Sixth man of the year? Kyle Kuzma’s opportunity to prove himself

The sixth man of the year award should be something Kyle Kuzma sets his sights on, along with a Championship. The lone young member of the Los Angeles Lakers left standing from the Anthony Davis trade, must reach a higher plateau this season. With so much to live up too, Kuzma should welcome the pressure and use it as fuel.

The sixth man of the year award has become more and more respected around the league. With Kyle Kuzma off the bench, he should have his sights set on obtaining it. Why not? It would not only show he is one of the best young players in the league but will also silence any doubt as to if he can perform on a team with such high stakes this upcoming season.

Last season held more growing pains for Kuzma. Shooting a low in three-point percentage, still lackluster at the free-throw line, and not to mention his defense. Which was very bad for most of the year.

Now he has to grow up this summer.

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Kyle Kuzma has a lot to live up this year. I mean after all, he was the only young Laker to not be traded, while also looked upon as the third “star” for this Lakers team. As much as all us Laker fans would love to see Kuzma in the starting lineup, the best place for him to be right now is coming off the bench.

With a sort of lackluster bench, yet an improvement from last years, Kuzma has to be the leader on the new bench squad. Whoever he plays with off the bench, Kuzma needs to make his teammates better and show them that he is capable of being a leader for the team.

Kyle Kuzma averaged 18 points per game last season in 33 minutes played per game. He won’t be getting those minutes anymore coming off the bench. He must be more proficient on offense and become more aggressive on defense. Which I feel he could learn a great deal about from Jared Dudley, who was a solid defender for the Nets just last season.

If Kuzma can piece together his game properly, he is a huge threat to be the best player coming off the bench in the NBA. Why not chase the sixth man of the year award? To prove not only to everyone but himself he is one of the best players in the NBA.

In the NBA there are a lot of weak benches, for the most part. Which Kuzma can feast off of. Most, if not all, the teams in the NBA do not have a player of Kuzma’s caliber coming off the bench. Except of course Lou Williams, Spencer Dinwiddie and Domantas Sabonis. At least based off of last years nominations for the award of sixth man.

Kuzma has a lot going for him right now. Being teammates with LeBron and AD can have its perks. He should try to soak up as much knowledge as he can from both players. Even the new vet on the team Jared Dudley, who helped lead the young Nets to the playoff as an eighth seed.

Kuzma should have a chip on his shoulder this upcoming season. He has always been overlooked. Being drafted at 27th overall is just one example of that. He’s always been in the shadow of other players, such as Lonzo Ball and recently LeBron James.

But Kuzma shouldn’t be worried about the spotlight shining on him all the time. It didn’t shine on him in Flint. He had to make it shine on him, so why not do that now. Make the NBA take notice. Become the best bench player in the league. Show the world what hard work and dedication will get you. As Kuzma’s late great inspiration Nipsey Hussle said, the marathon continues.

Right now, Kyle Kuzma’s marathon has just begun.