Son needs to get a couple of rebounds...1 rebound is just not good enough for a PF. I can live with him getting 1 assists with all the playmakers out there but he is awful at rebounding these days. He is averaging 5 rebounds which is terrible. He is too athletic for that to be the case especially on this team where we have struggled to rebound.
The thing for Kuz that's getting him more love from fans isn't just that he hits shots but he seems to hit him when they really count. The advanced stats for Players Clutch seem to reflect that too as he and Hart generally only trail LeBron from game to game in that metric. Hart is currently tops on the team in that category. People will always flock to players who step up in big moments and that's part of why fans are flocking to Kuz and Hart right now.
That said, his rebounding and defense definitely need to improve. I don't see him ever being a great defender but he can certainly improve and at least be a solid one. Rebounding too.
I actually see this as a good thing... this builds camaraderie and makes for a fun atmosphere. I love it! It means that Kuz feels comfortable enough to razz LeBron. Good stuff! LeBron is going to love being around the youngsters.
coaching staff need to emphasize to our guys to STOP ball watching, ALL of them do it and consistently get back doored
A lot of people are voicing disappointment about Lonzo and BI. I'm not bummed on either of them one bit. The guy who has most disappointed me is Kuz and it's not totally his fault. First thing - Kuz is not scoring as efficiently as he did when he broke out as the SOTD last season. His three ball isn't falling like it did, and I think that's the biggest thing. His cuts off ball with Lebron are great, but last year he just seemed to score at will much of the time and from anywhere on the court. He simply doesn't look as good right now in that department. But the biggest issue for me with Kuz is that his defense flat out sucks. We are getting killed in first quarters when he and Lebron are in together with Kuz as a starter. We can't afford to keep doing that, IMO. Luke is to blame for that. Kuz looked good as a substitute for Ingram with the starters when BI was suspended but there was no reason that he should be promoted to full time starter. Hart has been our most consistent player other than Lebron and did a great job earlier in the season as a starter. We need him back in that role. And Kuz is best served off the bench where we can hide his lack of D and emphasize his scoring ability.
If you sign an established star that plays the same position as a young developing player, it seems crazy to think it would not affect their play and role. My guess is they want to see who rises to the occasion before deciding who to trade. And if they end up signing a well known max FA again next year, this decision will need to be made once again. For sure two of the young guys are gone in my book. I expect it will probably be Kuzma and BI if we land KD or Kawhi. Ball might be gone anyways with Rondo here and a developing BongA in the wings. Roster continuity.... a pipe dream.
Alright, I'll say it, this guy has regressed. So much talk over the summer and not a lot to show for it.
I am just mystified as to why Kuz is still starting. Someone explain it to me please. I know he took Ingram's place when Brandon served a suspension. That made sense. But why, for goodness sake is he still in there? He hasn't been playing well as a starter, he doesn't really fit there and the D isn't good with him in. His scoring has dropped off because of the way he's being used right now. I just don't get it.
