Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Download
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024-2025 regular season
    • 2024 preseason
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Download
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024-2025 regular season
    • 2024 preseason
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > Lakers News: Luke Walton Credits Kyle Kuzma For ‘Best Playmaking Game By Far’ In Loss To Pistons
Lakers News

Lakers News: Luke Walton Credits Kyle Kuzma For ‘Best Playmaking Game By Far’ In Loss To Pistons

Matthew Moreno
Published: 03/16/2019
3 Min Read
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

After proving to be a potent scorer during his rookie season, Kyle Kuzma went into the summer with a desire and directive from the Los Angeles Lakers to work on improving his all-around game.

In particular, the Lakers hoped to see Kuzma make strides on the defensive end. After the signing of LeBron James, it was highlighted as an integral component as the Lakers intended to utilize Kuzma as a small-ball center.

That came with its share of lumps which forced the team to abandon the strategy. And while Kuzma has grown as a defender, his calling card has remained scoring. That changed a bit in Friday’s loss to the Detroit Pistons.

After Kuzma finished with a career-high 10 assists, Lakers head coach Luke Walton praised the manner with which he set the table for teammates, as seen on Spectrum SportsNet:

“I’ve seen the growth since he’s been here. He kind of goes in and out of it a little bit. Tonight, I thought was his best playmaking game by far, which is something we’ll talke. When he plays like that, to me, he’s at his best. His shot wasn’t going, he was still aggressive to score, but when the play was to make a pass, he was making a pass. He’s shown he’s a skilled passer. He has the height, the vision to be able to see that stuff. The more he can mix in the two styles of play, the better he’ll be, the better we’ll be.”

Playing in front of friends, family and children who attended his camp last summer in Flint, Mich., Kuzma had a bit of an off shooting night as he finished with just 12 points. He also added six rebounds, and the double-double was his fourth this season.

However, it was the first in which Kuzma did so with points and assists. Kuzma will head into play Sunday averaging 2.6 assists per game this season, which is up from 1.8 assists as a rookie.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Kyle KuzmaLos Angeles LakersLuke Walton
ByMatthew Moreno
Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers games, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
eric-lakers@gmail.com _

Los Angeles Lakers

27.8K Subscribers
Add to Calendar
POWERED BY
SAT

4

oct
Suns at Lakers
Sat, Oct 4 | 2:00 AM · Acrisure Arena, 75702 Varner Rd, Palm Desert, CA, USA
Suns at Lakers
✔ 📺 Watch on SportsNet LA
confirmation_number
MON

13

oct
Warriors at Lakers
Mon, Oct 13 | 1:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Warriors at Lakers
✔ 📺 Watch on SportsNet LA
THU

16

oct
Mavericks at Lakers
Thu, Oct 16 | 2:00 AM · T-Mobile Arena, 3780 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Mavericks at Lakers
✔ 📺 Watch on SportsNet LA
SAT

18

oct
Kings at Lakers
Sat, Oct 18 | 2:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Kings at Lakers
✔ 📺 Watch on SportsNet LA
calendar_view_day
View All
See all upcoming and past events on Stanza.
Go to Stanza
Past Events
THU

1

may
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
Thu, May 1 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(96) - Minnesota Timberwolves(103)
SUN

27

apr
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
Sun, Apr 27 | 7:30 PM · Target Center, 600 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
✔ Minnesota Timberwolves(116) - Los Angeles Lakers(113)
SAT

26

apr
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
Sat, Apr 26 | 1:30 AM · Target Center, 600 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
✔ Minnesota Timberwolves(116) - Los Angeles Lakers(104)
WED

23

apr
Timberwolves (L) at Lakers (W)
Wed, Apr 23 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(94) - Minnesota Timberwolves(85)
SUN

20

apr
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
Sun, Apr 20 | 12:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(95) - Minnesota Timberwolves(117)
SUN

13

apr
Lakers (L) at Trail Blazers (W)
Sun, Apr 13 | 7:30 PM · Moda Center, 1 Center Court, Portland, OR
Lakers (L) at Trail Blazers (W)
✔ Portland Trail Blazers(109) - Los Angeles Lakers(81)
SAT

12

apr
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
Sat, Apr 12 | 2:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(140) - Houston Rockets(109)
WED

9

apr
Lakers (W) at Mavericks (L)
Wed, Apr 9 | 11:30 PM · American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Avenue, Dallas, TX
Lakers (W) at Mavericks (L)
✔ Dallas Mavericks(97) - Los Angeles Lakers(112)
WED

9

apr
Lakers (L) at Thunder (W)
Wed, Apr 9 | 12:00 AM · Paycom Center, 100 W. Reno Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK
Lakers (L) at Thunder (W)
✔ Oklahoma City Thunder(136) - Los Angeles Lakers(120)
SUN

6

apr
Lakers (W) at Thunder (L)
Sun, Apr 6 | 7:30 PM · Paycom Center, 100 W. Reno Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK
Lakers (W) at Thunder (L)
✔ Oklahoma City Thunder(99) - Los Angeles Lakers(126)
SAT

5

apr
Pelicans (L) at Lakers (W)
Sat, Apr 5 | 2:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Pelicans (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(124) - New Orleans Pelicans(108)
FRI

4

apr
Warriors (W) at Lakers (L)
Fri, Apr 4 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Warriors (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(116) - Golden State Warriors(123)
TUE

1

apr
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
Tue, Apr 1 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(104) - Houston Rockets(98)
SUN

30

mar
Lakers (W) at Grizzlies (L)
Sun, Mar 30 | 12:00 AM · FedExForum, 191 Beale Street, Memphis, TN
Lakers (W) at Grizzlies (L)
✔ Memphis Grizzlies(127) - Los Angeles Lakers(134)
FRI

28

mar
Lakers (L) at Bulls (W)
Fri, Mar 28 | 12:00 AM · United Center, 1901 W Madison Street, Chicago, IL
Lakers (L) at Bulls (W)
✔ Chicago Bulls(119) - Los Angeles Lakers(117)
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?