Familiar moments unfolded early in the second quarter of the Lakers’ dominant victory over the Kings on Sunday night, despite the rarity of the actual plays.
The first instance: after intercepting Malik Monk’s drive out of a pick and roll to force a pass to Drew Eubanks, who mishandled the ball following a deflection from Marcus Smart, Maxi Kleber regained his position and blocked Eubanks’s layup attempt at the 9:17 mark of the second quarter, initiating the Lakers’ fast break.
The second instance: following the Lakers’ execution of their Stack action, Luka Doncic delivered a one-handed pass to a rolling Kleber in the paint, with Kleber taking two swift steps before dunking over Precious Achiuwa a couple of minutes later, right after the blocked shot.
Sunday marked the second consecutive game that Kleber, who posted six points, six rebounds, and a blocked shot against the Kings, participated in the rotation after logging 13 minutes against the Warriors on Saturday night.
However, throughout most of the season, Kleber’s playing time has been inconsistent, typically becoming part of the rotation when the Lakers face injuries or foul trouble.
This is why every player on the Lakers’ bench leaped to their feet to celebrate Kleber’s moments — a usual reaction for highlight plays, yet these moments were charged with added excitement because it was Kleber who executed them.
“We have so many great guys on our team,” coach JJ Redick stated. “I love these guys. [Kleber’s] teammates care about him. He’s an excellent teammate. It’s easy to support his success.”
What makes Kleber so likable?
“He does everything right, man,” Smart shared with the California Post. “And he’s such a kind person. He genuinely wishes for everyone’s success, even when he’s not winning due to limited playing time. Despite not getting the ball as often as he’d like, that doesn’t stop him from supporting his teammates. When his opportunity arises, he takes full advantage of it.”
The 11 minutes per game that Kleber averages through 60 games is notably the lowest of his career, nearly six minutes less than the 16.8 he averaged during his rookie year.
It’s not only his playing time that has declined; he’s also recording career-low statistics across a variety of categories.
Yet, at 34 years old, Kleber remains a crucial teammate and veteran influence in the Lakers’ locker room.
“There’s not a negative bone in his body towards anyone,” Smart remarked. “When you have someone like that, it can be easy to take him for granted. But it’s equally easy to root for him incredibly when he gets his chance because of everything he contributes that doesn’t appear in the stats.”
“His ability to communicate with teammates, leveraging his experience and understanding of his situation to uplift others is remarkable. He could easily sit and sulk, and no one would fault him. But he chooses not to. Having someone like that creates a positive aura.”
This makes the impactful plays Kleber performs when on the floor, along with the energy they ignite, infectious.
“He always brings a lot of positive energy,” Rui Hachimura noted. “We often discuss our desire to emulate him. Regardless of whether he’s playing or not, he’s always on the bench, cheering for the team and seeking ways to contribute to victories. This mindset is significant; he understands his role perfectly.”
The energy Kleber brings to the Lakers tends to cycle back to him.
“Anytime I make a play, I look to the bench and everyone’s celebrating,” Kleber said. “It certainly provides a boost for me, as well as for the team.”
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