‘Kyle Kuzma will take a big leap next season’: Lakers star LeBron James relies on confidence in teammate



[ad_1]

LeBron James believes his teammate Kyle Kuzma can take a huge leap forward in the 2020-21 NBA season, by tweeting the same.

Kuzma had a good start to his NBA career. Many thought he was a very good prospect after his rookie year, when he averaged over 16 points per game. He followed up with a second season on the same lines with an expanded role – he finished with a commendable 18.7 points per game average.

However, Kuzma’s playing time and shooting attempts dropped significantly after Anthony Davis arrived. The 25-year-old, used to playing the 4, had to play extended spells at 3. He moves his feet a little too slowly to effectively keep the 3s, and therefore had to be taken out during a clutch period.

Also read: ‘They talk about how Clippers lost, not how we won’: Nikola Jokic dismissive of media for Nuggets coverage

This led the Lakers to use it sparingly during the playoffs. Average of 12.3 points per game in the regular season, Kuzma’s score fell further to 10 points.

LeBron James thinks Kyle Kuzma can revitalize his career and take a leap this year

James has always had nothing but good things to say about Kuzma. The decrease in playing time led Kuzma to focus more on his defense, and he got better on that side.

Many believe he has all the tools to become a good two-player in the NBA. It’s just a matter of putting it all together and making the right basketball games.

LeBron seems to be on the same side.

Also read: “I can see LeBron James’ exit strategy”: Skip Bayless speculates Lakers superstar will retire when contract extension ends in 2023

While one admires the sentiment, it’s hard to see a world where Kuzma can thrive on the Lakers. They were already among the top two bench scorers last season, so there will be even fewer shooting attempts to be made.

Kuzma is also asking for a big contract – something he will have to show he deserves during the season.



[ad_2]

Source link