It has only been a short time since players have joined in the NBA bubble in Orlando, but there have already been a few notable names that have left to tend to personal matters. Although Zion Williamson, Montrez Harrell, and Patrick Beverley have left and will require another quarantine period to return, Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma has no intention of leaving the bubble.
Kuzma spoke to the media on Wednesday and discussed a number of different topics, including whether he'd leave the NBA bubble at any point for whatever reason. The third-year forward made it abundantly clear that he's not going anywhere with his sole focus being to help the Lakers win a ring.
“I mean, it's tough for me because I'm trying to win a ring, so I'm here,” Kuzma said. “If anything happens, sorry in advance.”
Although he's determined to stay in Orlando for the long haul, which could lead into early October if the Lakers go the distance, Kuzma does admit that it's tough to miss out on his dog growing up.
“My dog is growing up fast,” Kuzma said. “I don't have my dog here. She's getting taken care of. She's good.”
Another hot topic of discussion involving Kuzma has been head coach Frank Vogel and teammate Jared Dudley chiming in on whether the Utah product is the third option on the team behind superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Dudley believes there's no question that Kuzma is that guy and Vogel has been very impressed by what the former first-round pick as brought to the table while in the NBA bubble thus far, but as for the soon-to-be 25-year-old, he thinks it's all something media has been trying to run with.
“I don't even think about that,” Kuzma said of being labeled the Lakers' third option. “I don't even care about it. It's all about this team game. That's how we approach it.
“Obviously, I can score and get my own bucket, but we're just trying to play the right way. That's more of the media people trying to push it. I'm just being myself and doing me.”
Even though he's only been in the league for a few years and has dealt with drastic ups and downs while with the Lakers, the Michigan native is talking more and more like a veteran that's determined to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Kuzma may get some grief for his fashion statements or his antics on social media for time to time, but he seems to be locked in as the Lakers resume their run at a 17th NBA title.
Kuzma and company will get on the floor for the first time since March on Thursday, with the team going up against Luka Doncic's Dallas Mavericks in the team's first scrimmage. That game will be followed by two more scrimmages leading into next week when the eight seeding games will get underway with the Lakers set to take on Kawhi Leonard and the L.A. Clippers on July 30.
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