A player from the Los Angeles Lakers might win the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. Indeed, the 2017-18 season is just starting, but if these Lakers reserves stay consistent, they each have a legitimate chance of achieving the feat.
Jordan Clarkson, Kyle Kuzma, and Julius Randle are the players from the Los Angeles Lakers' bench who could take home the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award following the season. All three are performing well for the Lakers who are having one of their best starts in the past few years. Clarkson, who is in his fourth year with the Lakers, is averaging 14.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per contest.
Meanwhile, the rookie Kuzma is second in the group in scoring with his 14.0 points per game. Kuzma is also averaging 5.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists each night. Perhaps the most consistent overall performer among them is Randle. The 22-year-old is proving so far this season that he deserves a hefty contract from the Lakers. Randle is playing splendidly on both ends of the floor with averages of 11.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.0 block per outing.
Trio emerge versus Pistons
The recent victims of the Los Angeles Lakers' deadly bench trio were the Detroit Pistons. Julius Randle, Kyle Kuzma, and Jordan Clarkson were among the players that helped the Lakers blow out the Pistons on Halloween, 113-93.
Randle led all scorers for the Lakers with 17 points. He had seven boards, three assists, and one steal as well. Kuzma contributed 16 points, while Clarkson added 10. Their performances are not just enough to possibly win them the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award, but it is also crucial to the squad's success. If they provide the same numbers or even better each night, the Lakers will capture more victories which are going to help their cause of trying to end a playoff drought.
Lonzo ballin'
In the Los Angeles Lakers' win over the Detroit Pistons, rookie Lonzo Ball had one of his best outings. Ball had a good shooting night as he went 6-of-13 from the field (including 1-of-3 from long range) to be one of three Lakers players to finish with 13 points. The ex-UCLA Bruins point guard recorded six rebounds, three assists, and two blocks also.
Ball and the Lakers are now at 3-4, they have bounced back after suffering back-to-back losses against the Toronto Raptors and the Utah Jazz. Up next for the purple and gold is a road game versus the Portland Trail Blazers on November 2.
