Traded from the Lakers to the Wizards last summer to lure Russell Westbrook, Kyle Kuzma has taken a step forward this season, benefiting in particular from the injury of Bradley Beal. Considered first as a Lieutenant, he proves in this last part of the season that he can behave as a leader and as the player to do everything.
« On many occasions I have referred to him as a swiss army knife explains Wes Unseld Jr. Whatever we need, he is able to do it. You have to see his work ethic, because he is always thinking, trying to prepare himself, preparing his team. He devotes countless hours to it, even beyond training sessions: before, after, then in the evening. So it’s not surprising to see him playing at this level, because he really puts a lot of time and effort into it.« .
“It’s great to be in a situation where I can just be myself”
It gives 17.2 points on average, and for the rest, he brings 8.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. Those are his best career averages.
« It’s a big change of gear for me, a change of scenery » Estimate Kyle Kuzma. « I did everything I could to be useful when I was with my old team, changing roles every year for the good of the team and trying to fit in alongside some really great players. But here it’s very different, because I don’t necessarily have to. My role has changed. When you think of the first 25 games, I had a different role than I have now: I score more and I do more things with the ball in hand. It’s great to be in a situation where I can just be myself and do what I do, without putting myself down.. »
NBA champion with the Lakers, Kyle Kuzma was a “role player” in California, and he must now establish himself as an executive. All while remaining himself, and he knows that he remains a divisive player. Eccentric off the field, he does not hesitate to respond to trashtalking from the public.
« I believe that I am a divisive person recognizes Kyle Kuzma. ” Either they love me or they hate me. It’s either just love, or when we play outside, there are people who go crazy as we have seen this year. I am very misunderstood. »
Like recently when he arrived at a match with a sweater with the sleeves almost dragging on the ground. He got fucked up by fans, and even LeBron James. But he is happy to be himself, and to show that a player can do more than train and play.
« A fan thinks you have to live in the room, you have to die in the room, you have to wake up there… regrets Kyle Kuzma. ” It does not mean anything. I have a life. (…) I have friends, I have a family, I have a partner. I appreciate things. I’m 26 years old. My life is all about basketball. But at the same time, it’s not all about basketball. In the end, the fan is the most important part of it all. Without fans, there is no NBA. (…) But at the same time, you also have to know that we are human, too, and I can have this balance. »
| Kyle Kuzma | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Tirs | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Until | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | LAL | 77 | 31 | 45.0 | 36.6 | 70.7 | 1.1 | 5.1 | 6.3 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 16.1 |
| 2018-19 | LAL | 70 | 33 | 45.6 | 30.3 | 75.2 | 0.9 | 4.6 | 5.5 | 2.5 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 18.7 |
| 2019-20 | LAL | 61 | 25 | 43.6 | 31.6 | 73.5 | 0.9 | 3.6 | 4.5 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 12.8 |
| 2020-21 | LAL | 68 | 29 | 44.3 | 36.1 | 69.1 | 1.6 | 4.5 | 6.1 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 12.9 |
| 2021-22 | WAS | 59 | 34 | 45.6 | 34.3 | 72.5 | 1.1 | 7.7 | 8.8 | 3.3 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 17.1 |
| Total | 335 | 30 | 44.9 | 33.9 | 72.6 | 1.1 | 5.1 | 6.2 | 2.2 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 15.6 | |
