The Lake Show: Why Kyle Kuzma is the most NBA ready Laker

Written by Jeremy Barragan

“It’s just summer league.”  

After watching a relatively unknown rookie out of Utah erupt for 21.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game and claim the Summer League Championship MVP honors, this is exactly what you began to hear from fans and analysts alike.

You can’t blame anyone for being skeptical.  In his sophomore year at Utah, Kyle Kuzma put up just 10.8 PPG on 25% shooting from three. Not exactly numbers that jump out at you.  It wasn’t  until his junior year that things really started to click for the Michigan native.  He set out to better his three-point shot.  He improved from 25% to 32% shooting from beyond the arc, scoring 16.8 PPG in the process.  Regardless, most experts didn’t expect Kuzma to be drafted at all, let alone in the first round.

After a preseason where he averaged 17.3 PPG, the same exact amount as Kevin Durant, you continued to hear the same skeptics.

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First Team All Pac 12 Junior Forward Kyle Kuzma

“It’s just the preseason.”

But, while there were plenty of doubters, there was also a movement to put Kuzma in the starting lineup.  Based on the role he played for the Lakers and the impact he had made in such a small sample size, many felt the fan favorite had earned a starting job.

Then, the starting lineup for the first game was announced.  In underwhelming fashion, Luke Walton chose to start Luol Deng at the three and Larry Nance Jr. at the four in wake of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s two-game suspension.

In his NBA debut, Kuzma failed to make much of an impact, netting only eight points off the bench.  In his second game against the Suns, Kuzma saw a rise in minutes, playing 28 minutes and shooting an impressive 6-7 off the bench.  

He continued this trend in his third taste of NBA action, again seeing a rise in minutes, putting up 20 points in 30 minutes against the Pelicans.

But, while Kuzma was making his case for taking over a starting job, Larry Nance Jr. was also making a case to keep his.  

Averaging 10 points and 7 rebounds per game,  Nance Jr.’s athleticism, and frame fits well into the Lakers high-energy offense.  There really wasn’t a legitimate reason for Luke Walton to take him out of the lineup, seeing how well he was playing on both ends.

But, when it comes to stretching the floor which happens to be a big part of the Lakers offense, Kuzma is the better fit. 

Last year, one of the biggest problems for the Lakers was that Luke Walton was looking to bring the Golden State Warriors offense to  Los Angeles, but the Lakers didn’t have the personnel for him to do so.

With Randle at power forward and a combination of Zubac and Mozgov at center, the Lakers were unable to stretch the floor.  As a result, they finished 20th in three-pointers made over the course of last season.  To make matters worse, a backcourt that consisted of D'Angelo Russell, Lou Williams, and Jordan Clarkson resulted in woeful ball movement, and the Lakers finished  26th in the NBA in assists last season.

This season is quite the opposite.  

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With Lonzo Ball at the helm, the ball is moving around like it hasn’t since the Showtime era.  One of Lonzo’s greatest strengths is his ability to create spacing for others.  Through this, his teammates all seem to get better when he’s on the floor.  It’s what separates him from others and makes him a transcendent passer, not just a good one.   He’s able to put his teammates in the best position to take advantage of their shooting strengths.  

With a frontcourt that consists of Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, and Brook Lopez, the Lakers have the personnel to make the most of Lonzo’s passing and floor spacing abilities.

No one has benefited from Lonzo’s presence more than Kuzma.  The two clicked instantly.  In his time with Lonzo, he’s scored and hit the three more frequently and more efficiently than he ever did at Utah.  With the help of Lonzo, he’s getting opportunities to show the player he’s capable of being.  

Kuzma’s involvement has consisted mostly of catching and shooting, much like Klay Thompson’s role in the Golden State offense.  The Lakers offense and personnel has given him the chance to set his feet and shoot without a hand in his face.  

In the first installment of ROLLING WITH THE CHAMPION, Cari Champion is joined in her Uber by Los Angeles Lakers rookies Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma to talk new fame, rappers, and freestyling before getting them to their final destination.

A lot of Kyle Kuzma’s success can be attributed to being in the right place at the right time.  He’s managed to fit seamlessly into the Lakers offense when the roster around him is right for him to flourish.  Once again, it looks like the stars are aligning for Kuzma. 

In the wake of Larry Nance Jr.’s injury that’s scheduled to keep him out at least a month, he’s finally gotten the opportunity to start.  He’s risen to the challenge again, and has already answered the call with two double-doubles in his first two starts.  

He’s taken advantage of every opportunity in front of him since being drafted by the Lakers and doesn’t expect him to stop now.  He has the starting job, and don’t plan on him giving it back.