The month of February has universally been a time for adoration. From the sultry aroma of dewy rose pedals, the candlelit dinners and losing to the Atlanta Hawks — well maybe not that last thing.

Let’s face it, the Lakers are not very good right now.

This season’s aspirations, which were not much different from those storied of yesteryear, have been met with foibles around every corner. The team (28-29) will head into a much needed All-Star break once again below .500, and still outside of the playoff picture.

Los Angeles has been deflated with injuries, seen their once elite defense deteriorate in front of their eyes and have dealt with a tremendous amount of drama — even by the Lakers’ standards. In short, it has been a frustrating season.

But there are slivers of silver linings for optimism if you squint hard enough. Namely the potential still present in the team’s young players and their value going forward. One of the prime examples of this is the growth and intriguing effectiveness in the team’s versatile scoring sophomore, Kyle Kuzma. Who has become a surprising lovable weapon within the team’s offense.

Behind some statistical improvements, and simplicity to his game, Kuzma has seen enough incremental upticks this season that should raise genuine optimism about his future value. Which on a team that is suddenly becoming depleted of young talent, is enormously crucial.

Finish What You Start

Despite seeing a massive spike in his perimeter shooting this season, Kuzma has upped his true-shooting percentage from his rookie year behind some big improvements in the restricted area. As his Player Grades point out, Kuzma’s Finishing and his Roll Gravity have both jumped significantly.

According to Cleaning the Glass, Kuzma has improved his efficiency within four feet by a whopping nine percent this season. And while his work from within 14 feet is slightly down, he still in the 71st percentile among his position in the “short-mid” thanks to his awesome touch in his in-between game.

Lebron James’ arrival definitely has helped create more wiggle room on the floor for Kuzma to operate, but to his credit, he has jumped at the opportunity.

Standing at 6’9″ Kuzma has an impressive knack in playing off-the ball. Often attempting to back cut his defender, or simply flashing to the middle of the paint, Kuzma has a solid nose on when and where to make his move.

Which in today’s era of various Uber-skilled high usage players, is not only a highly attractive skill-set, but makes him a go-to option for his teammates.

Kuzma’s ability to carve an opening, and simple movement during a James’ led possession has in fact made him the prime target for the King this season.

James has assisted on Kuzma-made baskets at nearly double the rate of the next closest Laker, JaVale McGee. The number as glaring as it is, could easily be more if Kuzma were merely converting his looks from three at an average clip this season.

Yet, despite still struggling with his outside shot, Kuzma’s aforementioned off-ball work and improved finishing has cemented an encouraging offensive chemistry between the sophomore and veteran on offense.

Fitting In

One of the hardest aspects of modern day team building is 1) getting star talent 2) getting more star talent and 3) optimize the stars by getting supplementary talent that can fit in without hindering effectiveness.

It is still unknown if Kuzma will be able to slot into either of those first two markers, but he at the very least has shown an impressive ability to be effective on a team with a mega usage player and multiple primary ball-handlers. Which is no easy task for a young player.

One of the biggest ways Kuzma has achieved this is by being able to defer to his teammates, and allow them to set his dinner plate. On the season, Kuzma is averaging five assisted makes per contest, which is the highest rate on the Lakers according to NBA’s tracking data.

This could be seen even further in his overall assist/make ratio. Last season Kuzma was assisted on his makes 65% of the time, this season that number has jumped to 69%

Which begs the question, why has Kuzma not only been successful, but being actively sought out by his teammates? The answer, he simply does not hold on to the ball.

Whether if it’s a curl off a screen, or darting off his man, Kuzma likes to play hot potato with the rock once he catches it. That is, either it goes up immediately or he kicks it out, but most of the time it goes up.

The combination of his instinctual knack for reading and reacting, in concert with his size and footwork makes for a dynamic and unique scoring option. Kuzma does not run the typical primary  play types one would assume he would based on his national perception and points per game total. And his 3-point shooting has nosedived.

But yet, he is getting by simply by making himself available.

Among the players in the NBA who are averaging at least 19 points a game (38 players) Kuzma is only behind Klay Thompson in terms of the fewest amount of touches a contest per Second Spectrum.

An impressive feat, that encapsulates the value Kuzma could have on a team with not one, but potentially two upper-echelon players in the potential near future.

The leagues’ best players have always been the ones who were unique, and whose abilities simply outmatched their opposition. Yet, for those players like Kuzma, fitting in and excelling in a role just a notch below those mighty titans is immensely valuable — and necessary — in an era shrouded by excellence.

*Stats and Video courtesy of: NBA.com | Cleaning the Glass | PBP Stats.

Featured Graphic per: Aidan Lising.