"We like to call it prison for athletes" - Kyle Kuzma reveals what playing for LA Lakers in the NBA Bubble felt like
Former LA Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma appeared on the 'No Chill' podcast and candidly shared his NBA bubble experiences. And it sure doesn't sound like the vacation resort like from the outside.
He stated:
"We like to call it prison for athletes. That's what it was. We couldn't leave, nothing. It's kind of like the movie 'Get Out' or something. You just do the same thing every single day. That was like walking the same hall every day, passing by Jimmy Butler every day, passing by somebody else."
Even though the league made sure that the bubble was equipped with top-notch facilities, the feeling of being separated from their families for an extended period of time cannot be overlooked. The players had to face mental challenges that had never been experienced before in NBA history.
Time and again, the difficulties of winning in the bubble have been openly expressed by a bunch of star players, and Kuzma is the latest in that thread.
Time and again the difficulties of winning in the bubble have been openly expressed by several star players, with Kuzma being the latest in that thread.
Yet, despite such difficulties and being benched for so long, the Lakers forward averaged 10 points per game. It eventually ended with the LA Lakers clinching an NBA title.
The status quo between Kyle Kuzma and the LA Lakers
Kyle Kuzma was moved as part of a trade that brought nine-time All-Star Russell Westbrook to the LA Lakers. He was drafted by the LA Lakers in 2017 and played his first four seasons in purple-n-gold.
During his time with the Lakers, Kuzma averaged 15.2 points and 5.2 boards, on 45% shooting from the field. During his last season, he improved his three-point shooting conversion to over 36%, which was a drastic improvement.
The Lakers forward has been getting in intense workouts with his Wizards co-star Spencer Dinwiddie and things look hopeful.
With Anthony Davis and LeBron James at the helm, Kuzma saw his offensive role diminish and he pivoted into a serial rebounder and streaky scorer. His presence alongside Bradly Beal and Spencer Dinwiddie will be highly fruitful, citing the valuable experience he has gained with the LA Lakers.
Also Read: Who is Kyle Kuzma’s girlfriend, Winnie Harlow?