Los Angeles Lakers eclipse Suns, move into fifth in Western Conference

2. You might want to leave Kyle Kuzma alone!

I am a huge fan of the young core of Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball. I’m not a fan of the constant criticism that these three guys have been getting all season long.

The constant comparison to other young players like Jayson Tatum or Devin Booker, or past Lakers players like  DeAngelo Russell or Julius Randle. Are they good players? Yes. But why should the players on the team now have to change their games to play like them?

Let’s start with Kyle Kuzma, shall we?

Kyle Kuzma scored 23 points while grabbing eight rebounds. Plus, he played some lockdown defense that allowed the Lakers to make up the deficit and run away with the victory. His 13 points in the first quarter led the comeback charge.

Let’s watch the slam dunk play with LeBron James again. But this time watch Kyle Kuzma.

Kyle Kuzma grabs the loose ball and starts the fast break. Kuzma slows his pace to get the ball to LeBron James on the dunk here.

Two things to notice.

One, the change of pace allows James to catch up while running his lane to allow proper spacing for the clean look to get the pass.

Two, Suns forward, Josh Jackson, was trying to stop the fast break by fouling Kuzma. But, Kuzma slowing up a bit didn’t give Jackson the opportunity to foul and stop the fast break!

This play here.

LeBron James dribbles the ball to the right corner. Watch how Kuzma flashes to the middle of the paint. You can see that he has his hands up and ready to make the catch. Then he quickly hits Tyson Chandler for an easy dunk!

Let’s talk about another young player that is going to be all right!