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Los Angeles Lakers: Game against Spurs another example of how special Kyle Kuzma is

By James Francuz

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 04: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers makes a shot between the defense of LaMarcus Aldridge #12 and Pau Gasol #16 of the San Antonio Spurs in the second half of the game at Staples Center on April 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 04: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers makes a shot between the defense of LaMarcus Aldridge #12 and Pau Gasol #16 of the San Antonio Spurs in the second half of the game at Staples Center on April 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers’ recent 122-112 victory over the Spurs demonstrated how good Kyle Kuzma is.

It has been said many times by Los Angeles Lakers fans and fans of the NBA and it will be said again. Lakers rookie forward Kyle Kuzma has been, by far, the steal of the 2017 NBA draft. Games like the one against the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday night prove that claim.

It is certainly not the first time fans have seen this before. In the Lakers’ home game, Kuzma dropped 30 points in his team’s thrilling overtime win.

According to ClutchPoints’ Rexwell Villas (originally courtesy of StatMuse), Kuzma did something no other Lakers’ rookie has done since Magic Johnson.

In 1979-1980, Magic registered four 30-point games, and last night marked the fourth time this season Kuzma has scored 30 or more. Not too shabby, young blood.

What is more important, though, is the sheer fact that Los Angeles came out on top. Being in the records book is nice; however, winning is even sweeter. Suffice to say, “Kuuuz” as the fans like to call him, got the job done against San Antonio. In doing so, he made the lives of the Spurs that much tougher, for they are still trying to clinch a playoff berth.

The Lakers’ victory was impressive due to a reason the Los Angeles Times’ Tania Ganguli alludes to. The team will be without starters Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball for the rest of the season. The same is true with respect to Isaiah Thomas.

Thus, to give the Lakers a chance, other guys would need to step up. While several guys did against San Antonio, the Flint, Michigan native stood out from the crowd.

The same was true before the game even commenced. Lakers.com reporter Joey Ramirez reveals that Kuzma arrived at Staples Center donning an old school Nick Van Exel jersey. That being said, one cannot help but wonder if a factor like that fueled himself throughout the game.

Regardless of what he was wearing, he definitely looked determined on the court. Granted L.A. is out of the playoff hunt, Kuzma’s play suggested that there was no way he was going to let his team down.

The overtime period was a strong sign of this. It was a stretch where Kuz control was in full effect. Kuzma led off the period with a straightaway three, and, not too much later, a beautiful sweeping sky hook. The second shot is one he has really started to master as the year has progressed.

Later in overtime, there came a point when Kuzma found himself on the hardwood after drawing a foul. As The Orange County Register’s Bill Oram reminds us, Kuzma had played nearly 44 minutes as of then. It was easy to tell he was tired because he took a few deep breaths before he got back up and made a free throw.

Despite how he felt, he pushed through the physical tiredness. After the game, per Ramirez, Kuzma said his focus was “to kill.”

"“Just to kill,” Kuzma said of his overtime mentality. “I didn’t want to lose that game. We have been losing for the past couple of games, so I just tried to kill.”"

While Kuzma is still young, this mentality is a special one to have. Not everyone possesses it, but nights like the one against the Spurs show that he is a special young man.

Everyone wants to win at the end of the day. In spite of that, not everyone necessarily wants to carry the burden when it matters most. Kuzma’s efforts last night exhibit he may be the Lakers’ closer of the future.

It is a role that does not come with light responsibility. The team’s last closer provided time and time again over a 20-year span and his name needs no mention.

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A lot of the reason why such a role is not simple is because it requires a lot of energy. Walton discerns this and respects that Kuzma played through the fatigue, per Oram’s piece.

"“He plays to exhaustion,” Luke Walton said, “and then most times plays through it. … There’s been some nights where he’ll tell me, ‘I need a break. I just need one.’ And I’ll get him out. Tonight I could tell he wasn’t going to ask to come out of that game. He was going to fight through it.”"

Statements akin to this say a lot about Kuzma’s character. At the bare minimum, they exemplify his dedication to winning and fighting on even if he is not feeling superb. It is indicative of that classic mind over matter phrase and “Kuuuz” surely has that attribute.

A quote of Kuzma’s from after the game further demonstrates that he “has that.” Back-to-backs are never fun, but, via Ganguli, he was not going to use that as an excuse.

"“Coming from a back-to-back is always tough,” Kuzma said, “let alone playing in Utah with the altitude, then coming back here [on a] late trip. Just really tried to tell myself from the jump I’m not tired, really. That kind of really helped me.”"

On that note, one can just sense that Kuzma is cut from a different cloth. Sure, he has a lot to learn still. But the will to push through extreme tiredness (and possible soreness) is encouraging to see from a first-year player.

On Tuesday night Kuzma played a total of 36 minutes. Combined with Wednesday night, that accounts for 80 minutes of action. Therefore, to know he did not give up on his team is hard to not grin about.

Lakers’ fans do not like to be reminded that this marks the fifth straight year they have missed the postseason. It is very un-Laker-esque, to say the least.

Be that as it may, games like the one against San Antonio are promising. They reveal that this team is growing, and, indeed, just how lucky they are to have Kyle Kuzma.

Kuzma is a special talent, ladies and gentlemen. It extends beyond the various array of tools he has in his offensive arsenal. Elements like his mentality better explain why he is bound to be in L.A. for a very long time. It is an element that is unteachable.

Next: Lakers 10 Greatest Draft Picks of All-Time

At this point in time, though, for those that have watched Kuzma, it is not shocking. It is simply in his DNA. Thus, despite the Lakers’ inability to get to the playoffs again, players like Kuzma suggest that there is a reason to have hope.

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