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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Lessons from win over Dwyane Wade and Miami Heat

By Ronald Agers

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 10: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat pose for a photo after exchanging jerseys, as Wade plans to retire at the end of the season, after a 108-105 Laker win at Staples Center on December 10, 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 Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 10: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat pose for a photo after exchanging jerseys, as Wade plans to retire at the end of the season, after a 108-105 Laker win at Staples Center on December 10, 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 Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Kyle Kuzma is in a zone right now

The Los Angeles Lakers have a second scorer. His name is Kyle Kuzma so we can all stop complaining about LeBron James needing help. The Lakers have it right here in-house.

Kyle Kuzma led everyone in the building with 33 points and 7 rebounds. Plus he hit big shots when the Lakers needed them, especially from the 3-point line. In 40 minutes, Kyle Kuzma shot a very efficient 14-22 from the floor while knocking down three from the land of the extra point.

Kuzma’s key to success right now is his confidence. He is now at the point that he is not afraid to make a mistake and he plays hard.

Here’s an example right here…

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope steals a pass in the Miami backcourt. As he is dribbling around under the basket, you will see Kuzma run hard giving a passing lane for KCP to hit him in stride for a slam dunk just before halftime!

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1072350095918555137

Here’s why this play is so important…

Kyle Kuzma was running so hard that he beat Dwyane Wade and Justise Winslow back down the floor and exploded to the basket before Bam Adebayo could even contest the shot. His aggressiveness led to those two points.

Here’s another example of his aggressiveness helping his teammates…

Lonzo Ball looks good in this picture doesn’t he? This play never happens without the setup from Kyle Kuzma. First Kuzma takes the pass from Tyson Chandler and hits KCP with a hit ahead pass. In one motion, then KCP in one motion catches the call in one hand and passes to Ball for the dunk.

One of the main reasons that Kuzma is constantly stated as the guy that plays best with LeBron is his willingness to cut without the ball, run his lanes hard on the fast break and his willingness to shoot the ball. Remember Kuzma was struggling from behind the arc. He did not allow that to mess with his confidence which is very important. He just kept shooting.

If you don’t think that is important, just compare his confidence in his shot to a certain point guard that is on the roster. It’s very important.

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