The Lakers 2 games in the NBA campus has shown that Kyle Kuzma has improved and can be the Lakers X factor moving forward.
Kuzma is the one player on the Lakers that is hit or miss on most nights. In 2 games against the Raptors and the Clippers, Kuzma is 7-14 from 3-point range.
The Lakers will need more production off the bench, one of which is led by Kyle Kuzma.
Kuzma has scored 16 points in each game of the campus. Defensively, Kyle Kuzma has shown flashes of great defense against like-sized players. LeBron James needs another reliable defender against the top teams in the NBA.
Kyle Kuzma needs to be consistent scoring and defending. In the playoffs, Frank Vogel will have to make an adjustment to the starting lineup to match up with smaller lineups. Kuzma needs to prove to Vogel that he can be trusted to defend and score in a playoff game. The Lakers have struggled all year to find a consistent 3rd scorer to go alongside Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
When Kyle Kuzma plays well, the Lakers are a different team. He can make everyone’s job easier when he’s defending at a high level. Kyle Kuzma will have an advantage in these playoffs as a young player by not having to go on the road in hostile environments. Young players typically struggle in the playoffs due to tough environments on the road.
Kyle Kuzma should be much more comfortable heading into his first playoff run.
Featured Image: LI Phil/Flickr
