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Los Angeles Lakers: Newcomers destroy the Dallas Mavericks, 5 Lessons

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Quinn Cook #2, Jared Dudley #10, and Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers guard Tyrell Terry #1 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half at Staples Center on December 25, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 138-115. 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 John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Quinn Cook #2, Jared Dudley #10, and Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers guard Tyrell Terry #1 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half at Staples Center on December 25, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 138-115. 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 John McCoy/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers got timely contributions from Kyle Kuzma and others from the bench!

Kyle Kuzma’s polarizing presence is something that Lake Show Life staff is used to. Now the debate will be if his stats or contributions are empty or not. Some will call Kuz’s game ordinary but the staff saw progress. Kyle Kuzma added 13 points (5-11 shooting!) with 6 rebounds (2 offensive!) with 2 steals and a block. Plus he had the buzzer-beater to boot.

Kyle Kuzma is going to be an acquired taste. Either he’s going to drive you nuts or you’ll root for him. Now that he has his extension, it is what it is. But there is something about Kuzma fans can watch for to gauge his progress.

Kuzma plays well when he does not think and try to plan every move he makes. The 3 pointer is a perfect example. If he knows he can shoot without the world jumping down his throat, he can make a good amount. Think back through his career, he tends to knock down last-second shots. A back cut rub to the basket with Markieff Morris he had was another example.

Marc Gasol:

Staff writer Kevin Germany might have to get to work on a piece defending Marc Gasol. After saying he was a key to this game on Christmas.

Gasol has now gone two games without scoring a field goal. His only points came from the free-throw line. On the other hand, he led the Lakers in rebounding with 9 (2 offensive!).

The sands from the hourglass of patience are running out. The Lakers fanbase can be brutal at times. It will be interesting going forward to see if he loses his confidence going forward. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope went through it and survived. Danny Green was so bad his fiancée received death threats. At least he doesn’t have to deal with it anymore.

The target is starting to move slowly to Gasol. Maybe Kevin can bring something to the table. It worked before. Kuzma got his deal the next day after this article was posted.

We have to end this article on a sad note. Lake Show Life dedicates this article to NBA legend, K.C. Jones. Most of his career was spent with the Boston Celtics but he did contribute to one of the Lakers title teams.

If you are a real basketball fan, you know this man knew and could really play the game of basketball. He was part of the Boston Celtics dynasty of the ’60s, coached title teams in the ’80s and a gold medal winner. He passed Christmas Day after succumbing to Alzheimer’s disease. He was 88.

R.I.P. Mr. Jones from the staff at Lake Show Life.

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