I mentioned Horry early on because it seemed similar Js but someone said Horry was "more" athletic coming out?
Just going through this thread from the beginning and felt the need to quote this...This post was before the first summer league game SeasonVet24=Prophet?
Since we are all trying to do Kuzma comparisons to see what his ceiling could be.... Kuzma’s game, body, mobility actually reminds me of Rashard Lewis, who was very good in Seattle and in his early years on the Dwight Howard Orlando Magic. I heard Mike Trudell on the Mason and Ireland show last week try to make the comparison that Kuzma reminds him of Jimmy Butler. I didn’t understand that since their body type and game are nothing alike, but he was trying to say it in the sense that Butler was the 30th pick in his draft class and became an allstar so Kuzma is like him because of the late first round similarities...,
I sure did. I'm glad to be wrong. I find a small comfort knowing basically all other team's scouting departments were wrong too.
When he was a Sun this is what we remember and love him for. (amazingly no video footage) "Towelgate The Suns saw the C Bags pull away in fourth quarter. At some point, Ainge opted to pull Horry, who was working on another masterpiece and was 1-4 from the field on the night. Astonishingly, I cannot find a single video on the internet of the incident (if you can find one, put it in the comments and I'll add it ASAP), so I can only provide you a play-by-play account of what happened next. Ainge sat defeated as the game pulled away. The 6'9 forward stood above him, the fateful towel slung loosely around his neck. Ainge said some words, looking particularly exasperated. Horry was animated, as his temper was clearly beginning to flare. A hush seemed to fall over the Suns bench, as Horry seemed to be saying something along the lines of "WTF?" Ainge, known for having quite the temper himself, seemed to raise his voice at the petulant big man. Then the shot was fired. The once harmless towel was flung into the face of Ainge, still seated at the moment of impact. Horry turned his back to Ainge, who by this time had freed his unfortunate face of the weapon, which, along with his dignity, fell limply to the floor. Early eye-witness accounts reported an anonymous towel-thrower somewhere in the vicinity of the scorer's table, and there were reports of conspirators armed with towels gathering in a nearby Boston pub on the evening of January 4, but neither reports were founded. It was the work of a lone towel-slinger, and that man was none other than supreme jacka** Robert Horry." (written from Sun fan's perspective, not LTLakerFan's) Ainge after removing towel from face and Horry menacing him from above..... :Headbang: He was a Laker soon thereafter and the legend of Big Shot Rob was born.
I don't know if Horry was more athletic. I remember him and they seemed equal. Horry maybe had a bit more raw athleticism, but it seems like Kuz had smoother body control. He seems to slide around into places. Horry always seemed a bit more jerky. I know that one of Horry's legs was longer than the other by a couple inches
Kuzma seems to never miss a beat...if his 3 would fall more consistently, he would be like an all-star caliber player right now lol.
He's a terrific fit in the starting lineup offensively, but to be fair he'd be a perfect fit in any lineup offensively. As he gets more experience, he'll get the timing down better and better defensively. I don't expect that necessarily this season, but I do expect it at some point. He's still more of a great complimentary player than a natural creator himself, but putting him next to a natural creator like Lopez makes Kuz so dangerous. If he keeps playing this way I don't see any way you can put Larry back into the starting lineup when he gets back.
This guys a real SOD. Is there really any doubt he's the unequivocal Steal Of the Draft? Those who snooz'd, get Kuz'd!
He needs to stay in the starting lineup. The space he creates for Ingram, Brook and Zo is just immeasurable then having a floating Larry out there. Larry will probably be a better compliment next to Randle and Clarkson anyway.
It's crazy because I expect him to go out and play like an experienced solid NBA starter , I'm not even surprised anymore ... He's a top 3 rookie so far , not sure what happened in the draft ... It would be interesting to know when was the last time a late 1st pick has been this good from the get go
