Kyle Kuzma has been one of the most criticized players around the NBA. The Los Angeles Lakers young forward isn’t the flashiest player of all, but he always gives his best to the team, although not everybody seems to notice that.
He went from 2-12 from the field on Thursday night, but that wasn’t the most important part of his game. Rob Perez explained why Kuzma is so essential to the Lakers, which has nothing to do with his numbers.
In fact, his hustling, the way he fights and scraps for every ball, and the opportunities he creates for the team are the most valuable things he offers.
“Understand it’s difficult to convince people a player who shot 2-12 had a good game, but, Kuzma really was everywhere tonight doing the dirty work. lost count of how many second-chance opportunities he created with hustle and was there seemingly every time to plug holes in the D.”
understand it’s difficult to convince people a player who shot 2-12 had a good game, but, Kuzma really was everywhere tonight doing the dirty work. lost count of how many second-chance opportunities he created with hustle and was there seemingly every time to plug holes in the D.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 28, 2021
Lakers fans reacted to this, agreeing with Perez, explaining the real impact of Kuzma on the game. This man isn’t the best scorer of all but he does the job and the team is happy with his performance.
Bunch of casuals who want him to avg 20. He’s invaluable when he’s hustling plugging holes and getting clean up buckets.
— M a n n i (@lakeshow2431) May 28, 2021
Next game, try to focus on Kuz on defense some. Dude is everywhere, defending on the perimeter, dropping into the paint to contest, grabbing boards, sprinting back on D. AD and Caruso might be the two best defenders, but Kuz is right on their heels.
— Greg Scott (@duckgregscott) May 28, 2021
you said it in one of your twitter spaces that if he’s doing the dirty work he’s gonna play good
— Rafita 🛡 (@RafaelContrer23) May 28, 2021
https://twitter.com/Dwayne_TheRockJ/status/1398141924641492992
THANK YOU!!!! He was a +15 but “Box score watchers will tell you he played trash” we move
— Olumide 〽️ (@Hey__Banjo) May 28, 2021
https://twitter.com/b1g0he/status/1398237117977923587
basically Kuz the whole game pic.twitter.com/k1cykdIR6x
— c h ri$ (@blessedchrisss) May 28, 2021
https://twitter.com/LakersRational/status/1398143338407075840
Man kuz has been a valuable member of that team since last year he fucking gets after it you are 100% right.
— Eddie Champagne (@theehottubking) May 28, 2021
I don’t even like kuzma and I appreciate the hustle. Only casuals would be disparaging him right now
— Hilda (@andmyaxe69) May 28, 2021
You may not see him doing what LeBron James or Anthony Davis do, but he’s still a valuable piece for the Lakers.
