Doc Rivers isn’t wasting time setting the tone for Kyle Kuzma. Speaking about his new forward, the Bucks head coach said Kuzma’s days of taking whatever shot he wanted in Washington are over, stressing that better shot selection is the key to maximizing his role in Milwaukee.
“For me, Kuz’s key is just his shot profile, getting that to where it should be,” said Rivers, via Eric Nehm. “In Washington, he could literally take any shot. In those five years in Washington, he took a ton of midrange shots, and that’s just not what we want and so he got the message.”
It’s been a rough time for the Bucks ever since their title run in 2021. With the team on a steep decline, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future is growing increasingly uncertain, and it has put all the pressure on the organization to prove they are in a position to compete for the foreseeable future. Fortunately, the Bucks are expected to be among the NBA elite this season with Antetokounmpo, Myles Turner, Bobby Portis, and Kevin Porter Jr. While they lost Damian Lillard to the Trail Blazers, the Bucks believe they can stay afloat in the standings if Kyle Kuzma improves his game. Particularly, coach Rivers wants Kuzma to play smarter and learn how to take better shots with the ball.
Kuzma, 30, spent the first half of last season with the Washington Wizards, where he was essentially allowed to take whatever shot he wanted. On a team in no position to compete, Kuzma had the green light to shoot at will, and it meant that he didn’t have to be selective with his attempts. Of course, the results were less than favorable for the Wizards, who finished 15th in the East at 18-64. The culture in Washington is notoriously bad, and there’s no system of accountability to hold the players in check.
When Kuzma was traded to the Bucks mid-season, it was a chance to compete for something greater and pick up championship habits to increase his effectiveness overall. So far, he hasn’t wasted the opportunity, averaging 14.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists on 45.5% shooting in 33 games for the franchise.
Those numbers are relatively tame for Kuzma, and Doc Rivers believes he’s capable of more. Alongside Giannis and other proven veterans, Kuz has the chance to make a strong impression and serve as the missing link that brings everything together. If he can learn to play off Giannis more and figure out which shots are worth taking, he can maximize that sidekick role in Milwaukee and help the franchise slide back into the championship picture.
For now, as presently constructed, the Bucks are still considered underdogs compared to teams like the Cavaliers, Knicks, and Celtics (when healthy). Still, with a 2-time MVP on the squad surrounded by a solid supporting cast, the Bucks cannot be disregarded, and they must be afforded proper respect.
As for Kuzma: if he buys into what Doc Rivers is preaching, the Bucks might unlock a version of him we haven’t seen before. He doesn’t need to be a star, just a reliable, efficient scorer who complements Giannis and gives Milwaukee a steadier offense. The blueprint is there. Now it’s up to Kuzma to prove he can follow it.
