Kyle Kuzma’s trade to the Milwaukee Bucks midway through the season had aimed to give the team a big lift.
Having traded their star Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma, the Bucks had high expectations from the one-time NBA champion as he had been performing well for the Washington Wizards.
Although Kuzma has shown glimpses, with a sensational performance in the final game of the season against Detroit Pistons, he has not managed to gain the confidence of Milwaukee Bucks fans.
He was expected to play third fiddle to Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is having a sensational year and Damian Lillard.
Lillard being ruled out of game one means Kuzma might have to level his game and show up for the Bucks in their first round matchup against the Indiana Pacers.
Former NBA player Paul Pierce shared his take on the Bucks’ chances and stated the forward would have to play a big role if the team were to advance into the next round.
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Kuzma was added to the Bucks after his terrific performances with the Wizards.
But Pierce believes his time with the Wizards, who have been in disastrous forms for the past few years has set the young player back.
Speaking on ‘The Ticket and The Truth,’ Pierce said: “If they [Milwaukee Bucks] got any chance, he [Kuzma] got to be a force, like its time for him to grow up.
“He been on that young team over there in Washington so that set him back a little bit being around all that immaturity so he got to get back to like where he was where his mindset was when he was around Bron and the Lakers and all of them to where he like, ‘All right I know what it feels like to win games.’
Pierce believes for the Bucks to have a chance against the Pacers, Kuzma would have to help out with at least 20-22 PPG.
“So he need to get back to that 20-22 mark,” he added.
Antetokounmpo has been dropping some special numbers for the Bucks all season, but the playoffs are going to be different and the Pacers are a deep team.
The Bucks will need all their players especially Kuzma, who has been on the big stage before to contribute.
There have been some positive updates on Lillard’s return, but even with that, Kuzma’s two-way play is going to be pivotal for the Bucks.
He has not been in the playoffs since his time with the LA Lakers, but his game has evolved since and Kuzma could prove to be instrumental in the first round matchup.
Kyle KuzmaLeBron JamesMilwaukee Bucks
