Kyle Kuzma is the last man standing. The Los Angeles Lakers forward feels like the last remaining vestige that the squad had to the deep, dark trenches they franchise found itself in just a few years ago.
Sure, they still have Alex Caruso and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, both of whom joined the team during Kuzma's 2017-18 rookie season. But neither of whom felt like a true part of the core at the time for the future that the Lakers were trying to build towards.
Fast forward to four years later and Kuzma is part of the Lakers group witnessing the Purple & Gold raise another championship banner. It's their 17th as a franchise and their first since 2010, when the team was still spearheaded by Lakers icon Kobe Bryant.
Loved this quote from Kyle Kuzma on what it meant to him to see that banner raised tonight.#LakeShow pic.twitter.com/yk2jbnPiJn
— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) May 13, 2021
Say what you want about Kyle Kuzma, but the kid never forgets his roots. He always remember to shout out his hometown of Flint, Michigan. He has that same energy for his humble beginnings, both in life and during his NBA career.
Kyle Kuzma showed exactly why he's a valuable member of the team, coming up huge to save the Lakers in the dying moments against the Rockets. With no LeBron James or Anthony Davis, it was Kuz who came up came through in the clutch. His complete line was a welcome sight, adding 10 rebounds and seven assists to his 19 point total on efficient shooting.
"It's time to tighten up the screws and get back on track." – KYLE KUZMA after making the game-winner in the Lakers' 3rd straight win.
19 PTS | 10 REB | 7 AST | 67% FGpic.twitter.com/hItdTHLWPV
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) May 13, 2021
While Kuzma has his fair share of doubters as an up-and-down contributor on this title-contending Lakers side, nobody can argue he's put his all into making the team what it is today.
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