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Los Angeles Lakers: 4 Lessons in a last second win over Nuggets

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 10: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers follows through on his game-winning three-pointer over Bol Bol #10 of the Denver Nuggets during the second half at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 10, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 10: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers follows through on his game-winning three-pointer over Bol Bol #10 of the Denver Nuggets during the second half at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 10, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers need to have Kyle Kuzma in the starting lineup next week! 

The last seeding game for the Los Angeles Lakers is against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday. We shouldn’t see LeBron James, Anthony Davis or Kyle Kuzma in the starting lineup. The Kings stink and we are all aware of the coaching acumen of former Lakers coach Luke Walton.

This game in no way matters. They should be sitting and cheering their teammates. Lake Show Life has a reader that might break into the Orlando bubble if they do.

Lake Show Life has already sent the message about this player being the franchise X-Factor.

But by next week, Kyle Kuzma needs to be in the starting lineup. Most believe it should be Danny Green’s spot with the starters, but it will most likely be Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who has been physically banged up.

KCP missing this game means that his ankle injury suffered in the Pacers game was worse than feared. Alex Caruso left the game as well when he aggravated his neck injury running into Bol Bol’s elbow setting a screen.. Watching him walk off to the locker room, it looked like back spasms might be in play as well. Stay tuned.

It doesn’t matter who sits, the Los Angeles Lakers need this type of activity in the starting lineup early and often. Kuzma was active on both ends of the floor with two steals in the right side of the floor. One of his steals was of an inbounds pass that led to a layup. This steal he did all by himself.

Watch how he breaks up the pick and roll by being aggressive. With the steal, he swiftly deposits a dunk on the other end. Is this guy Michael Cooper on the defensive end? No. But what player is in their third year.

But he has stopped trying to cut corners like dying on the pick and/or sliding under it. In this play he fought over the pick and disrupted the pass. This is the type of defense that will be needed in the playoffs.

Kyle Kuzma might have not been the best player on the floor, but he was the most important. In 33 minutes, Kuzma scored 25 points (11-16 shooting and 3-5 from distance!) 6 rebounds, 3 assists and the aforementioned 2 steals.

This shouldn’t have been much of a surprise with his mama in attendance.

Maam, the Lake Show Life staff is requesting (Also read: BEGGING!) that you be in attendance every playoff game going forward.

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