Kuz doing his part and everything to stay. This has got to earn him more points with Pelinka and Jeanie...
I know Ingram is up for an extension sooner, but he is light years ahead of Kuzma and is 3 years younger. Defensively, the two of them aren't even in the same conversation. Ingram can lock down all-star level talents (he has done so). Offensively, here are last season's splits 18.3 ppg on 49.7% from the field and 33% from three-point range. 5.1 Boards and 3 assists. 18.7 ppg on 45.6% from the field and 30.3% from three-point range. 5.5 Boards and 2.5 assists. Which one is which? The top one is Ingram, the bottom one is Kuzma. Ingram averaged almost the exact same amount of points with better shooting percentages from everywhere on the floor. Despite one playing pf and the other playing sg, Ingram only averaged .4 rebounds less. Kuzma has the swagger, but when actually comparing the two, Ingram is a far superior prospect.
I guess a marginal difference in stats settles it. Never mind who has the motor and aggressiveness to be great. Objectively, Bi may have more upside, but I’ll take the Kuz under the circumstances.
BI likely with same motor to be great and less distractions in his head .... more Kawhi like in that regard. Not that Kuz is distracted. Just is a more media focussed and other activities guy.
marginal...should use defensive metrics than, bi aint eye popping either but hes not all the way at the bottom of the league either
agreed. been a Laker fan for a long time, watch pretty much every single game. as far as being a basketball player, ingram is much better than kuzma. obviously everyone is entitled to their opinion and BI has his weaknesses, but i don't see how objectively... Laker fans can say kuzma is better than ingram? both sides of the ball, ingram is more of a threat and more effective overall. the only edge i will for sure give kuzma is that he's a better overall shooter than BI. that said, if we trade for AD, i really hope ball is kept the most. then ingram or the #4. kuzma is a dime a dozen as far as talent goes IMHO.
Somehow this convo turned into who is better BI or Kuz. I said he is the best young prospect, but was not stating he is better than BI in every category and not even saying who will be best in 5 yrs. I was trying to make the point that, all things considered and with a trade package as the background, I believe Kuz fits better than BI with Lebron and especially if we add AD. That’s it.
fair enough. i do like though how kuz is good without the ball and knows how to move around. so i can definitely understand the fit with AD and lebron when it comes to spacing especially. also, most of us know that BI needs the ball to be effective, unlike kuz.
When all the dust settles after the AD chaos we are left with Kuz. I'd prefer Lonzo or BI as they will be studs I'm thrilled we got to at least keep one of our great young prospects. Kuz, like Ingram, has shown amazing work ethic habits and I can tell really wants it. He can breath a sigh of relief now as all of us fans can too.
Kuz was already a very hungry player to get better. He will only be more excited now for being able to stay with the team he loves and to be playing along side some great with the stake that much higher now. Really glad we got to keep at least one of our youngsters.