Jerry West

The Numbers Don’t Lie: Kyle Kuzma SHOULD Be an All-Star

He’s outplaying other rookies including Lonzo Ball.

Over the course of the season, almost everyone is saying the same thing: Kyle Kuzma is definitely the steal of the draft. And the Los Angeles Lakers have the Brooklyn Nets to thank for. 
Imagine if the Lakers didn’t trade D’Angelo Russell to the Nets in exchange for Brook Lopez and the rights to pick Kuzma, the 27th pick in the 2017 Draft, the Lakers would have been in a much worse situation owing to Lonzo Ball’s struggles in terms of putting the ball into the basket.  Of course, Lonzo Ball is getting more attention from the media because of the tremendous amount of hype that he got even before the draft and of course, thanks to his equally famous father, LaVar Ball.
While many fans initially thought that Lonzo Ball would be the new face of a franchise who has been enduring long spells of no playoff appearances, they are dead wrong. Who is the Lakers’ scoring leader this season? Not Lonzo Ball. Not Brandon Ingram. It’s the guy wearing the #0, Kyle Kuzma.
Kuzma has been averaging 18 points per game while playing for 31 minutes. He’s making 49% of his shot attempts including 41% of his attempts from the three-point line- leading the Lakers. But what made people go crazy and began campaigning for Kuzma to play in the All-Star Game is his performance in the last two weeks. How good ios Kuzma during that period?
  • 26 points per game
  • 7 rebounds
  • 52% field goal shooting
On Christmas Day against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kuzma exploded for 31 points- the most for a rookie player who played on Christmas Day since LeBron James had 34 back in 2003. No wonder why the King himself was also impressed with #0. Kuzma went 6 for 13 from the three-point line and had 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and a blocked shot. 

Conclusion

Will these numbers equalize to Kyle Kuzma getting a spot in the All-Star Game? Definitely. Rookie of the Year? That’s not impossible. Face of the franchise? YEP! 
For now, Kyle Kuzma is performing as if he’s not a rookie. He may have his down moments but the beauty of it, he keeps on coming back way better and he has already broken many rookie-related records. Example? He became the first rookie since Jerry West to average 25 points, at least, in 3 consecutive games. 
No wonder why many teams are now scratching their heads. They missed the chance to have Kuzma on board. And they missed BIG TIME. 

Top 5 Greatest Shooting Guards of All-Time

Shooting Guard, also known as the “two” or “off guard”, one of the most exciting positions of the game. Their goal is to score points for their team, and must score in various ways and be reliable in crunch time or crucial plays. Most of Shooting Guards are combo guards, guards that can bring up the ball, and can be swingman. In short, there are scorers:

Check this list of players that excelled in this position:

5. Clyde Drexler

          Clyde Drexler was one of the most athletic shooting guards in the NBA. He was a great team player, with his great game on both ends, scoring and assisting in offense and intercepting passes on the defense. He amazed audiences with his tremendous all around play that led him to win a championship in 1995.

NBA Career Statistics:

  • Points – 22,195 (20.4 ppg)
  • Rebounds – 6,677 (6.1 rpg)
  • Assists –  6,125 (5.6 apg)


4. Jerry West


          West is a great combo-guard, assisting like a point guard and scoring like a shooting guard. He was given the nickname “Mr. Clutch” because of his clutch game winners. He had proven that he was great when he recorded a quadruple-double, scoring 44 points, dishing 12 assists, grabbing 12 rebounds and 10 blocks. In his career, he won a championship and a Finals MVP. West is ; “The Logo”, in reference to his silhouette being incorporated into the NBA Logo. 

NBA Career Statistics:

  • Points – 25,192 (27.0 ppg)
  • Rebounds – 5,366 (5.8 rpg)
  • Assists – 6,238 (6.7 apg)

3. Dwyane Wade


          Dwyane Wade made his name very popular in the NBA, and quickly emerged as a productive player and developed into one of the most prominent players in the NBA. He was known for his euro step, splitting defense, windmill crossover, bank shot, post moves, on offense and his ability to intercept passes and chasing down blocks on players taller than him, to prove that he’s a great finisher and defender with his 6 ft 4. In his career, he won three championships (2006, 2012, 2013) and won one NBA 2006 Finals MVP and helped out James winning their last championships.
          Wade signed for the Chicago Bulls this 2016-2017 season.

2. Kobe Bryant


          Kobe really did a great job in his entire 20 seasons playing in the NBA, that made him compared to Michael Jordan. He had proven his self in the NBA, becoming one of the most elite scorers and tenacious defender in the NBA, giving the Lakers five NBA championships (2000, 2001, 20002, 2009, 2010) where he won the Finals MVP from his two last championships and NBA MVP in 2008.

NBA Career Statistics:

  • Points – 33,643 (25.0 ppg)
  • Rebounds – 7,047 (5.2 rpg)
  • Assists – 6,306 (4.7 apg)

1. Michael Jordan

         Michael Jordan excelled in everything about the game. His great performance that dominated in both defensive and offensive end are enough reasons for him to be the greatest shooting guard and be called GOAT. He have done everything he can do and everything possible, because of this he is known around the world to be the greatest basketball player, he had proven this with his awards, titles, and stats.

             In his entire career, he won 6 NBA championships (1991-1993, 1996-1998), 6 NBA Finals MVP and 5 NBA MVP.
             
NBA Career Statistics:
  • Points – 32,292 (30.1 ppg)
  • Rebounds – 6,672 (6.2 rpg)
  • Assists – 5,633 (5.3 apg)