Los Angeles Lakers rookie Kyle Kuzma says it is surreal to get to be around Magic Johnson.
There are some things that the Los Angeles Lakers can provide people that other NBA franchises cannot. The Lakers have a long history of being successful, winning 16 NBA Championships. It is a fraternity not everyone is lucky enough to be a part of. and is one that Kyle Kuzma is happy and excited to be joining.
Kuzma was selected with the 27th pick of the 2017 NBA Draft by the Lakers. The former Utah power forward has been working hard this offseason in preparation for his rookie season. We saw some of that work on display in the Las Vegas Summer League.
Kuzma shocked everyone in Las Vegas. He showed off shooting range that scouts didn’t believe he had. Kuzma was also the recipient of the MVP award in the championship game as he scored 30 points, including six made three-pointers and 10 rebounds.
The Flint, Michigan native grew up rooting for the Detroit Pistons. He fondly recalls the team that took home the NBA Title in 2004 that defeated the Lakers. It is something that could cause some animosity with fans, but Kuzma quickly embraced being part of the Lakers family.
IM A LAKER
— kuz (@kylekuzma) June 23, 2017
Another thing that comes with being from Michigan is a love of Magic Johnson. Lucky for Kuzma, he gets to be around one of the greatest point guards in NBA history on a daily basis. It is another perk of being with the Lakers working alongside Johnson.
Johnson was named the President of Basketball Operations prior to the NBA Trade Deadline in February. It signaled a change in direction for the franchise, who embraced a rebuild for essentially the first time in franchise history.
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Having Johnson around is something not every team has. How many teams have a multi-time champion and MVP to learn from in the front office? It is a resource Kuzma and the other youngsters should take full advantage of while they have the chance.
Earlier in the offseason, fellow rookie, Lonzo Ball, spoke about how much he looked forward to learning from and working with Magic. Kuzma feels the same way.
Kuzma discussed listening in on a conversation Johnson was having at the Lakers practice facility. Johnson was sharing a story from his playing days, and Kuzma paused to hear what he had to say.
It is save to say that Kuzma enjoys being around one of his idols growing up.
"“For me growing up in Michigan the first thing, if you’re a basketball fan, (that) you hear is Magic Johnson and those Michigan State teams,” Kuzma says.“For me to be a Laker and work beside him is an unbelievable feeling and pretty surreal because he’s one of the greatest.”"
There aren’t many better players to learn the game of basketball from than Magic Johnson. He was a wizard with the basketball, the leader of one of the greatest teams the NBA has ever seen in the Showtime Lakers.
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Johnson and Pelinka are hoping that they can recreate some of that success from the Showtime Lakers years and turn the franchise around. Kuzma, given his versatility, could prove to be a useful part of the turnaround.