Kyle Kuzma praises coaching staff: “They let me be me”

Kyle Kuzma
Dec 2, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton () and Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma (0) during the Lakers 120-96 win over Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

With the Los Angeles Lakers season now over, there is uncertainty over who will be back next year. Most believe that head coach Luke Walton and his staff will not be back, although Magic Johnson’s sudden resignation could change that.

For his part, Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma is lending support to the entire staff. At his exit interview, Kuzma praised his coaches for giving him the opportunity to succeed from the get-go:

For whatever flaws Walton has, and there are plenty to analyze, it seems as though the head coach almost always had the respect of his players. There were some outbursts and arguments because of boiled over frustrations, but the young players, those who have been with Luke for more than a year, always seemed to be behind him.

That may not matter much, of course. The Lakers will have some changes in the front office that can lead to changes on the sidelines. LeBron James’ needs will be more crucial to address than Kuzma and the rest of the young core’s.

But Walton suddenly has some life in his career. There’s a chance he can survive all of this.

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