As the NBA league gears up to resume the 2019-20 season in Orlando, fans are excited to see what strategies teams will use to ensure victory. And for the Los Angeles Lakers, it seems like this is the chance to introduce a triple threat. Some Lakers recently sang songs of praise for their rising star and revealed he might get to prove himself in the bubble.
Will Kyle Kuzma become the third Los Angeles Lakers great?
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When Kyle Kuzma first joined the league, he didn’t get much attention. However, slowly but surely, the 27th overall pick of 2017 made headway.
Initially, the NBA community was unsure about Kuzma. This was probably because his performance in matchups at the beginning of this year kept fluctuating. It also caused several rumors about the Lakers wanting to trade him out. However, it seems the 24-year-old power forward finally found his rhythm.
Recently, reporter Mike Trudell revealed that Kuzma is now in Lakers’ good books. According to Trudell, Kuz has been trying to shadow Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Talking about who he thinks is the Lakers’ third guy, Dudley named Kuzma. To justify his statement, Jared Dudley highlighted that Kuzma has been stepping up during games Anthony Davis’ missed games. Moreover, he has been going after scores of 20+ points.
Jared felt that the Orlando bubble will be the perfect way for Kuzma to show his true potential.
Yesterday, Frank Vogel pointed out that the third guy this season has been the open player that’s been created by LeBron/AD’s presence, and how it’s been a different player on many nights. Kuzma hasn’t been on the floor too often w/both AD and LeBron, as AD’s mostly played the 4.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) July 16, 2020
Not only Dudley, but the Lakers’ head coach Frank Vogel too believes the same. He told Trudell that being a young player, Kuzma has a long way to go. He feels that the young up-and-coming player has grown in the presence of greats like James and Davis, even though being behind them may not always be pleasant.
Vogel said,
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“Obviously he can get a lot better, he’s a young player, but he brings a lot to the table right now … he’s certainly capable of more.”
Frank Vogel on Kuzma: "Obviously he can get a lot better, he’s a young player, but he brings a lot to the table right now … he’s certainly capable of more.” He said it’s a “difficult predicament” at times playing behind 2 stars, but it’s helped round out his overall game.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) July 16, 2020
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A few months ago, Kuzma suddenly faced the death of his mentor: Kobe Bryant. Just like the rest of the community, he also mourned the legend. However, it seems he decided to get himself together and use the ‘Mamba Mentality’ to improve himself.
Let’s see whether Kuzma finally settles into the Los Angeles Lakers’ rhythm and proves himself in the Orlando bubble.
