Kyle Kuzma Makes Bold Claim About NBA Playoffs

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Orlando Magic v Washington Wizards
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards calls out from the bench during the game against the Orlando Magic at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2023 in Washington, DC. 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 Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
Kyle Kuzma backed his former team to win the Western Conference.

Kyle Kuzma has a lot of time to think about basketball right now. His Washington Wizards failed to make the playoffs, finishing with a 35-47 record. They have now missed the playoffs in back-to-back years for the second time in the last five seasons. Kuzma was the team's third-best scorer over the course of the season.

However, Kuzma isn't thinking about the Wizards and what will presumably be a tough offseason for the team. Nor is he thinking about his future, as the 23/24 is a player option year for the small forward. Instead, Kuzma is focused on the playoffs and decided to make a bold claim concerning his pick for the Western Conference champions.

Kuzma Backs His Former Team

In a tweet posted Tuesday afternoon, Kuzma backed his former team, the LA Lakers, to take represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals. "My hot take.. (but not really) I think the lakeshow can get to the finals.." the tweet read. At the time of writing, the tweet has garnered over 19,000 likes and nearly 900 comments. Kuzma played for the Lakers between 2017 and 2021. He won a championship with the team in the 19/20 Bubble season. It's clear he still has love for his former team.

But just how hot is Kuzma's take? On the surface, the Lakers to the Finals would seem like a sure thing given the talent available to LA. But injuries and inconsistency have followed the Lakers all season. They didn't reach a .500 record until the 74th game of the season. While all are listed as probable, LeBron, D'Angelo Russell, and Anthony Davis are each dealing with a day-to-day injury. And then there's the Lakers' road to the Finals. First, they have to make it out of the Play-In Tournament. That pits them against either the Nuggets or the Grizzlies. The Lakers have a 2-2 record against the Nuggets and a 2-1 record against the Grizzlies this season. But nothing is ever certain in the playoffs and the West's top seeds won't be easy pickings. Kuzma can be applauded for his faith in his former team. However, only time will tell whether his take was indeed, hot.

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About The Author
Ben Mock
Benjamin Mock (they/them) is a sports and culture writer working out of Philadelphia. Previously writing for the likes of Fixture, Dexerto, Fragster, and Jaxon, Ben has dedicated themselves to engaging and accessible articles about sports, esports, and internet culture. With a love for the weirder stories, you never quite know what to expect from their work.
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