The Kuzma Thread

[Landsberger]

Kuzma hasn't been healthy since last February it seems. With his $1.9M salary this year on top of the injury I'd say centering a deal on him to get anyone as good as he can be healthy is a pretty big leap.

He's yet to be comfortable in our system nor healthy this year. I'm willing to wait a little longer to see if he can find a way to mesh with this team. I also disagree with the idea that we need 3 point shooting or a "true PG". I think this team has shown that you don't need to "rely" on the 3 to win games and we've won a lot of them. Also, I think those who advocate for more 3 point shooting are ignoring the guys we have who are above average 3 point shooters.

As for the ball handling PG.... why would you take the ball out of LeBron's hands? He's near MVP level and leading the league in assists? A LeBron led team doesn't need a traditional PG and Bradley is very good at defending the perimeter.

What we are missing is a 3rd scorer. One who can get points in bunches. While Kuz hasn't shown that yet this year I'm not thinking one is on the market for him, a broken down malcontent and a borderline NBA guard.

LeBron ain't what he used to be, he has no lift left and no go to move. Everytime he has the ball when the game is in the balance you can almost always depend on him to bail the other team out by shooting a stupid shot or making a stupid turnover. He gives me the same feeling I get whenever Kuzma gets the ball. He will get you stats because he dominates the ball, but what the Lakers need an experienced two way point guard who can guarantee the Lakers at least a shot at the basket late in games.

So... if a person just woke up from a 6 month coma and read this post they would deduce that the Lakers were 5-24 as their best player cannot close a game, has declined significantly and isn't smart enough to lead a team in close games. Also they would think that Kuzma is a ball dominant player and that's how he gets his points. So it would be pretty much the opposite of reality.

Sophisticated troll attempt..... I'll give you that...

[Spanish_Laker]

We need the 17-18 Kuzma ASAP.

[gts1]

if you can move/package Kuzma for someone that helps this season with playoff experience you do it... the Lakers have obviously gone all in on winning a championship now, no reason to keep a player that is not part of the winning and doesn't show he'll be doing so anytime soon....

[Landsberger]

We need the 17-18 Kuzma ASAP.

He did that last year in 32 minutes a game. He's not going to get more than 24-28 this season and he'll be on the court at all times with either Davis or LeBron so he'll be a relief valve.... just like the rest of the bench. After watching our offense and player rotation schemes we won't have (and I might not capable of having) a 18 point player off the bench. You can get who you want but the shots are going to Davis and James first, second and most likely third... Davis said is flat out in an interview a few weeks back. That's who we are.... and we're not doing too shabby at it at the moment.

[Rakkasan]

if you can move/package Kuzma for someone that helps this season with playoff experience you do it... the Lakers have obviously gone all in on winning a championship now, no reason to keep a player that is not part of the winning and doesn't show he'll be doing so anytime soon....

Exactly, there is nothing about Kuzma's game that would lead anyone to believe that he will give you anything more than what he has so far.

[NippySudz]

Second worst plus and minus on the team tonight . Anyone who guarded him tonight, blew by him.

Really don't see what people see in kuzma and if someone calls me a kuzma hater, so be it.

This effort right here has nothing to do with a lack of training camp, rust or whatever. This is kuzma.

Read on Twitter

[Rakkasan]

If the Lakers don't get legitimate third option, and another perimeter defender they may get bounced out in the second round of the playoffs. I don't see them lasting more than 5 games in a series against the Clippers. Lakers have two great players and a bunch of scrubs.

[NippySudz]

If the Lakers don't get legitimate third option, and another perimeter defender they may get bounced out in the second round of the playoffs. I don't see them lasting more than 5 games in a series against the Clippers. Lakers have two great players and a bunch of scrubs.

The clippers for them aren't the only concern. If houston starts streaking , houston might be able to knock them out of the playoffs. I rather take lebron and AD over houston, but you just never know with james harden and I can see westbrook pushing that ball and the lakers can't get back in transition. They better hope the clippers eliminate the rockets because that might be a better match up for them.

[Beethoven]

Ship this kid to China and trade him for stephon marbury at least he'll bring us some multiple championship swag

[Ball so hard]

Second worst plus and minus on the team tonight . Anyone who guarded him tonight, blew by him.

Really don't see what people see in kuzma and if someone calls me a kuzma hater, so be it.

This effort right here has nothing to do with a lack of training camp, rust or whatever. This is kuzma.

Read on Twitter

I honestly have no idea what you're watching. How does this video show lack of effort. He tried like hell to stay in front of a very shifty PG and got beat at the very end. At worse this video shows a lack of discipline on Kuz's part for bouncing around so many times. I'm not even sure why you pointed out that meaningless +- game stat. Why not pick on Davis who was -13 vs Kuz's -16. Using your line of reasoning -13 from your superstar player is far more detrimental to the team's success. You clearly have an agenda when it comes to Kuz.

[Ball so hard]

If the Lakers don't get legitimate third option, and another perimeter defender they may get bounced out in the second round of the playoffs. I don't see them lasting more than 5 games in a series against the Clippers. Lakers have two great players and a bunch of scrubs.

As Landsberger mentioned, the touches simply aren't there for a legit third option. Montrezl Harrell who's the 3rd or 4th option depending on the night is averaging more shots and minutes than Kuz. Harrell's mpg is roughly 29 to Kuz's 23. Harrell's fga is 14 to Kuz's 10. These are significant differences. People speak about Kuz as if he suddenly forgot how to score or is simply afraid to shoot; this is emphatically not the case. His 54 TS% is around his career average. The main differences between Kuz this year and Kuz in previous years is that his minutes and touches are way down, which is largely attributed to a change in role. This is really not that hard to see.

[NippySudz]

Second worst plus and minus on the team tonight . Anyone who guarded him tonight, blew by him.

Really don't see what people see in kuzma and if someone calls me a kuzma hater, so be it.

This effort right here has nothing to do with a lack of training camp, rust or whatever. This is kuzma.

Read on Twitter

I honestly have no idea what you're watching. How does this video show lack of effort. He tried like hell to stay in front of a very shifty PG and got beat at the very end. At worse this video shows a lack of discipline on Kuz's part for bouncing around so many times. I'm not even sure why you pointed out that meaningless +- game stat. Why not pick on Davis who was -13 vs Kuz's -16. Using your line of reasoning -13 from your superstar player is far more detrimental to the team's success. You clearly have an agenda when it comes to Kuz.

the clip isn't about effort. It's about footwork and the inability to use his length to defend. The effort is there but the inability to defend that had nothing to do with the excuses people come up with to justify him being unable to defend it. Bum ankle, lack of training camp, rust etc. No, how about he's not a good defender? He's not even an average defender?

Read on Twitter

I do have an agenda against Kuz. I openly state he's overrated by laker fans and that he's a nice piece, but not a championship piece. I don't see how that disqualifies what I said though. Genetic Fallacy. You're right though, maybe I shouldn't have used the plus minus. We will see in tomorrows game if everyone plays. That being said, I should reserve judgement and give kuz about to the all star break to see how he gels with the team.

[Landsberger]

I do have an agenda against Kuz.

Well... you at least admitted what was well known by everyone else...

This, by definition is the admission of a Troll. "Ignore posts" on.

[bb22]

If the Lakers don't get legitimate third option, and another perimeter defender they may get bounced out in the second round of the playoffs. I don't see them lasting more than 5 games in a series against the Clippers. Lakers have two great players and a bunch of scrubs.

Not with Bron and Davis. Not a chance in a 7 game series. Not even the Clippers bench will be as effective come playoff time. Could always use more perimeter 3 and D guys, though.

[NippySudz]

I do have an agenda against Kuz.

Well... you at least admitted what was well known by everyone else...

This, by definition is the admission of a Troll. "Ignore posts" on.

He's a polarizing figure. Not everyone has to agree on liking him but okay, have fun

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[stan francisco]

NippySudz, weak sauce. Prove to me why I shouldn’t press ignore.

So, LeBron fan shows up on Lakers board, bags repeatedly on the only one remaining young (late) draft pick who survived the Klutch invasion, and you do it with complete disregard to his work toward the end of last season (because you’re not a Lakers fan so you don’t know), and you completely ignore his impact on team USA, Pop’s praise. Then you make statistical arguments for why the young injured stud sucks while he makes $1.9M and is a constant 20-8 threat when fully acclimated.

He was injured. Got started six weeks late. No training camp. Coaches and systems are new. Nine new team mates, mostly vets. He’s 23. AD and LBJ play PF and SF.

Yeah, you have an agenda. Trolling.

Err, that video. He’s a PF. Murray is a guard. It’s as irrelevant a comparison as showing video of Kuz posting up Murray to prove how bad a defender Murray is. You would say, what I say to the video above, ‘he’s 6’9”, why are you here posting that shnitt?’. I’d say Kuz could do better but not bad for a PF, chasing one of the most elusive SGs in the world.

Kuz will come back big in a game one day soon, and then he won’t look back. That’s the thing when it’s a conditioning and/or confidence issue, it can be like flicking a switch. He just needs to shake it off and get that one really good game in the can.

I feel a 42 point Christmas game coming for Kuz. He likes the big games and bright lights, plays up to the moment. He just needs to remember that he’s a junk yard dog first. Would be a fun Christmas to see Kuz go off and make his claim as the third legit 20PPG scoring threat on our team, and scare the Clitters out of LA and trolls away from our board.

Happy break.

[NippySudz]

NippySudz, weak sauce. Prove to me why I shouldn’t press ignore.

Fell free to press ignore.

Yeah, you have an agenda. Trolling.

Any criticism of kuzma is considered trolling? Come on, we don't all have to agree here. It's fine if we have disagreements. I don't expect people to have my view and I'm fine with disagreement.

If kuzma is consistent and is a big asset to the lakers, I will give him nothing but credit. Sure you don't believe that, but ah well.

Merry Christmas and Enjoy the game tonight. Should be a fun one.

I won't have hot takes for this game. I realize maybe I've been too impatient with him. I'll legitimately will try to give kuzma a month or so and reassess then(this time, I'm sticking to it)

You said give him til All star break. Let's see then.

[NippySudz]

Looks like Stan is right..kuz might go off for 40+

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[NippySudz]

I said no hot-takes,but I can't help myself. kuz came out to ball. Much respect to his performance and his aggression to start the game. Tough loss for the lakers, but this is something kuz can build on and get a rhythm going for the second half of the season.

[Kilroy]

Kuz was solid tonight... Glad to see it. I hope he carries on from here.