Kuzma is a fearless if not irrationally confident attacker of the basket. Kuzma did shoot 41.5 percent on triples off passes from LeBron, but the ramifications of sending a second defender to the King offer power plays that have the potential to bear more fruit. Many of his teammates tend to let it fly from three with plenty of room to fire. From there, it’s on the recipient to make a play. James’ mindset is programmed to hit the open man. It doesn’t matter who’s on the receiving end. Playing alongside superstars who command as much attention as LeBron and AD opens up so much of the floor for the three players they share the court with. It’s sharp, more like an L than an O, allowing him to easily get past Luke Kennard for the rim finish without ever putting the ball on the floor. Paul George’s back is turned to a wide-open middle of the court, creating an easier passing lane Gasol promptly hits for an easy Kuzma layup. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope keeps Nicola Batum from rotating off the weakside corner. In the clip below, Kuzma does a fine job running Kawhi Leonard through a Quinn Cook down screen. The challenge for Vogel then lies in creating targets for Gasol to hit and for his players to do their part to get open. Though not as physically imposing as JaVale McGee or Dwight Howard near the rim, he gives the Lakers another initiator as someone who can fling all types of passes from the top of the key. Marc Gasol adds a completely new dimension to LA’s offense. But sprinkled throughout these two contests sit prime examples of how the fourth-year forward should function alongside a cast of teammates both old and new. It won’t be often for Kuzma to shine as he did, not when James and Davis eventually take the floor and the new additions settle into their roles. He’s shot 7-of-17 on twos, 6-of-13 beyond the arc and earned 17 free-throw attempts, converting 11 of them. On Sunday, in their loss to the LA Clippers, they scored a season-low 86 points on 40 shooting from the field and 30.4 shooting from behind the arc. Through two preseason games, Kyle Kuzma has compiled 43 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. Just know that right alongside him has been another young Laker taking significant steps of his own. Nobody is blamed for being enamored with the unexpected production of THT. The incoming sophomore who earned just 81 total minutes a season ago might have just given Frank Vogel even more options for what’s projected to be a loaded rotation. Talen Horton-Tucker, a 2019 mid-second-round pick, scored 19 and 33 points in consecutive preseason matchups against the LA Clippers, both victories. Kyle Kuzma has averaged 16.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 16 games versus the Clippers in his career. It’s not even on any of LA’s offseason additions. The spotlight hovering over the Los Angeles Lakers this preseason doesn’t belong to LeBron James or Anthony Davis. Kyle Kuzma’s fashion game: What started as a desire to look sharp became part of his identity when he was drafted with the 27th pick in 2017 and he moved to Los Angeles.By Daniel Lubofsky 2 years ago Though not the most notable Los Angeles Lakers standout this preseason, Kyle Kuzma looks to have taken another step in his development. Peace for Kristaps Porzingis: The big man called Washington the “perfect place” to help him reach his career goal because of the Wizards’ mix of young and veteran players. 2 on the Wizards’ offseason checklist.Ĭandace Buckner: Forget the excuses about lineup disruption, chemistry issues brought on by the massive trade-deadline makeover and Bradley Beal’s season-ending injury. Finding a permanent solution at point guard is No.
Offseason needs: Securing Bradley Beal’s future is at the top of the organization’s to-do list. Wes Unseld’s first season: Players praised the coach’s even keel.
Only in Washington do NBA stars get $251 million participation trophies, writes Candace Buckner. Beal gets the max: The 29-year-old guard agreed to a maximum contract that will cement him as the cornerstone of the franchise.
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