Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma began his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played alongside four-time NBA champion LeBron James and was part of the team that won the 2020 title.
Now one of the Bucks’ reliable veterans, Kuzma revealed how James influenced his career by motivating him to put in extra work off the court.
Kyle Kuzma Details How LeBron James’ Lifestyle Influenced His NBA Career
Kuzma appeared on the latest episode of the “White Noise Podcast” with Boston Celtics guard Derrick White and discussed his stint with the Lakers, particularly during the 2019-20 season. At the time, he was a young player alongside a veteran core that included James, Anthony Davis, Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Danny Green.
The 6-foot-8 forward recounted how James’ affluent lifestyle influenced his progression, comparing the four-time MVP to the “North Star” that motivated him to maximize his earnings.
“You see Bron … He’s got so much money that you just see a certain type of life that is maybe not attainable because not everybody can be a billionaire, but it’s like a North Star to you,” Kuzma said. “Like, this guy’s got a lot of motion, and you just look at things off the court where it’s like, ‘I actually can do more,’ and you gotta put your mind to it.”
Aside from James, Kuzma also admired how Rondo prepared for games. He learned valuable lessons from the veteran guard, who retired a two-time NBA champion.
“And then Rondo, because he’s just so sophisticated, so smart basketball-wise. He’s like a savant. It made you wanna pick up your acumen,” Kuzma said. “He would call sometimes after a game at like 3 a.m., ‘Yo, what you doing?’ ‘I’m in bed.’ He’s like, ‘Yo, turn the game on, go to 8:10 in the third quarter. What are you thinking here?’ And that’s motivating.”
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Kuzma spent his first four seasons with the Lakers and was a key contributor, whether starting or coming off the bench. He appeared in 276 games in Los Angeles, averaging 15.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per night.
Kuzma was traded to the Washington Wizards in August 2021, where he played for three and a half seasons. He was later shipped to the Bucks and is expected to be one of their steadying presences following Giannis Antetokounmpo’s blockbuster trade to the Miami Heat this offseason.
The 30-year-old could draw on the wisdom he gained from James and Rondo during his time with the Lakers to help the new-look Bucks stay competitive next season.
