaming player enjoyed some highs at certain points of the season, but like most times, he also enjoyed some lows. He did average 12.9 points per game which is a little more than last year as well as 6.1 rebounds, while he shot 44% from the field which was the second-lowest of his career.
If he could only perform at a high rate night after night. Kuzma has the talent to be a hardcore star night after night but that’s the thing. Night after night, we see a different type of player. One of the many good things about him is how he has been able to adjust his game to what the team needs at times as he has filled in well with rebounding and defense during the season.
Kuzma could be a leader. The team kept him because they believe in him. Had he gone to another team, I am sure that he would be scoring over 20 points a game and then some. Come the playoffs there is one thing that is for sure and that is that the Lakers need Kuzma to be the player they paid him to be.
Talen Horton-Tucker: B+
This young man sure has improved his game all over as he scored 9.0 points per game and had 2.6 rebounds per game, and 2.8 assists. He did shoot just 28% from three-point but most importantly was his growth this season and the upside he has.
I don’t know how much playing time he is going to receive in the playoffs but I hope whatever it is, he comes in and makes the most of it. For a guy that is just 20 years of age, he is coming along very nicely.
The Lakers know how important of a piece to the puzzle he will be in the future as he continues to improve and show his maturity. THT will only get better and playing among the many talented players that he has among him will only help him to get better.
Frank Vogel made the right move in incorporating him heavily this season. He gave him various opportunities to grow and THT responded wonderfully. I am sure all Laker fans feel good about this guy.