During Media Day, Kyle Kuzma recently stated that he believes he can be an All-Star for the Los Angeles Lakers this season.
With the start of the preseason almost here, the Los Angeles Lakers recently held their Media Day. This is always a great time to see the team coming together, and it also gives the media a chance to ask the players about their goals for the upcoming season.
Just prior to Media Day, the Lakers did get some bad news about their forward, Kyle Kuzma. Kuzma will be missing at least the first three games of the preseason as he recovers from a stress reaction in his foot.
Kuzma had to leave Team USA in the FIBA World Cup early due to what was being called an ankle injury at the time. However, the Lakers are concerned with this stress reaction in his foot, and will be playing it carefully.
At Media Day, Kuzma talked about wanting to get better and having that result in him making the All-Star team. Here’s what he said via Christian Rivas of Silver Screen and Roll.
"“I want to get better. That’s the biggest thing. I’ve worked hard for the past two years and I think I have a lot of capabilities. For me, I want to be an All-Star. I’d probably say that’s one of my goals. That’s something I’ve got to work at and I don’t see why not,” Kuzma said."
In his first two seasons with the Lakers, Kuzma has certainly played well. Last season, he was able to average 18.7 points per game. There has been no doubt that Kuzma can score in the NBA, but he did see his three-point percentage drop noticeably from his first season to his second.
If Kuzma was able to replicate his percentage of his rookie season, he might have averaged over 20 points per game last season.
While Kuzma might be poised for an All-Star caliber third season with the Lakers, he will have to get healthy first. Missing time in training camp and the preseason is never good for a young player, and hopefully Kuzma will be back soon.
Considering that the Lakers could be one of the best teams in the Western Conference this season, that will help Kuzma’s case to make an All-Star team. If he is averaging over 20 points per game on a good Lakers team, Kuzma might be able to achieve his goal.