LOS ANGELES _ Kyle Kuzma knows exactly what his reputation is. It's based on his strength as a scorer. People think he's a gunner and that he doesn't pass the ball.
But in the Los Angeles Lakers' last two games, Kuzma showed that isn't all he is. Against Detroit, Kuzma had 10 assists, a career high. Against New York on Sunday, he had eight.
With the playoffs out of reach, that's no coincidence.
"I'm just trying to use these next last 13, 14 games, whatever we have, just try to develop good habits," Kuzma said. "Season's pretty much over so that's the only thing I can really do. Everyone knows I'm a good scorer and I can do that. I'm just trying to complete my game."
His three highest assist totals, including Feb. 23 against New Orleans when he had seven, have come since the All-Star break. Last season Kumza didn't have a single game with more than six assists.
Sunday at Madison Square Garden, Kuzma dished out a no-look, alley-oop to JaVale McGee that surprised even him. SLAM Magazine posted the clip of the play on Twitter with the caption: "Didn't know Kuz could dime like this (to be honest)."
Kuzma replied: "Me either," with an emoji of laughter.
It was perhaps his second-most impressive assist of this road trip. In Chicago, Kuzma delivered a lofted bounce pass that LeBron James grabbed and threw down a reverse dunk.
"I want to become a good player, and have an overall game," Kuzma said. "Everybody's really looking at me to shoot all the time, from a defensive standpoint. I'm now seeing that, seeing my teammates are open. And it's funner like that."
