Fixed it for you. Reggie is a terrible commentator. Edit:sorry for taking the thread off subject. I’m starting to get confused on all these threads. So to bring it back on topic, Kuz is worth the money he’s being paid and hope he starts making more 3’s.
i think the problem is that he's even asking the question. everyone knows he isn't the third star. we won a title without a third star. he's improved as a basketball player and isn't paid as a third star (e.g., mike conley and jrue holiday make the same amount of money as AD). so, reggie's an idiot because he's even discussing the issue. WHY ISN'T LUKE KENNARD/PATRICK BEVERLY/SERGE IBAKA/MARCUS MORRIS CARRYING HIS WEIGHT?????!!!!! HE NEEDS TO STEP UP AND BE THE CONSISTENT THIRD STAR THE CLIPPERS NEED TO DOMINATE EVERY SINGLE GAME! does it work better this way? kuz makes the same or less than all those guys.
Yeah the 3rd star narrative for Kuzma is so 2019. Reggie probably thinks Carmelo can still save the Knicks.
Killed it in the second quarter. Looked like he was going to carry the load. Gotta be the hair kind of Q. Then *that* Kuz was barely seen the rest of the game.
Looked like a throwback game to his rookie season when he was a very creative and potent scorer 1 on 1. 32 mins, 19 points, 8/12 shooting, 10 rebs, 7 assists
He’s absolutely changed his game, upped his defense and has really maxed his potential there with effort. And it’s true he’s looked to have an impact on the game in other ways than just scoring, I mean 10 boards and 7 assists tonight, he’s a key piece to our success.
those quotes are right on. and kuz does a lot of good things even on his 4-12 nights. the reaction to his play is entirely contingent on his point total, which is misguided. a lot of that going around lately, though. see what happened to the defense with AD/m. gasol/AC last night? a g-league team put up 122 points on us. other parts of the game matter, and kuz--who used to do almost nothing outside of scoring--now does a lot more in those areas (that also impact winning).
I really enjoy his Swiss army knife games vs just points. BUT my issue with him is effort and consistency, which has improved over time. But the Portland game for example is my frustration with him. Like I said after that game, 0-6 from 3 and forcing the issue. He settled, wasn't aggressive, and was a non factor in every facet of the game. If you're playing 33 minutes and starting, you GOT to give me something. If you're not going to be able to score, then D the F up and board like a mad man. Instead he turned it over more than any of our other wings or guards and had the same amount of rebounds as McLemore. If that happens, I'm assuming they're giving away rebounds at the door.
Last night's game was a template for what Kuz can become over the next few seasons. 19 / 10 / 7 = :Carusohearthands: I was really happy to see him working the boards again. He had that stretch a while back where he was gobbling boards. Then, when Drummond came, it seemed Kuz was deferring to him on the boards. I want our whole front line dominating the glass.
I'm still not sold. As I said, there is no question he is making individual gains, especially on the defensive end. But I'm skeptical he understands his role in our system once our stars come back. I don't think he meshes well with the full team when we're healthy. He still forces up back shots and disrupts our ball movement. And I don't think it's a coincidence that he had a great all-around game last night, with AD and LeBron out. I'll also note that Tuesday night, despite putting up some decent scoring number, finished at -11 in a win. Look, I'm rooting for the guy as much as anyone. I want him to succeed. But to me, the jury is still out until he can contribute meaningfully in a play-off run, without frustrating the on-court chemistry of our team. His was a borderline detriment in the Finals last year.
I think Kuz has come to accept that he is a role player who may have nights where he can go for 20+ and nights where he will have 3-5 points and 10 mins of playing time. He's at peace with knowing that he may not become the third star with the Lakers and should just do whatever the team needs. Its time for the fans to see him that way as well.
