The ROTY/Rookie Discussion Thread, Part III

[LordCovington33]

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The guy's a highlight machine.

Flashy dunk, but not the sort of play I would want from my future franchise star who has had an ACL injury. Gotta protect those knees.

[LakersSoul]

Kuzma went 5-7 from 3 and just torched the Cs with his shooting and passing. In fact, I think Kuzma swished all 5 of his 3 pointers tonight, no rim job. 28/4/3 with ZERO turnovers. Flawless game.

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[Cappy_Smurf]

Yeah, that 4th quarter by Kuzma was really impressive. He was just throwing up shots like it was nothing. Dialed-in would be the perfect way to describe it. I honestly think he could have had a blindfold on and still swished those shots. That's how good of a feel he had for the rim.

He's going to be a beast.

[Pharmcat]

kuzma is the steal of the draft what a player!

[draftnightsuit]

Kuzma is the reason why the Lakers need to avoid big name free agents. Just keep developing young talent.

They need to put him next to a 7 footer who can rebound, protect the rim and anchor the defense.

[Cafu]

Kuzzz>>>>ZO>>>> Tatum just kidding

To be fair Kuzma was kind of hitting the rookie wall a little bit earlier. His shots and everything had no legs at all. But luckily the coaching staffs challenged him to focus more on defense and playmaking and he played through the funk while making improvements both on D and playmaking.

[cool007]

I think Kuzma had an extra juice last night and was out to prove that he is a better rookie than Tatum. He proved it alright.

Love this kid. Lakers found a gem and eventually Lonzo will figure it out and be a great player. Should build around these 2.

[PhilBlackson]

kuzma is the steal of the draft what a player!

Considering Mitchell could end up ROTY, didn't even get selected in the top 10 and could be their franchise player I would say he is.

[Pharmcat]

kuzma is the steal of the draft what a player!

Considering Mitchell could end up ROTY, didn't even get selected in the top 10 and could be their franchise player I would say he is.

mitchell went around his projection

Mitchell is getting looks as high as #8 from New York, and has a great chance to be picked 11th by Charlotte as a complement to Kemba Walker, or 12th by Detroit to operate in between Reggie Jackson and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. If not, don't expect him to fall very far past Miami (#14), Portland (#15) or Chicago (#16) at the absolute worst. - Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Donovan-Mitchell-84680/ ©DraftExpress

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Donovan-Mitchell-84680/

[GameBredAPBT]

Mitchell is the Giannis or klay, etc of the draft. I dunno that he was picked low enough to be considered a steal, per say.

Kuzma is a Jimmy Butler type pick. A true steal.

Watch the Lakers move him & Ingram for Paul George LOL

[draftnightsuit]

kuzma is the steal of the draft what a player!

Considering Mitchell could end up ROTY, didn't even get selected in the top 10 and could be their franchise player I would say he is.

Mitchell was a lottery pick selected 15 picks ahead of Kuzma. I’d say Kuzma is easily the bigger steal.

[Cappy_Smurf]

mitchell went around his projection

So did Kuzma.

Right now they both look like steals. I think Mitchell is a top 2 player in this draft at worst. I'd put Kuzma at about 3 - 4 right now.

It will be intersting to see how the rest of the year plays out. The last couple of games with Mitchell, it kind of looks like they're trying to get him to create for others more instead of just playing his game. If this continues I expect fewer points and more turnovers.

[GameBredAPBT]

mitchell went around his projection

So did Kuzma.

Right now they both look like steals. I think Mitchell is a top 2 player in this draft at worst. I'd put Kuzma at about 3 - 4 right now.

It will be intersting to see how the rest of the year plays out. The last couple of games with Mitchell, it kind of looks like they're trying to get him to create for others more instead of just playing his game. If this continues I expect fewer points and more turnovers.

Calling Donny Mitch a steal is a stretch. Everyone knew he was likely the most gifted athlete in the draft, there were just some questions surrounding his overall potential. Nevertheless, he was on people's radar.

Kuzma came out of nowhere & would go 3rd or 4th in a redraft behind Donny Boy & LauMarkk, possibly Tatum. That's a steal

[Cappy_Smurf]

Calling Donny Mitch a steal is a stretch. Everyone knew he was likely the most gifted athlete in the draft, there were just some questions surrounding his overall potential. Nevertheless, he was on people's radar.

Kuzma came out of nowhere & would go 3rd or 4th in a redraft behind Donny Boy & LauMarkk, possibly Tatum. That's a steal

He may have come out of nowhere for you, but on the Jazz board we were very aware of him, and lots of us were pissed when we traded with the Lakers for Bradley instead of Kuzma. And Mitchell might be the best player in this draft at #13, so if everybody knew what he would be, he wouldn't have lasted until 13. Calling him a steal is not a stretch at all. Might be an understatement.

But like I said, let's wait and see how the rest of the season plays out. Kuzma was amazing last night, but he's also had his share of stinkers lately. If he was more consistent and a little better defesnively, he might be in consideration for best player in this class.

[PhilBlackson]

mitchell went around his projection

So did Kuzma.

Right now they both look like steals. I think Mitchell is a top 2 player in this draft at worst. I'd put Kuzma at about 3 - 4 right now.

It will be intersting to see how the rest of the year plays out. The last couple of games with Mitchell, it kind of looks like they're trying to get him to create for others more instead of just playing his game. If this continues I expect fewer points and more turnovers.

Well exactly the both we're picked roughly where expected n I'm not saying Kuzma isn't one of the biggest steals, he certainly is. There's just levels to it.

I can totally see Kuzma eventually getting an all star consideration (especially with a rabid LAL fanbase) which is excellent. It's just Mitchell imo has the potential to be one of the top 10-15 players in the league in due time. I think he can potentially be molded to play something like Harden which is likely what Utah sees in him as well hence the desire to teach him to facilitate more yet he can defend very well (something I don't think Kuzma is known for).

It's just my personal belief that drafting a kid who is your franchise player n potential to be a top 15 player in the league in time outside of the top 10 is an even bigger steal than a borderline all-star outside of the top 20. One guy is a great piece to help his team win n the other has the potential to be at center of why they win or lose. The bigger potential impact is what makes it a bigger steal for me.

[GameBredAPBT]

Calling Donny Mitch a steal is a stretch. Everyone knew he was likely the most gifted athlete in the draft, there were just some questions surrounding his overall potential. Nevertheless, he was on people's radar.

Kuzma came out of nowhere & would go 3rd or 4th in a redraft behind Donny Boy & LauMarkk, possibly Tatum. That's a steal

He may have come out of nowhere for you, but on the Jazz board we were very aware of him, and lots of us were pissed when we traded with the Lakers for Bradley instead of Kuzma. And Mitchell might be the best player in this draft at #13, so if everybody knew what he would be, he wouldn't have lasted until 13. Calling him a steal is not a stretch at all. Might be an understatement.

But like I said, let's wait and see how the rest of the season plays out. Kuzma was amazing last night, but he's also had his share of stinkers lately. If he was more consistent and a little better defesnively, he might be in consideration for best player in this class.

I think we have reason to believe that Mitchell's camp informed everyone that he wanted to play for the Jazz. I feel like he would've gone sooner otherwise. Sorry, in the one-&-done era, where the top 20 is a crapshoot & projections are largely meaningless, I can't call Mitchell a steal. He was on everyone's radar, there were just questions surrounding how he would develop.

I wasn't speaking for myself personally re: Kuzma. I was aware of him, but no one knew he would be playing like a top 5 pick, and if they say they did, they're trying to sell you palm trees in Greenland. Even people who were high on him thought he'd be a quality role player at his peak, not the best player on the current Lakers.

Also, when I said Kuzma would go top 3, I meant as of right now in this very moment. He still has the lowest upside out of Mitchell, Markk, Tatum. It'd be a massive success story if he were to wind up being one of the best players in the League a la Butler. However, the odds are still stacked against him.

[levon]

Kuzma went 5-7 from 3 and just torched the Cs with his shooting and passing. In fact, I think Kuzma swished all 5 of his 3 pointers tonight, no rim job. 28/4/3 with ZERO turnovers. Flawless game.

Aw man, that's disappointing.

[mediocrityrules]

Simmons on fire early.

6/9/5 in the first 8.47 of the game.

update: 8/11/5/0/1 in the first quarter alone!

[Dan Z]

mitchell went around his projection

Calling Donny Mitch a steal is a stretch. Everyone knew he was likely the most gifted athlete in the draft, there were just some questions surrounding his overall potential. Nevertheless, he was on people's radar.

Kuzma came out of nowhere & would go 3rd or 4th in a redraft behind Donny Boy & LauMarkk, possibly Tatum. That's a steal

He would definitely go after Tatum. Tatum is younger, is playing well on a winning team, and I think is playing better defense (but I don't know for sure...correct me if I'm wrong).

[LordCovington33]

The sixers should have Australian Heritage Night for every home game. Simmons on triple double watch 2 minutes before half time.