The Kuzma Thread

[stan francisco]

I just saw an interview with Kuz. Wtf happened? He use to kid around and be quick and funny and witty. Seems disgruntled and with a high sense of entitlement. Shape up the mindset or expect to be shipped out.

What interview was this?

I didn't notice different from Kuz from a mindset persepctive. I mean he had a phenomenal weekend.

He's always been sorta cocky/confident going back to last yr. .

Can't really comment but may he's frustrated with trade talks. Maybe he's frustrated with his mind? Only played like 26mins and there was no ad last game.



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Yeah, he’s finally starting to play up to last year’s form but his mindset is wrong. I could be wrong but I think I heard him say “AD is trying to win rings, Bron is trying to win LA, I am trying to win minutes...” or something like that.

After the 31 or 36 point game interview. Not a big shift but not the same playful mindset as last year. His game reflects this mindset. Kuz is all about Kuz, suddenly.

[NippySudz]

I just saw an interview with Kuz. Wtf happened? He use to kid around and be quick and funny and witty. Seems disgruntled and with a high sense of entitlement. Shape up the mindset or expect to be shipped out.

What interview was this?

I didn't notice different from Kuz from a mindset persepctive. I mean he had a phenomenal weekend.

He's always been sorta cocky/confident going back to last yr. .

Can't really comment but may he's frustrated with trade talks. Maybe he's frustrated with his mind? Only played like 26mins and there was no ad last game.



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Yeah, he’s finally starting to play up to last year’s form but his mindset is wrong. I could be wrong but I think I heard him say “AD is trying to win rings, Bron is trying to win LA, I am trying to win minutes...” or something like that.

After the 31 or 36 point game interview. Not a big shift but not the same playful mindset as last year. His game reflects this mindset. Kuz is all about Kuz, suddenly.

I didn't take anything from that. He said he's trying to establish his career here. Something like that.
But I can see your viewpoint. He's not thinking about the team.


Funny I never picked up on that. For me I just thought he was commenting on each little narrative going on in the season and how each little narrative plays into the collective narrative.

Everyone has a chip on their shoulder because they have something to prove. That's how I took it.

Funny, the Kuz critic defending kuz lol

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[stan francisco]

Well, it’s not ASB yet. That’s the time I’d expect him to have acclimatized.

Again, this given his age, new coaches, nine new team mates, the SF/PF competition in LBJ/AD, him missing the pre-season with injury and his best buds in Zo, BI, Hart.

But in order to get back to pre injury form, he needs to shift his focus away from proving himself back over to having fun and being just one of the young guys. He needs to chill.

[NippySudz]

Well, it’s not ASB yet. That’s the time I’d expect him to have acclimatized.

Again, this given his age, new coaches, nine new team mates, the SF/PF competition in LBJ/AD, him missing the pre-season with injury and his best buds in Zo, BI, Hart.

But in order to get back to pre injury form, he needs to shift his focus away from proving himself back over to having fun and being just one of the young guys. He needs to chill.

Does it? Kobe made his career having a chip on his shoulder. Whatever that gets him produce is the right answer.

This is really a non issue. As long he's producing and playing within the system

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[NippySudz]

[Edit]

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[nbakid123]

Overrated

[stan francisco]

Overrated

Respectful disagreement. He just needs to screw his head back on straight, get back to having fun playing the right way, not focus on getting his. If he does, he’ll get his.

[ROballer]

Overrated

Respectful disagreement. He just needs to screw his head back on straight, get back to having fun playing the right way, not focus on getting his. If he does, he’ll get his.

Way overrated. 2 good scoring games doesn't make up for a **** up season, sorry. He even went right at it(suckiness) tonight.

If you can sell high, you do it.

[NippySudz]

Well, it’s not ASB yet. That’s the time I’d expect him to have acclimatized.

Again, this given his age, new coaches, nine new team mates, the SF/PF competition in LBJ/AD, him missing the pre-season with injury and his best buds in Zo, BI, Hart.

But in order to get back to pre injury form, he needs to shift his focus away from proving himself back over to having fun and being just one of the young guys. He needs to chill.

What he said about being a rhythm player seems true almost to a fault. If he's not getting touches, he doesn't seem as engaged in the offense or defense.

Maybe coach Vogel needs to run a few plays for him coming into the game, get some easy baskets which will then keep him engaged.



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[stan francisco]

Well, it’s not ASB yet. That’s the time I’d expect him to have acclimatized.

Again, this given his age, new coaches, nine new team mates, the SF/PF competition in LBJ/AD, him missing the pre-season with injury and his best buds in Zo, BI, Hart.

But in order to get back to pre injury form, he needs to shift his focus away from proving himself back over to having fun and being just one of the young guys. He needs to chill.

What be said about being a rhythm player seems true almost to a fault. If he's not getting touches, he doesn't seem as engaged in the offense or defense.

Maybe coach Vogel needs to run a few plays for him coming into the game, get some easy baskets which will then keep him engaged.



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Good post.

That’s a very sound suggestion.

I think some attention from Vogel, Bron and AD in the form of setting him up for some buckets could chill him down a bit.

[NippySudz]

I also think kuzma needs to work on his shot selection and needs to vary his style a bit.

He plays each opponent the same way, which is not good imo. For example he'll play a guy that's 6'7 the same way he'll play a guy that's 6'0.

He doesn't exploit mismatches enough. Utilise a Jab step more, pump fake. He has a nice floater. Put yourself in positions to use that more. Also, stop rushing.

He needs to know when and where to pull the tricks out of the bag.

Some of the shots he took yesterday where just horrible.

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[stan francisco]

I also think kuzma needs to work on his shot selection and needs to vary his style a bit.

He plays each opponent the same way, which is not good imo. For example he'll play a guy that's 6'7 the same way he'll play a guy that's 6'0.

He doesn't exploit mismatches enough. Utilise a Jab step more, pump fake. He has a nice floater. Put yourself in positions to use that more. Also, stop rushing.

He needs to know when and where to pull the tricks out of the bag.

Some of the shots he took yesterday where just horrible.

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Agreed on all counts. All of it amounts to that he needs to chill! Draw up some plays for him and LBJ, Frank!

[SamFlow]

Is kuzma more of a PF or SF or both equally?

[stan francisco]

Well, it’s not ASB yet. That’s the time I’d expect him to have acclimatized.

Again, this given his age, new coaches, nine new team mates, the SF/PF competition in LBJ/AD, him missing the pre-season with injury and his best buds in Zo, BI, Hart.

But in order to get back to pre injury form, he needs to shift his focus away from proving himself back over to having fun and being just one of the young guys. He needs to chill.

Does it? Kobe made his career having a chip on his shoulder. Whatever that gets him produce is the right answer.

This is really a non issue. As long he's producing and playing within the system

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Yeah, but ...

It’s more fun for him to celebrate the championship in good company than alone, when we win it all.

[Kilroy]

Is kuzma more of a PF or SF or both equally?

It depends on who he's matched up against obviously, but he seems to do better against SFs in general. He's not really strong enough to match up against bigger, more athletic Fs, either 3s or 4s... On offense, he has no post game to speak of, so he's more of an elbow-out player. His best attribute was volume 3s... But he's got a nice little floater too and can break guys down and get to the hoop on occasion... But you don't really want him doing that, because when he does, he forgets how to shoot 3s.

[Landsberger]

I think it's system and situational dependent. Offensively he's much more comfortable in motion. This system he often stands in one place (as do a lot of guys currently) or goes to a "spot" to be a relief for the big 2. In this case his position is irrelevant for the most part.

Defensively he's shown growth in guarding the post. He's not going to excel there but it's a lot better than last year. On the perimeter he can guard out to the 3 point line if it's a 3 or stretch 4. Like a lot of positions in today's game he's a situational hybrid.

[NippySudz]

Is kuzma more of a PF or SF or both equally?

It depends on who he's matched up against obviously, but he seems to do better against SFs in general. He's not really strong enough to match up against bigger, more athletic Fs, either 3s or 4s... On offense, he has no post game to speak of, so he's more of an elbow-out player. His best attribute was volume 3s... But he's got a nice little floater too and can break guys down and get to the hoop on occasion... But you don't really want him doing that, because when he does, he forgets how to shoot 3s.

He's a low IQ player which is why he's inconsistent. Maybe that will come with time but if he understood matchups and using his strength vs weaknesses in matchups, he'll be more consistent. He needs to let the game come to him. Even games he does well in, I don't feel like he's playing the right way. He just happens to have a rhythm that's on.

The Christmas game he was making some tough shots.

The Dallas game it was LeBron that told him to pull out the tricks. To utilise that and his size

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[NippySudz]

Well, it’s not ASB yet. That’s the time I’d expect him to have acclimatized.

Again, this given his age, new coaches, nine new team mates, the SF/PF competition in LBJ/AD, him missing the pre-season with injury and his best buds in Zo, BI, Hart.

But in order to get back to pre injury form, he needs to shift his focus away from proving himself back over to having fun and being just one of the young guys. He needs to chill.

Does it? Kobe made his career having a chip on his shoulder. Whatever that gets him produce is the right answer.

This is really a non issue. As long he's producing and playing within the system

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Yeah, but ...

It’s more fun for him to celebrate the championship in good company than alone, when we win it all.

I think you're reading far into the comments. He's not polarizing the locker-room just because he's focused on numbers. Maybe he shouldn't and allow the game to come to him but that doesn't mean he's alienating himself from the locker room

He's not Kyrie Irving or anything lol.

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[SamFlow]

Is kuzma more of a PF or SF or both equally?

It depends on who he's matched up against obviously, but he seems to do better against SFs in general. He's not really strong enough to match up against bigger, more athletic Fs, either 3s or 4s... On offense, he has no post game to speak of, so he's more of an elbow-out player. His best attribute was volume 3s... But he's got a nice little floater too and can break guys down and get to the hoop on occasion... But you don't really want him doing that, because when he does, he forgets how to shoot 3s.

He's a low IQ player which is why he's inconsistent. Maybe that will come with time but if he understood matchups and using his strength vs weaknesses in matchups, he'll be more consistent. He needs to let the game come to him. Even games he does well in, I don't feel like he's playing the right way. He just happens to have a rhythm that's on.

The Christmas game he was making some tough shots.

The Dallas game it was LeBron that told him to pull out the tricks. To utilise that and his size

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Just curious how he might fit with Sekou Doumbouya who is a Forward... some small and some power. Seems like if a trade was worked out, those two might be able to play together.

[tamaraw08]

Well, it’s not ASB yet. That’s the time I’d expect him to have acclimatized.

Again, this given his age, new coaches, nine new team mates, the SF/PF competition in LBJ/AD, him missing the pre-season with injury and his best buds in Zo, BI, Hart.

But in order to get back to pre injury form, he needs to shift his focus away from proving himself back over to having fun and being just one of the young guys. He needs to chill.

What be said about being a rhythm player seems true almost to a fault. If he's not getting touches, he doesn't seem as engaged in the offense or defense.

Maybe coach Vogel needs to run a few plays for him coming into the game, get some easy baskets which will then keep him engaged.



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Good post.

That’s a very sound suggestion.

I think some attention from Vogel, Bron and AD in the form of setting him up for some buckets could chill him down a bit.

41 games in to the season and it seems like Vogel and his staff have not made significant effort to help him be more productive.
For me what makes it worst is that Kuzma plays with bench teammates who gets under 23 mins/game, I don't understand why Frank can create curl/rub plays for KCP and Bradley but couldn't assemble the bench and create better plays and practice them for 30 mins/day on off days to set up Kuzma.
Do some research, Kuzma/Caruso/Rondo trio is a +17.5 pts together. and yes he's least productive with KCP and Howard (-2.5) and KCP/Davis (-2,1)and that trend seems to continue.
Kuzma shoots a modest 36% from 3 during catch and shoot but is horrendous on pullups at 25%.