Kuzmic Can Play
The 52nd pick in 2012 was largely an afterthought last season. Ognjen Kuzmic spent most of his time in Santa Cruz. In the limited action he saw with the main team, Kuzmic looked slow, weak and over his head. Your classic ‘well he’s tall, maybe we can make him a player but probably not’ type of prospect. A year later, Kuzmic might be the revelation of preseason. Questions concerning Festus Ezeli’s health behind oft-injured starting center, Andrew Bogut left Warrior fans worried.
The first observation of Kuzmic, this preseason is he has bulked up. No one is confusing him for Dwight Howard, however he is no longer the 7ft1 230 lb, rail thin center. Some added strength has allowed him to battle down low with traditional NBA sized centers. The second observation is Kuzmic’s growing skill level. Kuzmic has averaged 13.2 points and 3.7 assists per 36 in preseason, but more telling is how he’s done it. Kuzmic has been comfortable taking the entry pass, being patient with the ball and making a decision of whether to go into a shooting motion, or find the open man. The Warriors have even run some high post sets through him as if he’s Tim Duncan:
Defensively, the added strength has allowed Kuzmic to establish position down low, grab rebounds in traffic (11.5 per 36 thus far) and not get pushed around so easily down low. Being 7ft1 with a long wingspan, Kuzmic uses his size to contest shots around the rim. He is still a bit slow in rotations and fouls way too much, two things common of inexperience, but the overall play makes you happy.
Anyway you slice it, Kuzmic has looked capable of playing back-up’s minutes as Ezeli works himself back into game shape, and is slowly putting Warrior fans minds at ease.
NEXT: Who is the starting SF?