When preparing this series, the question on everyone’s mind was who would fall on the sword and write about Kyle Kuzma. I decided to be that person because what better way to self-depreciate yourself than
CHOOSING to try and explain Kyle Kuzma’s importance to the team this season? Kuzma has made it to the top ten, finishing 7th in our ranking, which seems to be a perfect encapsulation of Kyle Kuzma’s tenure on the Bucks.
We can all acknowledge that Kuzma had an uphill climb to win over the fans. Milwaukee’s beloved franchise legend, Khris Middleton, was part of a trade that brought Kuzma to the Bucks, which is hard and not something Kyle could control. The only way to win the fans is through his play, and Kuzma gave glimpses of how he could fit into the Bucks.
But that’s the case with Kyle Kuzma. There are “concepts” and “ideas” of a role he can play. He has the physical tools to work in the modern NBA. He has the look of a basketball player. However, it’s been long enough in his career that we must admit defeat in hoping those ideas and concepts will work for the Bucks.
Kyle Kuzma simply does not contribute to winning basketball.
Despite the physical tools, Kuzma’s inability to finish around the rim is infuriating, and there were plenty of moments where he would put up a tough layup when it wasn’t necessary. His desire to shoot threes as a stretch four does more harm than good with his severely underwhelming shooting percentages. The basketball IQ when the ball isn’t in his hands is above average, and then it downgrades when the ball is in his hands. His Game 1 against the Pacers in this year’s playoff series was the definition of just getting some cardio. When Kuzma was pulled from the rotation, the Bucks’ performance in Games 4 and 5 showed how much of a non-factor he was.
To his credit, Kuzma’s defense is passable. He does give effort, and his length can cause passing lanes to not exist for the opposing team. The highlight of Kuzma’s defense was his showing against Joel Embiid against the Sixers shortly after the trade deadline, where he held his own and frustrated Embiid. Kuzma was also one of the few Bucks who wanted to get rebounds and succeed in a team where too many guys were hoping Brook Lopez could box out three dudes, and the ball would land to them. This is where Kuzma can provide value and usefulness this season for the Bucks as Doc Rivers attempts to solve the puzzle of his big rotation.
Kuzma’s value might be best as a trade piece, and I’m sure general manager Jon Horst will try to find a package that includes Kuzma when we get close to the trade deadline. That will be tough, as Kuzma’s stock is as low and worthless as that of the US industrial sector in October 1929. I’m unsure what will happen, but ideally, Jon Horst doesn’t have his version of the Smoot-Hawley Act. For Kuzma, being in a category of terrible midseason trade acquisitions, including Jae Crowder, wasn’t what the Bucks leadership or Doc Rivers imagined. It simply can’t go on like this, can it!?!?
It can.
6th is next. Check back tomorrow for a preview of him.
