Over the weekend, a Laker fan started a petition to make sure Kyle Kuzma does not get a ring if the Lakers win the NBA Title.
Interestingly enough, Kuzma is the second Laker player to get criticism for his role with the team.
Fans have started a petition to not give Kyle Kuzma a ring if the Lakers win the championship
It has already received over 5,000 signatures pic.twitter.com/lqmH7ziEpG
— Top Ball Coverage (@TopBallCoverage) October 4, 2020
Laker fans aren’t happy with his production this year, as made evident by the nearly 11,000 signatures on the petition.
This is a dramatic swing from how fans felt about Kuzma in June of 2019.
Following the blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis, Kuzma was the one piece of the Lakers’ young core not sent to the Pelicans.
After averaging nearly 19 PPG last season, Kuzma was seen as the third piece of a potential “Big 3” with LeBron James and Davis.
However, his stats dipped nearly across the board this year.
He averaged career lows in points-per-game, assists-per-game, rebounds-per-game, and minutes-per-game.
Most of this can be attributed to losing the starting job to Davis.
After starting 68 games a year ago, he only started 9 games this year.
No Negative Impact by Kuzma
His play has not greatly hurt the Laker team as a whole this year.
They were the 1 seed in the Western Conference and are currently up 2-1 in the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat.
Although Kuzma has not played particularly well in the Finals, he has not played poorly either.
Kuzma is averaging 11 PPG in the Finals while shooting nearly 40% from 3.
With James and Davis providing the star power, Kuzma is just another role player who needs to knock down open 3’s created by James.
Kuzma has already responded about the petition and online criticism.
Kyle Kuzma responds to the haters:
“I don’t give a f*ck. I don’t care. Twitter is for jokes…”
More: https://t.co/TFkf9CEwra pic.twitter.com/azTwCq2Gwy
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) October 5, 2020
In addition, he has had plenty of support downplaying the petition.
Support your team. https://t.co/o2yBMU7Hp0
— Kobe Bryant Lakers Murals (@kobemurals) October 4, 2020
If you signed the petition to not give Kyle Kuzma a ring go join the Clippers fanbase. You are not welcome in Lakerland.
— LakersSpin (@LakersSpin) October 4, 2020
Any “fan” signing this ish about @kylekuzma does not know basketball. Anyone paying attention can see the work he put in during the “break” on his playmaking and defense. He’s no longer just a shooter. He’s constantly moving without the ball and playing Dhttps://t.co/FDsUxpy3Se
— Jullian (@Jullian_Goodin) October 4, 2020
Are we forgetting how valuable Kyle Kuzma is? Listen , playing a role on a team will bring some off nights. We have two dominant players and a bunch of other players who also can play. If you are a team player , you will certainly have some off nights . #keepkuz
— Metta World Peace (@MettaWorld37) October 5, 2020
This could all be for nothing if the Lakers do not close out the Finals against the Heat.
After dominating games 1 and 2, they allowed Jimmy Butler to post a 40-point triple-double in a Heat win.
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