Los Angeles Lakers Kyle Kuzma finally achieved his dream of making it to the NBA, but he is just getting started on his journey.

Kuzma has somewhat of a polished game as a rookie, but he doesn't believe in getting complacent.

The rookie forward spent some time with legend Kobe Bryant at a West Hollywood steakhouse to pick his brain and discuss all things basketball; what it takes to get better and more, according to the OCR's Bill Oram. How much of that would Kuzma reveal and what subject specifically?

“Just work. That’s cliché, but that’s what he stands for, that’s what he values. That’s what I value. So that was really the message.”

Bryant to his credit, after retirement, has opened himself up to any NBA player that wants to get better and is willing to mentor anyone who wants to learn. He's been in contact with players such as Cavaliers Isaiah Thomas reviewing game film and giving advice on how to attack his opponent.

Kyle Kuzma
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Not only does Kuzma look up to Bryant, but he's interested in the details of the game which he felt was the perfect opportunity to get from Bryant, and the Mamba himself loves Kuzma's on-court tenacity. GM Rob Pelinka who was also Bryant's agent was certainly involved in making the connection happen, and couldn't have been happier about it.

“He’s just really enjoyed the way Kyle’s attacked his rookie year, he mentality he’s played with,” Pelinka said. “For him to grab dinner with him, swap war stories, is invaluable. And I think Kyle was in awe by everything he heard.”

Pelinka continues:

“Kyle said he heard stories he could have never imagined, And Kobe just said Kyle’s got an edge and a spirit about him, and he’s going to be one of those alpha dog players for this team, for sure.”

Kuzma in his own right has been great, and the potential showed as early as summer league games, but he believes the 5-time champion's wisdom is just what the doctor ordered to capitalize on his early career momentum.

“What was he doing as a young player to make those steps that he made to get from here to here. From here to here. Just what he did as a young player or what he wanted to learn back then. Stuff like that.”

The Lakers have a bright future.