Los Angeles Lakers: Power ranking the team’s top players after Week 1
4. Kyle Kuzma
I bounced back and forth between Jordan Clarkson and Kyle Kuzma for this spot. Both have performed tremendously well off the bench, but one always seems to be in the game when it matters most. That would be the rookie, who has clearly earned the trust of this coaching staff.
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Then again, does that really come as a surprise? Kuzma was a revelation during NBA Summer League and the preseason, putting together one impressive performance after another. Now that we’re on to real game action, the 2017 first round pick hasn’t let off the gas. His efficiency hasn’t been as high, but no one really expected it to be.
Still, Kuzma is shooting with confidence, making big-time shots and proving to be an offensive force despite his youth. Although he’s only shooting 25 percent from 3-point range, he’s sank a couple of clutch shots and has drained 53.5 percent of his attempts from the field.
The kid can ball, and figures to only get better as the season rolls along. Once he further adjusts to the speed, physicality and minimal margin for error of the NBA, he’ll elevate his game to another level. Even if that takes until the end of the season, he’ll still be a superb asset for this Lakers lineup.
I’d like to see his 3-point percentage improve, and he could be making a larger impact on defense. And yet, he’s playing about as well as you can expect for the No. 27 overall selection.