Better Rookie: Ball or Kuzma

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The Lakers have a not so promising record at 13-27 about halfway during the season. But that doesn't mean they don't have a promising team. They have two young pieces in Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma. They also have a much better Brandon Ingram than last year. But the question that has people at the edge of their seats is who is the better rookie.

Lonzo Ball or Kyle Kuzma.

Shooting

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Although Lonzo has improved his shot over the past couple of games, he has been shooting atrociously from beyond the arc.

He is shooting 35% from the field and just under 30% from deep.

Just because of how bad Lonzo's shooting has been Kyle Kuzma would anyway win by default.

Kyle Kuzma is shooting a much better 46% from the field and 39% from deep.

This is an easy pick.

Pick: Kuzma

Playmaking

Just like how shooting was this isn't really close at all either. Lonzo is arguably the best passer to come into the league since Steve Nash.

Although Lonzo is much better than Kuzma at playmaking Kuzma isn't bad. It's just that Ball is that good. He makes full court passes with ease. Throws perfect halfcourt alley-oops. Lonzo is just unbeatable when it comes to passing.

He is averaging a rookie high 7.1 assists per game(Not counting Ben Simmons as rookie). To put into perspective how crazy that number is, Dennis Smith Jr. who is averaging the second most assists among rookies is only averaging 4.5 assists per game.

This is very clear.

Pick: Lonzo

Defense

This is not as straightforward as the previous two were. You would think that Kuzma has the edge here. But when you dive down deeper you find something else.

Lonzo is averaging 1.5 steals per game and a block per game. Kyle Kuzma is averaging 0.5 steals and 0.5 blocks per game. Lonzo is second in the league in steals only behind Ben Simmons. He is also leading all rookie guards in blocks per game.

Lonzo has a 2.3 defensive box plus/minus, whereas Kuzma has a -1.5 defensive box plus/minus per basketball-reference.com

When Lonzo is on the court the Lakers are much better defensively than when Kuzma is on the court.

At this point it doesn't even look close. Lonzo is far ahead of Kuzma in this Category. Kuzma is working on it as a rookie, but the 21 year old Lonzo Ball seems to be ahead.

Pick: Lonzo

Rebounding

When you think of rebounding you normally think of forwards. Which Kuzma is. But when you look at the stats you may see that things are not always how you think they are.

Lonzo is leading rookie guards in rebounds with 7.1 per game. Lonzo is also second in rebounds among guards, only behind Russell Westbrook. In comparison Kuzma is averaging 6.3 rebounds per game.

Both are good rebounders, but here Lonzo takes the edge.

Pick Lonzo

Final Verdict: Lonzo Ball

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