Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma admits that participating in the Team USA camp is more taxing than a regular training, but he believes it's way better than playing pickup games this summer.
Plenty of NBA stars withdrew from Team USA participation in order to prepare themselves for the upcoming NBA season. However, Kuzma thinks there's no better way to train than playing in the USA Basketball camp under some of the best minds in basketball and alongside some of the best players in the game.
"You can't beat this. … This is 10 times better than playing pickup games … here it's super high intensity and it's competitive …"
—@kylekuzma on USA Basketball training camp (via @mcten) pic.twitter.com/7GdiDs6lTz
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 15, 2019
Sure enough, there is plenty of truth to Kuzma's comments. Organized scrimmages and exhibitions with some of the best players in the world is sure to be an improvement over singular workouts and less rigid pickup sessions during the offseason.
The Lakers' rising star seems to be enjoying himself with Team USA, and the Purple and Gold couldn't be more satisfied with it. After all, the experience should only help speed up Kuzma's development into a true star in the NBA.
Kuzma averaged 18.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game for the Lakers in 2018-19. He also shot better compared to his rookie season, registering a 45.6 percent shooting clip from the field and 75.2 percent from the free-throw line.
Coach Frank Vogel needs Kuzma to step up next season, and he's certainly hoping that playing for Team USA will help him take that step.
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