Kyle Kuzma had another strong showing in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 112-107 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. Unfortunately, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for the former Utah standout.
Mid way through the first quarter, with his team down by 10, Kuzma found himself guarding Suns star Devin Booker. It did not end well for him.
Devin Booker cooking Kuzma pic.twitter.com/zmfXL3QWse
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) December 17, 2020
Needless to say, Twitter had some reactions.
Lakers fans reading ‘cooking’ in the description. pic.twitter.com/hyjQAoqXxH
— L-Magnet (@Skyy_Sargent) December 17, 2020
he had him dancing with one dribble then is what you’re telling me lmao
— Ali (@hiiddenmiist) December 17, 2020
Devin Booker whenever he sees Kuzma guarding him pic.twitter.com/Kpoattc0VX
— Rich (@UptownDCRich) December 17, 2020
What else is new. Kuzma would be a nobody in Orlando
— Hovstorian (@DizzlezJ) December 17, 2020
Kuzma is the worst laker on the team
— Official(0-0) And (8-5) (@Officialj0nn) December 17, 2020
@Marco2Ochoa has Kuz ever not jumped at a pump fake?
— FriskyOrphan (@Thefriskyorphan) December 17, 2020
That said, some people felt like Kuzma did a decent defensive job on the possession and was just unlucky on that particular sequence.
Actually that just good offense. Kuz did everything you’d want on that play!! That’s not getting cooked
— (Raquel) KOBE (@SOULbeautifulme) December 17, 2020
Kuma got 12 pts… book got 7 and 4 fouls… nice move, but remember ya’ll pump up Booker but he does nothing other than score… while Kuz guards tough opponents all the time
— duro (@anonymex_) December 17, 2020
Interestingly enough, other than that particular play, Kuzma actually had a very solid showing against Phoenix.
The 25-year-old finished with 23 points and really impressed head coach Frank Vogel with his effort on both sides of the floor.
“I’m happy to continue to see him grow,” Vogel said after the game.
“He’s a big part of what we’re going to do this year.”
Yikes Shaq. https://t.co/CBPHOixGJt
— Game 7 (@game7__) December 15, 2020
This is a big year for Kuzma. He is either going to play well enough to secure a big new contract, or he will need to go elsewhere.
Will he be able to take a Brandon Ingram-like next step this season?
Time will tell.
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