This past Saturday against the Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Lakers small forward Kyle Kuzma hit a shot over the backboard, something Lakers legend Kobe Bryant did as well during his playing days.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrJxnFGhTBL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Eager to get his take on the shot, Kyle Kuzma told reporters on Wednesday he texted Kobe Bryant his highlight and that the Black Mamba just laughed about it.

The degree of difficulty to hit these type of shots is off the charts. Kuzma has been putting up some monster stats in the month of December, numbers that would surely make Kobe proud.

In five games in December, Kuzma is averaging 25.0 points per game while shooting 52.7 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from beyond the arc. The Lakers are 4-1 in those games.

Kuzma made the All-Rookie team last season. The 23-year-old has definitely taken the next step this year as a sophomore, putting up 17.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 48.2 percent from the floor and 32.0 percent from the 3-point line. The Lakers have an offensive rating of 116.6 when Kuzma is on the floor, and that rating drops to 109.1 when Kuzma goes to the bench.

The Lakers are playing their best basketball of the season right now and Kuzma is a big reason why.