Some Notes Heading Into the 2019 Season
These are a few things I want to note as we head into the new year.
-Kyle Kuzma has been on a tear recently in terms of scoring. For the month of December, he's averaged 22.2 ppg (top 20 in NBA) and has done so with a 58.6 TS% and 24.8 USG%. Scoring isn't the only thing he's done (he's also averaged 7 rpg and 3.6 apg), but the scoring has stood out.
-Lonzo Ball has improved as a finisher (even though he still misses too many easy opportunities). His percentage at the rim currently (61.9%) is far better than last year (47.9%) and closer to league average (62.9%). He looks a bit more confident attacking the rim and it's starting to open up a traditional drive and dish/drive and kick game he didn't really have last year.
-Ball still needs to improve as a shooter (31.8% from 3 and 48.6% from FT). What's killing his 3P% is the corner 3. While he's 48/139 above the break (34.5%; league average is 34.4%), Lonzo is 7/34 on corner threes (20.6%; league average is 37.9%).
-Space Jam 2 will be LeBron finding the MonStars who took Kuzma's 3 point shot.
-Shout out to KCP for being one of the few Lakers to hit threes and free throws at a decent level. I swear, it sometimes seems as though the Lakers don't have a full-time shooting coach with the way they shoot.
Happy New Year.