In the Milwaukee Bucks' recent matchup with the Boston Celtics, not only was Kyle Kuzma not in the starting five, but he didn't play in the contest entirely. He wasn't hurt. He wasn't sick. He just wasn't in the cards for Milwaukee that night, as confirmed by Doc Rivers. Kuzma has seemingly taken the benching to heart, as he's been playing some of his best basketball in a Bucks jersey since then.
Kuzma has been firing on all cylinders lately
In the last two games since his return to the lineup, Kuzma has averaged 17 points, 3.5 assists, and two rebounds per game. His efficiency has been off the charts, with the forward hitting 65 percent of his overall shots. Obviously, the uptick in scoring has commanded the headlines, as he's Milwaukee's second leading scorer in this stretch behind Giannis Antetokounmpo.
He's also provided strong defense. In this span, players are shooting 8-of-23 (34.8 percent) on their shots with Kuzma as the primary defender. Milwaukee's forward has the height and length to disrupt any opponent's rhythm, and he's done so incredibly well. His 3.5 fouls per game are an issue, but the defense has overall been a positive contribution.
This is the Kyle Kuzma the Milwaukee Bucks need
Rather than letting the benching destroy his confidence, as it might have for other players across the association, it has seemingly given Kuzma new life. He wasn't playing horribly before the move, but now, he looks more aggressive and determined to make an impact, especially now that he's back in Milwaukee's supersized starting lineup.
It must be noted that this is absolutely a small sample size. Kuzma has played well for stretches only to fall off a cliff soon after. It remains to be seen whether this version of Kuzma is here to stay or if he will fall back into his inconsistent habits. As they fight for a Play-In berth, the Milwaukee Bucks would love for the Kuzma that has shown up for the last two games to stick around.
For Kuzma to remain at his most impactful, the biggest focus for him will be his shooting efficiency. He's never been the most efficient player, especially with his perimeter shooting and converting at the hoop. If he can continue to do both of those things more consistently, his impact will only grow for the Milwaukee Bucks down the stretch.
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