At the 2017 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers (via Brooklyn Nets) selected Kyle Kuzma out of the University of Utah with the 27th overall pick. Some said he was drafted too high.
At the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League, Kyle Kuzma earned the championship game MVP after averaging 21.9 points and 6.4 rebounds. Some said it was just Summer League.
Heading into the 2017-18 NBA season, Kyle Kuzma earned playing time after averaging 17.7 points and 4.0 rebounds in the preseason. And now, they say he is the steal of the draft.
In just four months, the narrative has evolved, but Kuzma’s confidence in himself has remained constant. In an exclusive interview with ClutchPoints at The Optometry Practice of Dr. Alex Corbin Liu, the 22-year-old from Flint, Michigan reflected on his journey with the Lakers so far.
Dan Duangdao: How do you feel about being the steal of the draft and is there any pressure to live up to the hype?
Kyle Kuzma: It’s pretty cool to prove the doubters wrong, people who weren’t familiar with my game. Now they know how good I am, I’m sure. I don’t think there’s any pressure because I was picked 27th (laughs). If I was picked top-five, there would be some pressure, but I just try to come in and work hard every day and try to gain the respect of my teammates and coaches.
DD: Have you even surprised yourself at how quickly you’ve been able to adjust to the NBA?
KK: Not really because I work so hard on my game and I kind of expect this. I have high expectations for myself. If I have those expectations for myself, it kind of dims out all the publicity and stuff because I’m focused on what I need to do.
DD: Were there any teams that were interested in drafting you other than the Lakers?
KK: Coming into the draft process, I didn’t know who was going to draft me or who liked me. As the draft process went on and towards draft day, I kind of had a feel. If you were to ask me on draft day who do you think would have drafted you, I would say Lakers or Spurs.
DD: There was a video of you and Vince Carter talking during the preseason. Are you actively seeking advice from NBA legends like him?
KK: There’s a reason why they’re legends. For me, I want to be able to play in the NBA for a very long time. I can go up to any veteran that has played more than a few years in the league and ask them questions about how they’re so successful. For example, Vince Carter takes care of his body and has been in the league for 20 years, so I can learn those type of things to help prolong my career and it’s going to make me that much better.
DD: Lakers fans always want to know this, so have you talked to and/or worked out with Kobe Bryant yet?
KK: I haven’t talked to Kobe, haven’t seen him, but I would love to. I love his mentality and how he approaches the game and I try to approach it that type of way. Just how hard he worked on his game and I want to be known as that type of guy that works hard, too.
DD: Did you model your game after any players?
KK: I like Draymond Green, but I try to take pieces from everybody’s game. I watch Carmelo Anthony, I watch KD, I watch a mixture of everybody. I like to steal from multiple people because I’m not a position guy. I’m a basketball player, so I can learn from multiple guys.
DD: Did you prefer playing the three or four during the preseason?
KK: I just like being on the floor. For me, the four is easier because I’ve always played that my entire life and I haven’t really played the three in college or anything, so it was kind of new to me.
DD: Are there any players you’re looking forward to playing against?
KK: All the top NBA players. I don’t even have to name them. Just anybody who is at the top, I want to go against and test myself out.
DD: What are your goals for your rookie season and beyond?
KK: For my rookie season, I just want to get better every day, help my team win, and just contribute. And beyond, just become a great player in this league.
With President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson already calling him the ‘steal of the draft,' rival executives already ‘kicking' themselves for not drafting him, and Lakers fans already chanting ‘KUUUUUZ' at Staples Center, Kuzma’s rise in four months is extremely rare in all of sports. The 22-year-old has completely reenergized a Lakers organization and fan base that has been rebuilding for the past four seasons, but he is just getting started.
As Kuzma prepares for his NBA debut against the Los Angeles Clippers on Oct. 19, it will provide him another opportunity to turn his remaining doubters into believers. With Kuzma being the perfect stretch-four in today’s game, his high character and mentality are much-needed as the Lakers are looking to reestablish a winning culture in Los Angeles.
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