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“He’d Still Be a Laker if He Did That in the League”: LeBron James’ Former Teammate Going Berserk at a Pro-Am Event Leaves NBA Fans Stunned

Published 08/11/2022, 8:00 AM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

The 2022-23 season is now only a couple of months away. Many players have been preparing for the upcoming season by showing up at various pro-am events. Stars like LeBron James, DeMar DeRozan, Trae Young, and others have already taken part in such events. Recently, a former NBA champion shut the gym down with his performance.

Kyle Kuzma, former NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, played at the Utah Powder Pro-Am event recently. While there was another NBA star, Scottie Barnes, present there as well, it was Kuzma who stole the show. The 27-year-old posted arguably one of the craziest stat lines ever.

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The former All-Rookie First-Team member dropped 67 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 assists. While NBA stars often dominate such events, seeing such an absurd stat line is rare. Kyle Kuzma has showcased his ability on occasions. However, he has not been able to make a name for himself in the league yet.

Kuzma was named the Summer League Championship Game MVP back in 2017 after posting a double-double. Over the next few years, he showcased glimpses of his potential. He played a big role in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ championship run in 2020.

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He averagedaveraged 10 points while playing 21 games in the 2020 playoffs. Known as a scorer initially, Kuzma had to adjust his role after the arrivals of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He did so excellently and it resulted in him getting a ring.

LeBron James appreciated Kyle Kuzma’s impact

LeBron James and Kyle Kuzma share a great camaraderie despite the age difference. While most of the young core of the Lakers was traded to acquire Anthony Davis, Kuzma was retained due to his ability to play multiple roles within the team. Although he struggled to adjust to his role initially, Kuzma became a key factor in the months to come.

via Imago

In an interview after a game in March 2021, James said of Kuzma, “It’s all about growth, and the game has just slowed down every year for him”. He continued, “He knows his role with this team and he does it to a high level, and tonight was another example of that.”

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Kuzma was eventually traded to the Washington Wizards before the start of the 2021-22 season along with other assets for Russell Westbrook. He averaged career highs in rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals thanks to an increased role in the capital.

Fans reacted accordingly on Twitter after seeing Kuzma’s performance.

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What do you think about Kyle Kuzma’s pro-am performance? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by:

Pragya Vashisth

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Pragya is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. Having completed Masters in Sports Management from the International Institute of Sports Management, Mumbai, he has been a passionate fan of the NBA since 2010. Pragya is a massive supporter of LeBron James and just wants to enjoy the twilight years of his Hall of Fame career.
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Edited by:

Veer Badani