Kyle Kuzma Believes he Could Become the Next Lakers Superstar

Kyle Kuzma has high confidence in his abilities and believes he could develop into a superstar while playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The 24-year-old revealed his feeling that he has enough potential to rise to the rank of the best players in the league.

“I don’t feel no pressure, but I believe that I am capable of being that superstar,” Kuzma told ESPN journalist.

The MVP of the Rising Star game knows what the pluses are and what are the minuses in his game, and is ready to improve all the critical areas.

“If I can shoot the ball well and keep developing the facets of my game defensively, I don’t see why I can’t.”

According to Kuzma, LBJ and Anthony Davis are going to make everything much easier for him, due to their fantastic qualities. When you have two such dominant guys besides you, a lot of open space will pop out constantly.

Kyle Kuzma: I can become Lakers' 3rd superstar. https://t.co/1oDKnmX4Hw pic.twitter.com/AioioDxjgh

— theScore (@theScore) August 8, 2019

“It is going to be a little bit easier, going to have a lot of open shots. It is my job to trust my summer workouts and what I’ve done. Just breathe, focus, and knock those shots down, because I’m going to be open.”

The 6 foot 9 forward was projected to be the guy who could become the next Klay Thompson. With Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram, Kuz was supposed to be one of the cornerstones of the Lakers new team which would eventually attack the title. However, that didn’t happen.

In the new vision, Kuzma has the same spot. Only this time, he has much better teammates. Besides the above-mentioned James and Davis, we have to add that Lakers have DeMarcus Cousins, who will also make a huge impact under the rim. Now, we can realize how important it is for Kuz is to get in the shape and upgrade his game. His team doesn’t have a sharpshooter, especially in the starting lineup, and it is up to him to become one.

@kylekuzma today at @usabasketball practice in Las Vegas via @nba

– Offensive & Defensive mix****#Lakers #USABMNThttps://t.co/c1elMkn5w7 pic.twitter.com/X1Zi50JMAS

— LakersChapo (@LakersChapo) August 8, 2019

Kuzma profiled himself as a talented and hard-working player, whose maturity was way above the Lakers’ since he landed in LA. Of all the youngsters in the team, he was by far the most reliable one. Higher picks and bigger prospects than Kuzma were eventually traded, with him as the only one from that group who stayed in purple and gold. Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart are all in New Orleans now.

At the moment, Kuz is the only Laker who is called up by Gregg Popovich for the upcoming FIBA World Cup and is with the USA Basketball team. The 27th pick from the 2017 NBA draft is thrilled for having the opportunity to learn from San Antonio’s head coach.

“He’s my favorite coach of all time,” Kuzma said. “He’s won at every level he’s been at.”

The fact that Popovich wanted this young fellow in his squad for one big tournament such as the World Cup backs up all those claims about the players’ potential. During the previous season, he played 70 games for the Lakers, and averaged 18.7 points, with 5.5 boards, all that in 33.1 minutes on the floor. Still, his three-point percentage dropped from 36.6% in his rookie season to 30.3% in 2019.

Regardless of that, Kuzma’s efficiency went up. And if he continues to develop like this, there is no doubt that in no time, this talented guy will become a superstar.