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Los Angeles Lakers: Kyle Kuzma becomes all-time rookie leader in made 3’s

By Jason Renner

SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 24, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 24, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma set the franchise record for 3-pointers in a season by a rookie.

Los Angeles Lakers power forward Kyle Kuzma performed well in the clutch on Friday night against the Miami Heat. Despite starting off the game slow, Kuzma narrowed the Heat’s lead with two big buckets. Kuzma has never shied away from the spotlight, and he stepped up big late on Friday night.

Kuzma was 2-for-2 in clutch minutes, hitting both a right-hand floater over Kelly Olynyk and a 3-pointer at the top of the key to give the Lakers a 91-90 lead with 1:22 left to play. That 3-pointer made Kuzma the all-time leader for 3-pointers made by Lakers rookies.

Kuzma has been a streaky shooter so far in his career. Per BasketballReference.com, Kuzma currently owns a 45 percent field goal percentage on the season. He also shoots a very respectable 37 percent from downtown.

Kuzma has been unable to find consistency throughout this season. Though, his gun-slinging mentality has made him the leader in 3-pointers made by Lakers rookie. Kuzma is averaging 5.4 shot attempts from the perimeter while connecting on 2.0 per game. On the season, Kuzma has made 132 3-pointers.

According to NBA.com/history, the current NBA rookie record for made 3’s is held by Kerry Kittles. Kittles made 158 shots from distance for the New Jersey Nets in the ’96-97 season. The Lakers have 13 games left on their schedule, and with Kuzma averaging 2.0 made 3’s a game, he is on track to tie Kittles’ record if he sustains his performance.

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This would be quite the accomplishment for Kyle Kuzma, further proving his case as the steal of the 2017 NBA draft. Kuzma was highly doubted coming into the NBA. Scouts said that he was an unreliable perimeter shooter, couldn’t defend at a high level and that he isn’t a playmaker.

Kuzma has outperformed that initial billing and is ranked 6th for rookies in 3-point percentage. His reliability from the perimeter has helped a Lakers team that depends on their 3-point shooting to space the floor for players like Randle to attack the rim.

When asked by reporters after the game on his thoughts about owning the new record, Kuzma had this to say.

"“It’s pretty special. Any time you have any type of record, in any type of record-book, especially with the Lakers, it’s pretty special. It’s also pretty cool, simple fact, that everybody said…pre-draft, I couldn’t shoot. Pretty funny, how that works.”"

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Kyle Kuzma heard his haters. His strong play this season has silenced every doubt about his ability that existed prior to this season. Every Lakers fan should be hoping Kuzma breaks the single-season record for made 3-pointers by a rookie. That would be one more accolade for this team’s budding young core.

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