via Getty
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts with Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
via Getty
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts with Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
In 2020, the Los Angeles Lakers lifted the NBA trophy. This marked the fourth title win for LeBron James and ended the Lakers’ playoffs drought. The championship banner was a little more special as the team had fulfilled their mission of winning it for Kobe Bryant. However, this win came at a time when the pandemic forced the NBA to take an unprecedented turn.
The pandemic resulted in the formation of a bio-bubble in Disney Park in Orlando. Players stayed in the bubble for months and followed strict rules. This three-month-long bubble was successful because no one tested positive for COVID-19. Furthermore, the season closed with a winner. While the success was celebrated, the bio-bubble proved taxing for each team. With this in mind, recently, Kyle Kuzma opened up about this experience.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Kyle Kuzma on life in the bio-bubble
In 2020, Kyle Kuzma played for the Lakers and bagged his first championship title. Naturally, in almost every interview, the current Washington Wizards star is questioned about the championship. On the ‘Ball Don’t Stop’ podcast, Kuzma was asked about the bio-bubble stint and the championship.
Kuzma candidly spoke about life in the bio-bubble. He highlighted that the three months of bio-bubble life tested each player’s love for the game. He commented that 2020 was not easy, but his love for basketball helped him manage the extremities of the situation. Kuzma claimed that it was the same for the others.
He said, “The bubble was a true test of that. Do you want to be locked up for three months and play basketball for a championship?” He mentioned that not everyone is built for this and spoke about how being away from normalcy was “real and tough”.
Kyle Kuzma says the 2020 bubble wasn’t easier, it was a true test of who really loved the game of basketball.
📺 FULL: https://t.co/LG4BElGLLJ pic.twitter.com/AqHlDhwF2Y
— Ball Don't Stop (@balldontstop) January 27, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The NBA Champion then mentioned how specific players performed through the playoffs. Further, he mentioned that players (like him) stuck through the “deep core” or final stages of the season because they genuinely love the game and are in love with their craft.
Kyle Kuzma’s reunion with LeBron James looks bleak
During the 2021-22 off-season, Kyle Kuzma was traded to the Washington Wizards. However, now his future in the team is questionable. Recently, as per the Atheltic, Kuzma is believed “to decline his $13 million player option for next season”. He aims to enter the free agency.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch the Story – Magic Johnson dropped the hammer on former teammate as LeBron James nears iconic NBA scoring record
Amid these reports, some speculated that Kuzma would reunite with LeBron James and the Lakers. However, with the Rui Hachimura trade, this seems to be no longer a possibility. With that said, fans wait in anticipation to know Kuzma’s future in the league.
