Kyle Kuzma defied Bucks' coaching malpractice and met immediate consequences

Kyle Kuzma should be lauded for filling the Milwaukee Bucks' void of veteran leadership, encouraging his young teammates to remain confident in their play and true to themselves.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, that's the message Kuzma imparted to guards Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. in a players-only meeting on March 2, after coaches criticized them for so-called "selfish play." Suddenly, Kuzma's odd benching makes sense. 

"Multiple sources said Kuzma told teammates, specifically Rollins and Porter, that they can't take what was said to heart, not to worry about the coaches and to be their best selves moving forward. Coaches learned of Kuzma's message over the next 24 hours, and Kuzma did not play in the following game against the Celtics. Rivers said after the game that it was a coach's decision, and sources said the two had a conversation later in the week to hash out the situation before Kuzma's return to the rotation."

Kudos to Kuzma for backing up his teammates. Shame on the coaching staff for completely mishandling a mess they created in the first place. 

Kuzma voiced support Bucks coaches miserably failed to supply

The players-only meeting was a direct response to a bungled message from coaches after an ugly loss to the Bulls. What was intended as a "rallying cry" sowed the seeds of dissonance, escalating the disconnect between players and coaches. 

Ineffective communication made a tone-deaf premise worse. According to coaches, says Charania, the message "was also meant to empower Rollins and Porter to play as leaders." Clearly, it was not received as intended. 

With a lack of appropriate guidance from Doc Rivers and his staff, it was only natural that players would seek leadership from within. 

Although Kuzma might seem an unlikely source, he has a valuable breadth of experience. He won a title with the Lakers and served as a top option with the Wizards. Ridiculed for his dismal first impression in Milwaukee, he has adapted well to a new, supplementary role. Whatever Kuzma isn't, he is a pro. 

From a player's perspective, he addressed Rollins and Porter as a supportive mentor. Sure, players must be able to take criticism, but singling out the two guards after a collective collapse was unfair. That it backfired is hardly surprising. 

Bucks' appointed leaders communicated ineffectively all year

That Kuzma spoke in the supposed privacy of a players-only conference makes his punishment even more ludicrous. That is one way to intensify player distrust.

It's also silly to pile on Rollins and Porter as the problem. Yes, both have struggled with turnovers. Each shot poorly against the Bulls (9-for-27 combined). Harsh feedback can be necessary.

But by and large, they have done an admirable job running the show with Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined. Driving the Bucks' brief resurgence in February, on the season, they have combined to average 34.6 points, 13 assists, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.7 steals per game. With Giannis absent, Rollins and Porter are the offense, as well as a dynamic defensive duo.

While greater importance entails extra responsibility, it's unreasonable to blame them for the lack of shot creation around them. They have been thrust into oversized shoes.

Busy stoking his own trade drama, even Giannis has been an ineffectual communicator. Charania recalls that, earlier in the year, he also accused the Bucks of selfish decision-making. He may have been justified, but publicly venting his frustrations only added to the dysfunction. 

Few would have thought that Kuzma, much-maligned subject of frustration and trade rumors, would emerge as an exemplary mentor. It's been that type of season. Props to him for standing by his teammates in an antagonistic environment.