Kyle Kuzma intends to play, wear goggles Friday at Oklahoma City

The Los Angeles Lakers forward told reporters on Thursday that he wanted to return in Tuesday’s win over Oklahoma City.

Kyle Kuzma wants to ball and he won’t let a little eye abrasion stop him as he tries to channel Los Angeles Lakers legends of the past by making some memorable on-court moments while wearing some good old fashioned sports goggles.

Kuzma, who wanted to play in Tuesday’s win over the Thunder after leaving the game with blood coming from his right eye, told reporters who were in the building for Thursday’s Lakers practice that he would play while he worked out with some yellow-trimmed sports goggles specs. He also said that he wanted to go by the name “Big Game Kuz,” in honor of Lakers legend James Worthy, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

While I love the spirit from Kuzma to honor a Lakers legend who wore specs, you can’t call yourself “Big Game” anything until you play in an actual big NBA game. Maybe he could be something like “Kareem Abdul-Kuzma” if he brings out a skyhook while he rocks the goggles. But the “Big Game” moniker should be reserved for those who have big games. Kuzma will have a chance to earn that nickname with a rolling Lakers squad at the top of the West, but he hasn’t gotten there just yet.