Los Angeles Lakers: Kyle Kuzma named as X-factor for the playoffs

Bleacher Report recently named the X-factor for each playoff contender. For the Los Angeles Lakers, it was Kyle Kuzma who was named.

As we get closer to the playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up to make a run at an NBA Title.

After a great offseason and start to the season, the Lakers have proven to be one of the best teams in the league right now. With teams making moves to improve their rosters before the playoffs, the Lakers recently signed Markieff Morris after he was bought out by the Detroit Pistons.

Morris will give the team a good big man who can space the floor and provide versatility if the Lakers decide to go with smaller lineups. While Morris will be a welcomed addition, the one player that everyone is focused on is Kyle Kuzma.

Recently, Bleacher Report named the biggest X-factor for all of the playoff contenders. For the Lakers, it was Kuzma who got the nod. You can read the entire article from B/R here.

Seeing Kuzma being named as the X-factor for the Lakers shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. Heading into the season, expectations were high for Kuzma. In his first two seasons with the Lakers, Kuzma was an excellent scorer.

Right off the bat, Kuzma showed the ability to score in multiple ways for the Lakers, and was a much better shooter from 3-point range than anyone would have imagined. Despite being the player from the young core that the Lakers held on to, Kuzma as had a very inconsistent season so far.

A good reason for his struggles could be because of the injury that cost him to miss training camp, the preseason and the start of the regular season. As a young player with new teammates, this time is crucial for development.

While Kuzma might not be scoring 20 a night like many hoped he would this season, he is still a very important part of the team. When Kuzma is able to provide efficient scoring off the bench, it helps the Lakers’ offense immensely.

A big storyline for the Lakers has been their play with LeBron James off the court. When James isn’t playing, the offense isn’t the same for the Lakers. Kuzma is the player that really can help fix those problems, as he can easily score 15 a night and help create on his own.

As we head toward the playoffs, all eyes will certainly be on Kuzma and his play down the stretch.