Kyle Kuzma made a clutch shot to hand the Wizards a victory over the streaking Cleveland Cavaliers. Yes, a little surprising, but Kuzma turned up in the clutch for the Washington Wizards.
After the horrific bittersweet ending to his Lakers career, Kuzma seems to have revived his prospects with the Wizards. Naturally, Laker fans are in disbelief that Kuz was the one the Wizards relied on. Moreover, the fact that he delivered is hurting them even more because his time at the Lakers was arguably plagued by choking in the decisive moments. Consequently, Kuzma received a lot of criticism in his time at the Lakers.
However, this recent clutch performance was a silencer for most of Kuzma’s critics.
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KUZ GAME WINNING 3️⃣!
(Via @nbabet)pic.twitter.com/FwiXtIngaX
— 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙣’ 𝙉𝘽𝘼 🗣️ (@_Talkin_NBA) November 11, 2021
Fans react to Kyle Kuzma’s clutch basket; Lakers fans annoyed
His clutch shot received two extreme reactions, one of respect, and the other comparing with his former (Laker) self.
NO MORE KUZMA HATE
— Jacob Lister (@lister_jacob) November 11, 2021
@kylekuzma for game❗️❗️ stop sleeping on him https://t.co/Wwps1RP84s
— DH.DEVO (@DEVOCERTIFIED) November 11, 2021
https://twitter.com/LakeShowYo/status/1458631378535206918
i can’t believe mfs lost to kuzma
— JayUno ひ (@TruuJay4) November 11, 2021
The LeBrakers looking at Kyle Kuzma like this 😂 pic.twitter.com/kKUDG4Zy75
— Josias 🕊 (@osijass) November 11, 2021
I Keep Telling Laker Fans!! They Will Regret Giving Up Kuzma For Westbrook!! Kuzma Is That Dude!! He Can Make Those Shots And Plays That Westbrook Can't! With Kuzma Lakers Were Winning The Chip! With Westbrook I'm Not Sure They Get Out The Play In Game!😬 pic.twitter.com/dOeCICsYuG
— Tony Romo (@ActorTonyRomo) November 11, 2021
All them years of Bron doing it now we come to find out even Kuzma coulda done it GOTDAMN that's a legacy damager https://t.co/Uvou5xizMq
— A(m)ir Jordan (@AmirThe2nd) November 11, 2021
Me seeing Kuzma flourishing with the Wizards while the Lakers are struggling https://t.co/ZbPh9efYeR pic.twitter.com/3kl5swBhjX
— These N-words need a N-word (@KingPicklestan) November 11, 2021
Lakers fans seeing Kuzma actually make shots pic.twitter.com/URBCEU748j
— RAD (@radvstheworld) November 11, 2021
Lakers fans seeing Kuzma, Harell and Caruso balling out pic.twitter.com/NA0zY3IMwa
— James "Harden" JR (@Shainevercaps) November 11, 2021
What does this mean for Kyle Kuzma and the Washington Wizards?
The Washington Wizards seem to have maximized from the Russell Westbrook trade. Consequent to the win over the Cavaliers, Wizards are now at the top of the Eastern Conference.
While they struggled to even make the playoffs last season, Washington looks like a side with renewed energy and brilliant chemistry. This is the reason they are above contending stacked teams like Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls at the moment.
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Wizards brought in Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, and Kentavious Caldwell Pope as a part of the trade for Russell Westbrook. This trade seemed to be good on paper for the Wizards. Considering that statistically, Westbrook might be more dominant than any of these players, their combined skillsets have helped the franchise on both ends of the court. They can all be the role players who step up in a time when the team needs them the most.
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However, they should know that this run of form is still not at championship level. While the franchise can rely on Bradley Beal to consistently deliver, they should still work on improving their chemistry as a team.
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