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EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Kyle Kuzma spent much of his summer swelling, and now he puts some of that muscle in the center.
The Los Angeles Lakers are trying out different ranges of small balls at the training camp, including using the Kuzma 6-foot-9 to 5. The second-year striker is learning to play the position, something he has not only at high school.
"It's okay, you know, I'm getting it back," Kuzma said after training the Lakers on Friday. "I have never really played the five before and I think it will be good for us to have a small ball unit, to go out and run and shoot."
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The Lakers signed JaVale McGee as a free agent and recruited Moritz Wagner in the first round to join Ivica Zubac. But Magic Johnson, president of the Lakers basketball operations, and general manager Rob Pelinka believe the team is flexible, deep and full of length and height to allow coach Luke Walton to use a variety of players less game
Walton said when entering the camp that he had three or four different variations of composition of the little ball to watch. LeBron James should also see a few minutes in the center in some situations. Walton said James had been used "in all court positions" and had called defensive blankets everywhere.
Last season, Julius Randle and Brook Lopez played most minutes in the center of the Lakers. Walton often used a center too small with the 6-foot and 9-foot Randle, because of Randle's ability to change positions and defend several positions. Randle signed with New Orleans in free agency and the Lakers would like to find another player who can play in the center and can switch seamlessly in several positions.
Walton says that Kuzma has this potential.
"Absolutely," said Walton about the possibility of seeing Kuzma defend several positions as a center someday. "One of the reasons we're trying it out there is that we enjoyed the versatility that Julius gave us with that ability.
"Everything is fine," Walton added about what he had thought of trying to Kuzma in the center until now. "He was great, he worked on his game, but the covers and things like that are obviously different from the five places, he was good, there were not many representatives, but we tried him see if this could possibly work. "
One important thing that Kuzma learned and works in the camp is his communication. The Lakers have been working with him on his defense since his rookie season, and veterans like Rajon Rondo and James showed the group's future recruits that it was essential to keep talking.
"You have to be the anchor point of the defense, this position calls pick-and-roll, screens," Kuzma said. "The 5 is usually around the rim, so you see, everything in this backyard, everything, so watching the movie really helped in this area to try to be that kind of anchor when I play all five. "
Having placed 27th overall last season, Kuzma was part of the rookie team after an impressive season averaging 16.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 36.6% from 3 points. Kuzma added muscle in the offseason and worked hard to add new weapons to his game.
"You can see it, you can feel it," Walton said of Kuzma's extra strength. "You train with him, he is much more physically present – the way he runs, the way he jumps and makes contact and all these things. He worked very hard during the off season and he shows up on the court. "
James likes what he's seen of Kuzma's mentality so far in the camp.
"He wants to get better," said James. "He wants to be the best player possible, he wants to be one of the best players in our league, he said, he worked hard this summer and adopted the good state. in spirit, I respect him. "
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