NBA Award Watch: LeBron, Westbrook and Kuzma headline the honors

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PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 20: Kyle Kuzma /

Rookie of the Year

When I say “Los Angeles Lakers,” which rookie do you think of? The No. 2 overall pick, Lonzo Ball, right? The hype train behind Ball was already headed towards the Rookie of the Year stop.

But fellow rookie, Kyle Kuzma, has been the better and more effective player through the first quarter of the season. He’s averaging 16.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. He’s shooting 49.8 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from 3-point range, both of which are impressive marks for a rookie.

They’re 8-12 so far in the season and on pace to finish just outside of the playoffs. But if Kuzma can keep up his scoring threat for the Lakers throughout the season, he might walk away with this award. Considering the hype around his squad and the pressure around Ball, Kuzma has come out and out-performed any expectations that were placed on him.

I’m sure Lakers’ fans are happier that they landed him later in the first round, making their current draft look a lot better than it could’ve been without Kuzma. I know Boston fans are yelling at me on the other side of the screen because Jayson Tatum isn’t being warranted the same attention, but Kuzma’s impact has been larger.

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