21pts 5 rebs 2 asts in 9 games as a starter this year on 58% TS
Not a fluke either. 18.7 pts 5.5 rebs 2.5 asts the year before on 55% TS in 50+ games starting with a superstar in Lebron and another scorer in Ingram.
He has improved his defence since and has become a decent wing defender. Some laker fans would have you think he's some scrub but I for one am not surprised that multiple teams are interested to trade for him.
He's gonna give teams 19 points a night on at least average TS and can defend multiple positions. But sure, he's Brian Cook 2.0
The problem is not that he's a bad player. I think he's a good player who had a bad year, but still made strides in some important areas which allowed him to become an important (though imperfect) role player on a championship team, rather than just a young scorer with potential on a lottery team. That last part is something many similar players would struggle to do, as far as taking a back seat on offense to bigger stars and then being asked to do the little things that contribute to winning instead. IMO it's easier when you're able to take as many shots as you want and when you want, not be held accountable for defense, and do all that on a team that's generally okay with losing like a lot of the younger teams out there.
But that's also the problem. I just think he's gonna be caught in limbo here, since he won't ever start with AD on the team, and he'll be confined to this role that he's not naturally built for. After a championship, you feel irrationally positive about every player and want to bring them all back, but with Kuz I still want him traded I don't hate him as a player, but it's just not a good match between our needs and what he can provide at his best.
Im not sure if theres not a fit. Most of our best lineups included davis at the 5. That lets kuzma play 3 or 4, whatever he is "naturally built for". Some of kuzma's biggest games this season were with him playing alongside davis. The game wining shot he made in the regular season was off an assist from davis.
He can play the 2 and start there with his ability to switch on everyone. He has guarded pretty much the best 2 guard in the league in this playoff and he practically held his own. Then play the 3- 4 whenever it’s needed on the matchup. But he’s gonna have to earn this . He’s gonna have to work hard this off season on his shooting and ball handling and learn from Green on how to space the floor and become a better help defender. Vogel gonna have to sacrifice some of the regular season games because the upside of Kuz putting it together will be more important in the playoff.
I appreciate current Kuz who plays defense even though his shooting has been inconsistent. Good growth from the guy who was putting up offensive numbers on a bad team as the main scoring option and couldn't care about playing any defense. 6"8 Jordan Clarkson jokes were there for a reason. _________________ Showtime 2.0
Is he gone yet? Pack dude up and ship em out already...He had enough years to improve...He aint no rookie so no excuses. Yup, don’t let the door hit ya on the way out.
With all due respect, some of y’all are really delusional if you think the Lakers should keep him even if they have a chance to get a better player in return. Kuzma’s is a streaky scorer. He’ll have a few games where he looks like he has all-star potential, and then he’ll constantly have multiple games where he looks completely clueless out there on both ends. Body language is everything, both LeBron and AD don’t like him that much. He constantly disrupts the flow of what they’re trying do with his ball-hogging plays or constant fouling. If the Lakers have a chance to get a better player who’s going to fit in with LeBron and AD, they should dump Kuzma as quickly as possible.
The dude has more bad games than good. He wants to be a star and likes to run his mouth, but doesn’t put in the work and prove it on the court, looks completely clueless on defensive schemes and some offensive plays. He needs to get dump off to a lottery team where he can be the ball-hog chucker that most of y’all love and dream about.
Kuzma had 1 and half good games in the Finals, but people forget how key he was during the Portland and Houston series.
Fans only focusing on his offense but his defense shined in those series. Remember he was the one guarding CJ McCollum and Westbrook. And against Miami, it's not a big sample size but the times he guarded Jimmy, Butler shot only 2-7, the same guy who was shooting 55% in the Finals only shot 28% against Kuzma.
Yes kuzma defense was key in stopping butler after that explosion game _________________ Kobe
With all due respect, some of y’all are really delusional if you think the Lakers should keep him even if they have a chance to get a better player in return. Kuzma’s is a streaky scorer. He’ll have a few games where he looks like he has all-star potential, and then he’ll constantly have multiple games where he looks completely clueless out there on both ends. Body language is everything, both LeBron and AD don’t like him that much. He constantly disrupts the flow of what they’re trying do with his ball-hogging plays or constant fouling. If the Lakers have a chance to get a better player who’s going to fit in with LeBron and AD, they should dump Kuzma as quickly as possible.
Looks like you actually watch games. 100% in agreement.
He looks loss out there a lot of times. He repeats the same damn mistakes over and over. When the games got big he shrank.
If he was "SMART" and is staying. Practice your 3 pt shooting. Practice your defense, meaning stop trying to block every damn shot, get better positioning. Watch film to see where and when you can cut to the basket playing with AD and LBJ on the floor.
Kuzma had 1 and half good games in the Finals, but people forget how key he was during the Portland and Houston series.
Fans only focusing on his offense but his defense shined in those series. Remember he was the one guarding CJ McCollum and Westbrook. And against Miami, it's not a big sample size but the times he guarded Jimmy, Butler shot only 2-7, the same guy who was shooting 55% in the Finals only shot 28% against Kuzma.
Yes kuzma defense was key in stopping butler after that explosion game
What stopped Jimmy was playing 47/48 minutes and being GASSED!
Kuz didn't do bunk. Kuz commits the same stupid fouls over and over. He easily committed 4-5 fouls on those 4 pt plays!!!! Duncan Robinson would be a 30 ppg scorer if he could play against Kuz every night!
Kuzma had 1 and half good games in the Finals, but people forget how key he was during the Portland and Houston series.
Fans only focusing on his offense but his defense shined in those series. Remember he was the one guarding CJ McCollum and Westbrook. And against Miami, it's not a big sample size but the times he guarded Jimmy, Butler shot only 2-7, the same guy who was shooting 55% in the Finals only shot 28% against Kuzma.
Yes kuzma defense was key in stopping butler after that explosion game
What stopped Jimmy was playing 47/48 minutes and being GASSED!
Kuz didn't do bunk. Kuz commits the same stupid fouls over and over. He easily committed 4-5 fouls on those 4 pt plays!!!! Duncan Robinson would be a 30 ppg scorer if he could play against Kuz every night!
Jimmy was not even switch hunting Kuz . He was having trouble mustering a good shot against him. Kuz has made that leap as an on ball defender .
I do agree with Kuz team defense though. He still ball watching and sometimes get caught on screens. Those are fixable with experience .
Kuzma had 1 and half good games in the Finals, but people forget how key he was during the Portland and Houston series.
Fans only focusing on his offense but his defense shined in those series. Remember he was the one guarding CJ McCollum and Westbrook. And against Miami, it's not a big sample size but the times he guarded Jimmy, Butler shot only 2-7, the same guy who was shooting 55% in the Finals only shot 28% against Kuzma.
Yes kuzma defense was key in stopping butler after that explosion game
What stopped Jimmy was playing 47/48 minutes and being GASSED!
Kuz didn't do bunk. Kuz commits the same stupid fouls over and over. He easily committed 4-5 fouls on those 4 pt plays!!!! Duncan Robinson would be a 30 ppg scorer if he could play against Kuz every night!
Jimmy was not even switch hunting Kuz . He was having trouble mustering a good shot against him. Kuz has made that leap as an on ball defender .
I do agree with Kuz team defense though. He still ball watching and sometimes get caught on screens. Those are fixable with experience .
Guess we can pretend to have watched two different players then.
This is just more evidence, if anymore evidence was needed after a cursory glance at this thread, that the people who hate Kuzma put a lot of their energy into it.
Doesn't change the facts that he is a champion who was a big part of our defensive strength through these playoffs.
He was one of the better cutters on this team, which is big when playing off of AD and Lebron. I think the coaching staff recognizes this.
He has shown the ability to expand his game just in the improvement on his defense alone. He went from being a liability to a solid defender during the season.
Many who played with him in the international team before the season last year were raving about his defense, but then he had an ankle injury and had to withdraw. This, it was talked about, cut into his defensive mobility and ability to practice leading up to the season. When he came back to the reset his defense had improved, and many said this was due to his ability to rehab the ankle and get back to where he was pre-ankle injury.
With all due respect, some of y’all are really delusional if you think the Lakers should keep him even if they have a chance to get a better player in return. Kuzma’s is a streaky scorer. He’ll have a few games where he looks like he has all-star potential, and then he’ll constantly have multiple games where he looks completely clueless out there on both ends. Body language is everything, both LeBron and AD don’t like him that much. He constantly disrupts the flow of what they’re trying do with his ball-hogging plays or constant fouling. If the Lakers have a chance to get a better player who’s going to fit in with LeBron and AD, they should dump Kuzma as quickly as possible.
Looks like you actually watch games. 100% in agreement.
He looks loss out there a lot of times. He repeats the same damn mistakes over and over. When the games got big he shrank.
If he was "SMART" and is staying. Practice your 3 pt shooting. Practice your defense, meaning stop trying to block every damn shot, get better positioning. Watch film to see where and when you can cut to the basket playing with AD and LBJ on the floor.
Kuzma had 1 and half good games in the Finals, but people forget how key he was during the Portland and Houston series.
Fans only focusing on his offense but his defense shined in those series. Remember he was the one guarding CJ McCollum and Westbrook. And against Miami, it's not a big sample size but the times he guarded Jimmy, Butler shot only 2-7, the same guy who was shooting 55% in the Finals only shot 28% against Kuzma.
Yes kuzma defense was key in stopping butler after that explosion game
What stopped Jimmy was playing 47/48 minutes and being GASSED!
Kuz didn't do bunk. Kuz commits the same stupid fouls over and over. He easily committed 4-5 fouls on those 4 pt plays!!!! Duncan Robinson would be a 30 ppg scorer if he could play against Kuz every night!
Jimmy was not even switch hunting Kuz . He was having trouble mustering a good shot against him. Kuz has made that leap as an on ball defender .
I do agree with Kuz team defense though. He still ball watching and sometimes get caught on screens. Those are fixable with experience .
I notice a lot of times kuz will just watch the guy with the ball drive by and not help off his man. It is irritating but I have to wonder if some of it is by design of the coaching staff. Kuz is not a good shot blocker and is more likely to just foul and give the other team and AND1.
I think where he can improve is helping out by stepping in to take charges rather than being a help defender who's going to try and block the shot.
ESPN's RPM placed Kuzma as the #38 PF last year. (link) Considering that there are 30 NBA teams (and a corresponding number of starting PF's), that seems to indicate that Kuzma was a reasonably good backup player last year.
With all due respect, some of y’all are really delusional if you think the Lakers should keep him even if they have a chance to get a better player in return. Kuzma’s is a streaky scorer. He’ll have a few games where he looks like he has all-star potential, and then he’ll constantly have multiple games where he looks completely clueless out there on both ends. Body language is everything, both LeBron and AD don’t like him that much. He constantly disrupts the flow of what they’re trying do with his ball-hogging plays or constant fouling. If the Lakers have a chance to get a better player who’s going to fit in with LeBron and AD, they should dump Kuzma as quickly as possible.
Looks like you actually watch games. 100% in agreement.
He looks loss out there a lot of times. He repeats the same damn mistakes over and over. When the games got big he shrank.
If he was "SMART" and is staying. Practice your 3 pt shooting. Practice your defense, meaning stop trying to block every damn shot, get better positioning. Watch film to see where and when you can cut to the basket playing with AD and LBJ on the floor.
Maybe you should get better at watching games.
Funny after your response, you go on to support what I stated. laughable
Kuzma had 1 and half good games in the Finals, but people forget how key he was during the Portland and Houston series.
Fans only focusing on his offense but his defense shined in those series. Remember he was the one guarding CJ McCollum and Westbrook. And against Miami, it's not a big sample size but the times he guarded Jimmy, Butler shot only 2-7, the same guy who was shooting 55% in the Finals only shot 28% against Kuzma.
Yes kuzma defense was key in stopping butler after that explosion game
What stopped Jimmy was playing 47/48 minutes and being GASSED!
Kuz didn't do bunk. Kuz commits the same stupid fouls over and over. He easily committed 4-5 fouls on those 4 pt plays!!!! Duncan Robinson would be a 30 ppg scorer if he could play against Kuz every night!
Jimmy was not even switch hunting Kuz . He was having trouble mustering a good shot against him. Kuz has made that leap as an on ball defender .
I do agree with Kuz team defense though. He still ball watching and sometimes get caught on screens. Those are fixable with experience .
I notice a lot of times kuz will just watch the guy with the ball drive by and not help off his man. It is irritating but I have to wonder if some of it is by design of the coaching staff. Kuz is not a good shot blocker and is more likely to just foul and give the other team and AND1.
I think where he can improve is helping out by stepping in to take charges rather than being a help defender who's going to try and block the shot.
- LOSS
- My comment "Don't try to block every shot"
So maybe we're watching the same game but you have Kuz love glasses on?
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