Kyle Kuzma Surges in Orlando
Lakers fans, rejoice. Kyle Kuzma has found his shooting touch amidst the NBA restart. Not to brag, but this tweet may have played a hand in the recent surge from the Utah product.
.@kylekuzma since this tweet:
— Lakers 2022-23 Redemption Tour 💜 💛 🏀 (@LakerChatter) August 11, 2020
🏀July 25
25 points
10/13 FG
5 3PT
🏀July 30
16 points
4/7 3PT
🏀Aug 1
16 points
5/13 FG
3/7 3PT
🏀Aug 3
9 points
2/3 3PT
🏀Aug 5
10 points
2/5 3PT
🏀Aug 6
21 points
8/16 FG
1/4 3PT
🏀Aug 10
25 points
11/16 FG
3/5 3PT
Game winner 🔥 https://t.co/HpI9MVhQ4P
Okay, so maybe a random birthday tweet didn’t affect that much, but Kuzma has been on a tear in Orlando. Lakers fans have clamored all season for Kuzma to find some sort of groove, and he’s finally found it.
Since the restart, Kuz has caught fire from three-point range shooting an impressive 44% (5.1 attempts) over the last seven games. A very impressive increase in accuracy over his 29.7% from distance in pre-bubble games. The most impressive being his dagger three over Denver Nuggets rookie Bol Bol to win the game.
Started the game. Ended the game. #KuzControl for the win. pic.twitter.com/hxkvt2oWYE
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 11, 2020
Kuzma’s jump in efficiency has him scoring right around three more points per than he was before the work stoppage. His 15.4 points per game through nine games in Orlando is one of his best offensive stretches of play for any other nine-game stretch throughout the season.
Perhaps the most welcome and surprising development to Kuzma’s game has been his defense.
He’s exerting noticeably more effort on that end of the court compared to where he was at the beginning of the season. The extra effort and defensive improvements appear to be paying off and even had Lakers coach Frank Vogel call on him to guard both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard at times against the Clippers on July 30th. Kuzma would have one block on the night, late in the third quarter on a driving Reggie Jackson attempt.
In the bubble, Kuzma has had five games with at least one block or one steal. A stellar defensive performance against the Pacers saw Kuz finish with three steals and a block. The 25-year-old is averaging one steal and almost one blocked shot per night since play resumed in Orlando. A notable increase above both his season and career averages in each category.
The Lakers have waited all season for someone to step up as a consistent third option, and Kuzma’s recent play could not have happened at a more opportune time.
Lakers Bubble Struggles
The Lakers appeared to be facing an uphill battle in terms of their personnel ahead of the restart. Avery Bradley chose to opt-out of playing in the bubble. Rajon Rondo suffered an injury to his thumb but has made his way to rejoin the team in Orlando. He will likely have a consistent role when he returns to play.
Before the restart, L.A. was still working Markeif Morris into the fold. Injuries and opt-outs forced the Lakers to bring in two more new bodies in J.R. Smith and Dion Waiters. The added hurdles have only exacerbated roster concerns and the Lakers’ struggle since the season resumed in Orlando.
One player lost to injury. One player lost opt-out. Three new players to get ready for an assumed deep playoff run. And a key piece in Danny Green that has not found even an inkling of positivity since the season resumed.
Lakers fans were excited at the edition of Morris in late February, but he hasn’t quite found a rhythm in his new digs. He looks to be getting comfortable based on his recent play posting a 38.9% from three-point range over the last five games compared to just 28.6% before the season was suspended.
Brought in to provide more guard depth, Smith has been forgettable in Orlando. His three-point percentage is a measly 9% with his scoring output taking an obvious nosedive, just shy of three points per game.
Waiters has brought new life to a Lakers bench that lacked a consistent offensive threat. Since play resumed, Waiters is averaging nearly 12 points. His shooting percentages have not been the best, but he has shown he can be effective in the pick and roll and as a playmaker. Waiters finished with 19 points and five assists in the loss to Sacramento.
Green, where art thou? Known as a sharp-shooter his three-point percentage has taken a sharp downturn since the restart at just 25%. This puts him at exactly one made three a game or in other words, not enough.
Though Green’s shot has not been there for him thus far, he’s been impactful on the defensive end collecting nearly two steals and blocking a handful of shots.
The Lakers will start their first-round matchup on Tuesday, August 18, against the winner of the Portland-Memphis play-in series.
Follow Troy Pierce on Twitter @HoopHead_prod
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