Lakers: Ball and Kuzma are one of the best rookie duos of the 2000s
By Jason Reed
2. Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma — 2017-2018 Los Angeles Lakers
Combined rookie stats: 24.9 points, 13.6 rebounds, 8.7 assists
Yes, a lot of things can happen this season and this is based on a very small 13 game sample size. The duo could flop down the line, get tired and stop producing. Placing these two ahead of three great duos after just 13 games is bold, but justified. If anything, Lonzo Ball will only get better as the season goes on and his shot falls; Kyle Kuzma will continue to play his style of basketball.
The only thing that can derail this duo from what they can achieve is an injury. Although that is always a possibility, they are still in line to be one of the best rookie duos we have seen in quite some time.
Kyle Kuzma is the star of the two, for now. The 27th overall selection is averaging 15.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. Kuzma has scored in double digits every game since becoming a starter while shooting 51.6% from the floor.
Ball, on the other hand, has quietly put up good numbers his rookie campaign. Although he rarely will dazzle with a 20+ point game like Kuzma can do, he contributes to all aspects of the game. Ball is averaging 9.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game. Every night Ball is capable of getting a triple-double and that is extremely special coming from a rookie.
Ball and Kuzma are the only duo on this list to average more than eight assists and rebounds per game. No other duo has this many assists and only number one on this list has more rebounds. With all things considered, Ball and Kuzma still have a chance to become the best rookie duo of this century.