Kyle Kuzma: Situation Means Everything in the NBA

When it comes to the NBA, I must say that the league is both situational and political. There are layers of factors, in regards to the success of an NBA player. The situation that a player is a part of is essential to that player’s success. An NBA player could possibly have all the skills in the world, but may not always get the opportunity or platform to show it. Throughout the history of the NBA, we have seen situation and politics displayed numerous times from Lonzo Ball, Julius Randle, Kyle Kuzma, and many others. Playing behind a star, the coach not having confidence in the player, the bright lights of a major franchise, playing alongside Hall of Fame talents, etc. can all be attributed to the lack of a player’s success.

Let’s take Kyle Kuzma for example. Remember the Kyle Kuzma of old? The player everyone used as the scapegoat on the Lakers, the player who cared more about fashion than putting the ball in the hoop, the player who trended on social media for all the “wrong” reasons? Yeah, it seems as if that player no longer exists. Welcome to Kyle Kuzma 2.0 everyone! It’s amazing what opportunity and confidence can do for someone. During Kuzma’s last years in Los Angeles, it seemed as if he could do nothing right in the eyes of the fans. As we all know, playing under the bright lights of Los Angeles along side 2 first-ballot hall of famers isn’t easy in the slightest. Kuzma just simply didn’t fit along side LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but he has found new life in Washington, after being traded for Russell Westbrook, this past summer.

Kyle Kuzma is currently enjoying the best stretch of his career thus far, looking like the promising player he once was when he averaged 16 points and 6 rebounds as a rookie. Kuzma is a prime example of the NBA being situational. He had to sacrifice a vast majority of his skill set on the Lakers, but the Wizards are actually playing around his strengths. He is having one of the best seasons of his career thus far, averaging 21 points, along with 9 rebounds and 3 assists. Throughout the 55-game season, Kuzma has managed to record 22 double-doubles, setting a career high. With Bradley being out for the rest of the season, Kuz has turned into Washington's #1 option and is growing as a playmaker and shot creator with every game. He’s not just a fashion icon taking pictures more than practicing, he is blossoming into the player he was expected to be in Los Angeles. Remember, a player's situation means everything when it comes to performing in the NBA.