Stop Comparing Lonzo Ball to Kyle Kuzma
Here’s Why It’s Not A Fair Comparison
Lonzo Ball, 20, and Kyle Kuzma, 22, have been topping headlines since the start of the NBA season this Fall. More recently, the spotlight has centered on Ball for his defunct shooting skills and Kuzma, on the polar end of the spectrum, for the substantial points he puts up each night.
As a result, many have drawn comparisons between the two, questioning why Ball, the second-overall pick this year, isn’t shooting as well as Kuzma, the 27th pick.
While both are expected to contribute to the offense, the two were drafted onto the Lakers for their distinct abilities and to play two separate roles.
Read on to find out about their different strengths and the expectations that come with those characteristics.
1. The No. Two vs. The No. 27 Draft Pick
Ball — Drafted For His Passing Abilities
Time and time again, President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson articulated, Ball was selected, with the Lakers number two pick, to be the new leader of the franchise.
Johnson said it ambiguously when he traded budding guard D’Angelo Russell to the Nets,
“D’Angelo is an excellent player. He has the talent to be an All-Star. We want to thank him for what he did for us, but what I needed was a leader. I needed somebody also that can make the other players better, and also that players want to play with”
and he said it more definitively after officially drafting Ball,
“[He’s] the new face of the Lakers, the guy who I think will lead us back to where we want to get to.”
But, what exactly does this mean?
To specify, Johnson said,
“See, some people can pass, but very few people can lead to a scoring pass. And that’s what type of passer he [Lonzo] is. He’s unbelievable. He has a great feel for the game. He understands angles. That’s also difficult. That’s what we saw watching so much tape of him. You see yourself. You see Jason Kidd.”
While this doesn’t excuse Ball’s insufficient shooting abilities as of recently, it does indicate the Lakers franchise views this as secondary to his passing.
And in regards to his passing skills, Ball has proven to be more than adequate. He currently ranks as one of the top 10 players in assists.
Not to mention, Ball became the youngest player in NBA history, as of Sunday, to record multiple triple-doubles as well as the youngest player in franchise history to tally at least 10 assists in a game.
Kuzma — Drafted For His Shooting Abilities
Kuzma, on the other hand, was drafted with the team’s 27th pick for his versatility on the court.
“The way [Head Coach] Luke wants to play, the way Magic and I want to put the team together is that position-less sort of versatility. Kyle fits right in the sweet spot of that.” — Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka
In Kuzma’s introductory press conference to the organization, Johnson elaborated on this, remarking on the franchise’s quest for shooting, toughness, and high basketball IQ.
In regards to Kuzma, Johnson recalled the rookie’s performance at the NBA Draft Combine where he scored seven 3-pointers in a scrimmage.
Prior to that, Kuzma steadily built up his scoring abilities in college — shooting 3.3 points per game as a freshman to 10.8 the next season then 16.4 as a junior.
As a First Team All-Pac-12 selection, he ranked among his college conference’s top five in both scoring and rebounding last season.
2. Point Guard vs. Power Forward
While the guard and forward positions require similar abilities (e.g. shooting, rebounding, dribbling, etc.), they operate differently during the course of a game.
Ball — Must Run The Offense
As the Lakers starting point guard, Ball must run the offense, in other words facilitate scoring opportunities.
In order to do this, Ball needs to have vision. Meaning, as he dribbles the ball up the court, he needs to be aware of where his teammates are, be able to read where they’re going, adjust to the changing spacing on the court, and either effectively place the ball in the right hands for obtainable points or find space to make shots of his own.
While Ball continues to be among the top 10 league leaders in assists, Ball has also been nearing record-breaking scoring lows in recent games.
Fortunately for Ball, because of his superior passing skills, the Lakers franchise has continued to remain patient with his shot.
“I know that he’s out here working. I know that he’s been a good shooter his whole life. I’ve seen him make 10 straight spot shooting. He’s got the skill and the ability. It will only be a matter of time when that percentage starts to go up.” — Lakers Coach Luke Walton
Kuzma — Must Secure The Ball
Kuzma currently plays as the Lakers power forward.
In this role, Kuzma must use his build and strength to withstand the more physical aspects of the game.
On offense, this primarily involves overcoming contact in the paint to rebound the ball. Secondary to rebounding, Kuzma must also have a reliable mid-range shot. Kuzma excels at both these aspects and can also occasionally sink a three-pointer, showing he has an all-around shooting game, making him one of the team’s offensive threats.
On defense, though, is where Kuzma, should be more effective. In the power forward role, Kuzma should be protecting the basket, closing passing lanes, and denying mid-range shots. In regards to his efficiency in this aspect, Kuzma has struggled matching up to larger NBA players and defending the perimeter. Admittedly he said,
“Defensively, I have to improve. All great players, for the most part, are good defenders too. I want to clean up my handle. Get stronger. Those are the things that will help me out in the long run.”
3. Starter vs. Bench Player
Ball — Must Maintain Effectiveness Over Long Spans of Time
As a starter, Ball should undoubtedly be putting in more game-time than the bench because, theoretically, he should be more effective at creating scoring opportunities.
And Ball has proven to do so, achieving his second triple-double of the season Sunday night against the Nuggets.
Throughout the month of October, Ball averaged 34.0 minutes a game while in the current month of November, is averaging 32.5.
In regards to Ball’s shooting struggles, as mentioned before, because of the Lakers’ propensity for Ball’s visionary passes over his shooting, there have been no talks of sending Ball to the bench.
Even after a particularly low shooting night against the Suns where Ball sat out after contributing only two points in 21 minutes, Walton said,
“He’s our starting point guard…So there’s no discussion, no talks as of now of moving Lonzo to the bench. Nah. He’s our starting point guard.”
Kuzma — Must Prove Effectiveness In Short Spans of Time
Kuzma, on the other hand, started the season on the bench, playing an average of 28.1 minutes per game.
Like all bench players, he was expected to play as efficiently as the starters on the team, despite the lack in game-time. One of the reasons being, he has the advantage of scouting the opposition — observing and determining how to disrupt plays as well as searching for weaknesses in the opponent’s defense to exploit. Secondly, bench players, like him, can be more aggressive since it is less likely for them to get fouled out in the time span they’re in the game.
As a bench player, Kuzma fulfilled these expectations, scoring an average 15.7 points a night, paving the way to his starting opportunity after Larry Nance Jr. suffered a hand injury in early November.
In the eight games he’s played as a starter, he has played an average of 34.8 minutes per game and scored an average of 17.4 points per night.
4. One Year vs. Three Years in College
Ball — Has Less Experience
Ball, a one-and-done player, spent a year playing for UCLA before being drafted to the Lakers.
Despite his exceptional playmaking skills, rocketing to the NBA from college has put Ball in a disadvantage in more ways than one.
For example, Ball has significantly fewer games under his belt in comparison to draftees who opted to play more than a single year in college. (Ball played 36 games for UCLA in the 2016–2017 season.) Thus, arguably translating to occasional imprudent judgment calls at the NBA level.
Not to mention, Ball waived years of building up muscle through his college’s strength training and nutrition programs, instead entering the league at 6'6" and 190 pounds. With more muscle, Ball could’ve been a better match-up against the NBA’s stronger players in his first season.
Kuzma — Has More Experience
Kuzma, conversely, spent three years at Utah before being drafted to the Lakers.
In those three years, Kuzma played 96 games. In those 96 games, he built up his offensive arsenal. E.g. cutting to create space and an open pass, attacking the paint and finishing at the rim, sinking jumpers, tightening his handle, tightening his footwork, and more.
As for the physical aspect of his game, Kuzma, 6'9" and 220 pounds, played against the likes of Caleb Swanigan, a 6'8"–250 pound big man from Purdue, and Cameron Oliver, also a forward but at 6'8" and a lighter 225 pounds, in college, ultimately translating to his recent rebounding successes as a Laker.
At one point Kuzma, 6'9" may have weighed in at 190 pounds, according to SportsReference.com. Now he comes in at 220 pounds.
Aware of his medium build in comparison to the the NBA’s larger players, (i.e. Anthony Davis, Draymond Green, LaMarcus Aldridge, etc.), Kuzma referenced his intention to pack on more muscle to help his defensive game,
“I want to be a great two-way player in this league, and I think I have the ability to do that. Just getting stronger and keep adding range on my jump shot.”
Comprehensively, Ball and Kuzma operate in different spheres on the court. Fortunately for the Lakers, as evidenced by Summer League and the first month of the season, their varying styles of play seem to complement each other so much that, both of their names regularly rotate into the news cycle. As of now, both are on track to be serious contenders for Rookie of the Year. Whether or not this happens, or are even able to extend their team’s win-loss record beyond last year’s 26–56 remains to be seen.
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