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Lakers vs Rockets: Fans want more of an improved Kuzma after Game 3 win, ask 'why are we playing Danny Green?'

Rondo had 21 points and nine assists, while Kuzma scored 17 points off of the bench with many coming out of cuts

Kyle Kuzma is in the spotlight. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis being the usual stars for the side, they had two new playoff heroes in Kuzma and Rajon Rondo who chipped in with valuable points in the Lakers 112-102 win over the Rockets on Tuesday, September 8.

Rondo had 21 points and nine assists, while Kuzma scored 17 points off of the bench with many coming out of cuts. Twitter was mighty impressed with the 25-year-old power forward. "Thoughts on my @LAKERS game 3: Incredible that our Lakers won despite playing 8 vs 5. Refs will not give Lebron or AD or Caruso the benefit of the doubt unless the coach challenges them! Why are we playing Green?! It should be Kuzma - Howard for McGee to start. Caruso over KCP" read one of the tweets.

For some fans, it was good news that players other than AD and LeBron were stepping up. "Lakers gotta keep doing what they're doing against the Rockets. Meaning other players, not LeBron or AD has to show up consistently. The last game was Morris, today it was Rondo and Kuzma. Rockets are in deep trouble if they don't out offense the Lakers," read one of the comments.

"Kuz did a good job on him in the seeding games. They went from hunting Kuzma to calling for switches when he was guarding Kawhi because he was doing well defensively so my hopes are up. That’s really the only reason I mentioned him," a fan wrote.

Ahead of the game, Kuzma also expressed his intent on being an impact player after Sunday's game. Talking to reporters he said he was looking at chipping more to the defense. "For me, just trying to get out of that corner. When I’m in the corner, it’s kind of tough for me to do certain things, so I’m just trying to move around more and punish them."

"Those rotations were super clean. Really cool to watch. It looks like Kuzma is figuring some stuff out too. Finding cutting lanes as his defender watches Lebron with the ball" one of the fans opined.

At this stage, it is safe to say Kuzma has done enough to cement a starting position in the side. He's been clinical and has ensured the Rockets have more than just LeBron and AD to worry about. With Rondo coming in, the Lakers seem to be a different team as he will have been in the scoring mix for the side in the last two games. The defense certainly has received a boost and the double-manning of James Harden is just proof that the Lakers are indeed an improved unit.

One of the fans shared their thoughts on Kuzma's progress. "Game 1, Kuz wasn't good. 3-9 for 8p, got bullied on drives by Harden/Russ/Gordon. Defense has flipped Games 2 & 3, where he's shot 13-17 from the field for 27p. It's been so fun to watch @kylekuzma progress in the league from scoring dynamo rookie to closing out playoff games," the comment read.

What are your thoughts on Kuzma's improved performance? Both sides meet for Game 4 on Thursday, September 10.