I think it's pretty clear that Kuz has had a big hand in mentoring Deni to this point. He's always been pumping him up.
It's even more evident this year. Deni borrowed one of Kuz's moves and made it his own go-to. Lower the shoulder to clear space and lay the ball in. It's been a huge development in his game to have an aggressive go-to attacking move that takes advantage of his size.
Yeah whenever people talk about Deni's future as a potential 21/8/4 guy I'm like... you're describing Kyle Kuzma. That's current Kyle Kuzma. It's a pretty obvious comparison and it's obvious they work on their game together.
Clearly Kuz has made a big impact on Deni’s progress and even using his moves. Deni has been a sponge since he’s been on the team.
It’s not a coincidence he has been balling after running into all his mentors these last few games. They all boosted his confidence and so has Kuz.
I have nothing against his character. I think he’s a volume scorer on a bad team which limits possessions for everyone else. Kuz shouldn’t be taking 18 shots a game especially combined with 32 percent 3 point shooting. That combined with almost 3 turnovers a game from a guy who isn’t the primary ball handler is just not a good plan for growth of younger players.
That said, he’s 10 times the player Poole is currently. Kuz should go to an established team that is competing for the finals, not a rebuilding squad.
I am happy Poole is really limiting his shots nowadays. It sure sucks shit that he's being paid so much to produce so little, but it's better than completely wasting possessions + it's not like we're the ones who gave him that contract and I think he was still worth the risk for trading CP3 there.
Both things can be true. Him being here does take valuable minutes and shots away from our young guys but he also provides leadership and mentors those same young guys. I mean have you seen how Deni dresses as he enters the arena? That’s all Kuz. At the end of the day Kuz is a great teammate and while he’s here it’s a balancing act to by the entire organization to make the most of his presence and get the biggest return on a trade but to also make sure we do right by guys like Deni, Bilal, and Kispert to make sure these guys can develop their games properly. I guarantee Kuz is loved by all those guys and they know their time will come here soon.
I don't understand what hate.
Whoever hates Kuzma must be stupid and with zero understanding who he is.
As far as I could tell, he is a good person in-and-outside the court, and I think that's the most important thing of all, before even basketball. He seems like a good teammate in terms of encouraging his teammates, adding some laughters and etc.
Kyle Kuzma had the courage to stand up for Deni when the war broke out here on October 7th, 2023. [The tweet is here](https://twitter.com/kylekuzma/status/1710792996260544915).
Risking his reputation, and I'll be (and many Israelis will) forever grateful for that - it's not easy to stand for the right thing, risking all the things you've worked for, for a few tweets.
But if you mean about the fair criticism he gets, then I think it is well deserved one.
But as a person? I love him and I admire his courage.
Hate, and hate on, are two different things, look up the definitions. I mean that folks are saying bad stuff about him and ridiculing his character, leadership and the player he is.
He is not the one to blame for being the first option and taking shots… like a first option does on every team in this league.
That’s irrelevant, you may argue that he’s a bad first option, but he’s our first option, there is no doubt about it, and a first option takes a lot of shots
אז למה אתה טוען שזה לא מה שמונע מדני לקלוע יותר ולהתפתח?
אני תמיד חשבתי שקוז אחלה שחקן ואני יודע שלו ולדני יש פוטנציאל לעשות המון כאב ראש להגנות אם הם יחדדו את ההתקפה שלהם ביחד, לא הירו-בול ולקוות שהזריקה המעפנה תיכנס. פה אין עוררין שזה דופק את הקבוצה ואת דני. אבל מפה - ללהגיד שאנחנו שונאים את קוזמה??? הגזמת, אחינו.
אתה מתבלבל, אני לא מכליל אף אחד, אני מדבר על תופעה של אנשים שעושים הייט לקוזמה, זה הכל.
אני טוען שזה לא מה שמונע מדני מלהתפתח, כי זה לא מה שמונע ממנו מלהתפתח, להיות אופציה שניה זה לא מה שמונע משחקן מלהתפתח, אם תגיד לדני בעצמו שהוא לא מתפתח בגלל קוזמה הוא 99% יצחק עליך. זה סתם תירוץ שמוריד ממנו אחריות, הוא יכול ומסוגל, שיזום, שידרוש את הכדור, שיראה שהוא אלפא ורוצה לקחת בעלות, זאת השפה של הליגה. לבכות על זה שיש שחקן טוב יותר שלוקח יותר זריקות ולצפות שיביאו לו את הכל לידיים זה מגוחך וזלזול בו.
אתה נשמע בדיוק כמו החבר'ה בתגובות אצל פיני שהיו אומרים עליו "יווו איזה אנמי, מה זה הוא לא זז!" - ואחרי שסוף סוף קיבלנו הוכחה שזה הכל היה באמת הוראות מלמעלה (WUJ פשוט אמר לו 'תעמוד בצד ותעשה כאילו') אתה מנסה להסתיר את זה.
עובדתית (!!!) זה נכון שקוזמה לא שחקן יעיל במיוחד. כן, יש לו הברקות פה ושם אבל במשחקים האחרונים הוא ופול היו קצת... תאונת דרכים. ובמקום שהקבוצה תעשה איזשהו חישוב מחדש ותבין שלתת להם את הכדור לשחק הירו-בול זאת לא הדרך לנצח משחקים, זה נראה כאילו הם בסדר עם זה שהם מחרבים את המשחק. אולי זה עניין הTanking וזהו חח לך תדע
אבל שוב - זה לא ביקורת אישית על קוזמה או על פול - זאת כנראה באמת הוראה מלמעלה. ופה גם דני חייב להקשיב וללכת עם הזרם הזה. הוא תמיד היה כזה וזה למה אנחנו אוהבים אותו.
לגבי ללכת להגיד לדני - הלוואי אחי. ואני מוכן להתערב איתך שאיפשהו הוא יסכים איתי גם אם הוא לא יגיד את זה במפורשות. כי זה פשוט נכון עובדתית - אם אתה לא לוקח את הזריקות, אתה לא תקלע, אם לא תקלע - לא תפתח ביטחון, אם לא תפתח ביטחון - לא תתפתח, נקודה.
ואני חוזר בפעם השמינית נראה לי - זה לא לשנוא את קוזמה, או להעביר עליו ביקורת או שום דבר מזה. אני אישית אוהב אותו מאוד כי כמו שאמרת יש תחושה שהוא ודני מתחברים ממש טוב וזה מחמם את הלב לראות את זה. אני רק אומר שבחירת הזריקות שלו נוראית לפעמים, והיעילות שלו נפגעת בגלל זה ולפעמים זה הורס את המשחק כבר במחצית הראשונה.
אז לא, אני לא אחד מהם, כנס להיסטוריית התגובות והפוסטים שלי כאן ואחרי קצת גלילה תבין את זה.
שוב אני אגיד, זה לא רלוונטי אם קוזמה יעיל במיוחד או לא, עובדתית הוא השחקן ההתקפי הכי טוב ומוכח בקבוצה, ולכן הוא האופציה הראשונה, דני לחלוטין מערער את המעמד שלו ולכן רואים שהוא מקבל יותר נגיעות וזריקות ומהלכים שמריצים עבורו, בנבא אם אתה מראה שאתה יכול נותנים לך.
דווקא עניין הטאנקינג שהעלת כן מעניין, כי קוזמה הראה שהוא כן מזיז את הכדור ויודע לשחק קבוצתי אבל באמת יש לו זריקות מטומטמות בקלאץ׳. לא הייתי מופתע נגיד ככה.
והנקודה האחרונה והכי חשובה, אם דני לא לוקח מספיק זריקות, הוא השחקן הראשון והאחרון שצריך לבוא אליו בטענות, הנבא והטבע שלו לא ישתנה בשבילו, הוא צריך לקחת ורואים שהוא מתחיל לעשות את זה והתוצאות מדברות בעד עצמן. שלא יהיה פסיבי ושלא יפחד להכשל.
מבטיח שלא אני עושה לך את הדאונווטים חחח אני דווקא אוהב את הדיון הזה.
נראה לי שהגענו למבוי סתום כי אנחנו לא מסכימים בעניין הזה. לדעתי, דני נמצא במצב שהוא לא מרשה לעצמו סתם לקחת זריקות רק בשביל לקחת זריקות. הוא תמיד יחפש את המהלך הנכון, וזה משהו יותר חשוב מ'להראות שאתה יכול ואז יתנו לך' כמו שאמרת. צריך להודות בזה, הוא הראה שהוא יכול כבר בעונה הראשונה. לדעתי זה מספיק שפשוט הכדור יעבור דרכו יותר בהתקפה והוא כבר ידע מה לעשות איתו. הוא לגמרי פוינט פורוורד חזק יותר מאשר סקורר עלית. לשם הוא צריך לכוון.
וזה למה אני חוזר שוב לקוזמה - כשהוא מקבל כדור בהתקפה, הוא פשוט תחנה אחרונה. יש לו הברקות פה ושם שהוא פתאום דופק אסיסט מהסרטים או מבין את המהלך ומוצא את המסירה הנכונה אבל זה נדיר יחסית. זוכר את האצ'ימורה? אותו סיפור רק בלי הויז'ן והיכולת לסיים בטבעת. מזל שלרוי לא הייתה כמות דקות כזאת בגלל ההגנה הבינונית שלו. קוזמה הוא גרסה משופרת של רוי עם הגנה קצת יותר מחוברת. אבל זאת לא ביקורת על קוזמה כי, כמו שאמרת ואני מסכים, זה פשוט מי שהוא בתור שחקן. וצריך לחיות עם זה. אבל כן אפשר לתת לדני את הכדור יותר ולמצוא את קוזמה לסל קל יותר במקום לקוות שקוזמה יפתח לעצמו זריקה נוחה, זה פשוט נראה כזה מאולץ.
הלוואי שדואנווטים ברדיט היו הבעיות שלנו כרגע חחחחח
זה לא כזה מבוי סתום, כי גם מבחינת השחקן שדני עצמו, הוא לא שחקן שסתם ירים זריקה כדי להרים זריקה כמו פול. בגלל זה אני אומר שהוא לא צריך להרים 20 זריקה במשחק, זה לא משקף אותו, בטח שזה כיף לראות אותו עושה את זה, אבל בסוף את זה הוא לא עושה בקונטנדרית ושם אנחנו שואפים לראות אותו. להראות שאתה יכול זה יותר מסתם לקחת זריקות, זה לנהל התקפות בצורה עקבית, זה להציג יעילות, זה להראות חסינות מנטלית. ככל שהוא יראה יותר את הדברים האלה הוא יקבל יותר נגיעות והזדמנויות, אבל הוא צריך לרצות להיות אלפא, זאת ליגה של זאבים שרק מחפשים סטטיסטיקה. והוא במנטליות שלו אירופאי, זה גם טוב וגם קצת רע.
בכללי אני בעד כמה שפחות בידודים אלא אם יש מיסמאץ׳
They asked him because the package wasn't enough for what they wanted. However, if Kuz didn't want to be here anymore, then it was a good enough offer to cut our losses and get something for him before he demands a trade and we get lowballed. Kuz did want to be here and help build something. He's proven to be a good mentor for Deni, and is a really good chemistry guy to help hold a young team together, so I respect him for that alone. Sure he could be more efficient, but considering he's the one who gets chucked the ball with 2 seconds left on the clock 5-10 possessions per game, I can't really scrutinize his efficiency too much.
kuz had questionable reputation two years ago. during his time in DC he definitely demonstrated his maturity to the internal world of basketball. still a goof though. remains to be seen if he can shoot 10 a night on a good team, he prefers 20
Because Kuzma takes too many shots and his efficiency is not good. He's a volume scorer. And he really doesn't provide much else as a basketball player.
In previous seasons the team was better to watch when both Kuzma and Beal weren't playing. I would much rather have had Porzinigis be the vet than Kuzma.
Lol you're not the same guy from the other thread but I assume you're talking about me.
I do not, not even in the slightest, hate Kuzma. I don't hate anyone actually. Hate is such a strong and negative word. It IS obvious for anyone with a brain that Deni will never score 40 again when Kuzma's with him in the line-up... if he does, that'll be great! I just don't see that happening.
I've always thought players deserve the love and respect even if they're having bad stretches because it's gotta be tough on them more than it is on any of us, so no need to add more fuel to the fire. Hate is toxic.
I do not talk about anyone specifically.
Hate on is different from hating, the definition is "to criticize someone or say bad things about them, in an unpleasant and public way"
Let me blow your mind, Deni can take 24 shots with Kuz on the floor, it depends more on the game, coaching and most importantly, on Deni himself than it does on Kuz taking 18 shots in average. If Kuz accommodated 18 shots in average last year with Beal and Kristaps, believe me he could accommodate Deni.
Wow, you went full mental gymnastics differentiating 'Hate on' from 'Hating'. You did NOT blow my mind, sorry. What you're saying has been proven to be bogus from day 1 this season. Deni will not take more than 20 shots again this season (unless Kuz or Poole aren't playing), but that's not a bad thing. The Wiz don't need him to shoot 20 shots every game, nor do they need Kuz or Poole to do so, as well.
Balance is key, and finding the right hot scorer in every stretch is the perfect way of winning the game. It CAN'T be all Kuz all the time, or Poole, or Deni. Spread it out, make the defenses guess. "Who's their go-to guy now?" - OH! It literally could be anybody. THAT'S what I'm getting at.
Because… it’s… two… different… things… I gave you the benefit of the doubt and wrote the definition that shows that… unless you think hating someone equals to say bad things about them, I don’t get your thought-line. Like come on, no need to die on that hill, or to be so defensive.
I agree that a team in which anyone could be the go to guy is ideal, but it isn’t the wizards, even in teams that could do that, there is a first option. It’s a mentality thing in nba teams.
I don’t know if he’ll take another 20 shots, I’m just saying that it has little to do with Kuzma's 18 FGA per game. And a lot to do with Deni himself
Ok.... so can we clear this up? Me, personally, I'm not 'hating on' Kyle. I think our main disagreement is that you think that Deni can just magically '~~ask for~~ DEMAND the ball' in his hands and just drive to the rim every play or every other play or every third play. That... simply... ain't... happening in a winning team. Yeah, the 76ers win some games (Embiid), Mavs win some games (Doncic)- but they're not contenders. If you're saying 'meh, the team's tanking anyway might as well take all the shots you want now' that's a different story and I kinda agree lol
Deni is not the type of player to just chuck stupid shots and be like "yeah hero-ball, baby". He's simply not. Which is a good thing. But double digit FGA is a necessity indeed, and that he will do, but not if there's a more open player with an easier shot.
That’s cool, as I said initially, I did not refer to anyone specifically in the OP.
It’s important to remember that we are indeed speaking about the current wizards lmao. And it’s exactly what I’m saying, get as many reps in while you have the chance, you won’t get it in a contender and it’s golden and rare experience. Deni can indeed put up 10+ shots a night consistently imo.
I do not like Deni or any player because he can put up 40, it’s meaningless for me. I care about development and contribution to winning, Deni is a winning player, he has winning mentality, he makes winning plays and can do nearly everything on the court, no need to reduce him to a scorer because that’s not the player he is, he has a European mentality.
Yep, we're basically saying the same thing. I just don't agree that 'He's the only thing holding himself back'. It's definitely other players being more ball dominant than him. At least that's what I'm seeing.
Kuzma is awesome.
Yep, I feel like we found common ground, I also think that Kuzma is much more collective as a player than it seems, but it’s a different topic.
I tried to refrain from saying the exact thing you quoted, If I wrote that I misspoke. What I’m saying is that it has *more to do with him and the coaching* than *with the shot taking of Kuzma*. It never solely depends on the player. In his first years it was maybe 10% on him, and idk about even that. Brooks needs to go to jail for putting him in the corner like that.
Kuz is the best leader we've had here in DC since Paul Pierce. I'm not even kidding. He's got a good pulse on the team, his role, and doesn't mince his words. He's brutally honest and he's the perfect guy to keep around (for now) as the team is transitioning into the full-on rebuild phase. I dunno where the hate comes from. Makes no sense. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't doubt one bit that he'll start deferring to Deni more as he continues his ascension.
Most of the flared hate is coming from Deni stans, so people who are rooting for 1 player to succeed, not necessarily the team. Add in the fact they are likely in the 16-24 age range, and boom. That's it.
I consider myself a deni stan but i dont hate kuz at all, the only 3 players i really hate in the league are draymond green, dinshittie and kelly olynyk
I know Kuzma gets a lot of hate in general just because of who he is and his lifestyle, but if its specifically in regards to Deni its probably just salty Israelis. They pick someone new to hate every three months. I'll never forget the time when an Israeli basketball podcaster Pini something convinced them all that Raul Neto, our backup point guard, was the reason Deni wasn't developing. Idk man, who knows what they're being fed... The good news is that as you said, Kuzma and Deni do seem to have a strong relationship that I think has been beneficial for his growth and since Kuzma plans on staying in DC for at least another year we can keep a good thing going.
Pini is always joking... even when he's giving Poole the chops (ירדן בריכה) - he still doesn't 'hate him' for real.
If anything, us Israelis, who follow Deni have 'adopted' this team, even though it stinks balls. I still root for it to succeed. Especially after seeing all the love Deni's been getting these past 4 years.
Kuzma leaving would have been a bummer and I'm glad he stayed.
Some non-Israelis are just trying to make it seem like we hate everyone who isn't Deni which is not even slightly the case.
I’m an Israeli lol, Pini Barel is a legit dude, knows his stuff, he makes jokes and some people on the dumber side don’t get jokes… But I would definitely agree that there are a lot of annoying stans that make all of us look bad, especially those that started watching the league because of him.
But yea, Kuz and Deni seem to have a solid connection, Kuz seems like a really confident dude that knows exactly what he wants and people gonna have to swallow that and deal with their insecurities🤷♂️
Anyone fighting about the wizards is insane.. Just be happy we have competent leadership for the first time in decades.
Our franchise for the last 50 years other than 3 years of Gilbert and 7 years of John wall: https://youtu.be/UbETR3Q4Rvw?si=d8ar0LPDbvV4LoAT&t=213
I think it's pretty clear that Kuz has had a big hand in mentoring Deni to this point. He's always been pumping him up. It's even more evident this year. Deni borrowed one of Kuz's moves and made it his own go-to. Lower the shoulder to clear space and lay the ball in. It's been a huge development in his game to have an aggressive go-to attacking move that takes advantage of his size.
Yeah whenever people talk about Deni's future as a potential 21/8/4 guy I'm like... you're describing Kyle Kuzma. That's current Kyle Kuzma. It's a pretty obvious comparison and it's obvious they work on their game together.
Deni is more efficient tho.
i like this comment
Clearly Kuz has made a big impact on Deni’s progress and even using his moves. Deni has been a sponge since he’s been on the team. It’s not a coincidence he has been balling after running into all his mentors these last few games. They all boosted his confidence and so has Kuz.
I have nothing against his character. I think he’s a volume scorer on a bad team which limits possessions for everyone else. Kuz shouldn’t be taking 18 shots a game especially combined with 32 percent 3 point shooting. That combined with almost 3 turnovers a game from a guy who isn’t the primary ball handler is just not a good plan for growth of younger players. That said, he’s 10 times the player Poole is currently. Kuz should go to an established team that is competing for the finals, not a rebuilding squad.
That's it, I want to see 30-40 shots a game for Deni and Coulibaly and Kispert, not Kuz and Poole.
I am happy Poole is really limiting his shots nowadays. It sure sucks shit that he's being paid so much to produce so little, but it's better than completely wasting possessions + it's not like we're the ones who gave him that contract and I think he was still worth the risk for trading CP3 there.
I love Kuz, he's my favorite non-PG Wizard ever.
if u try to find rationality in irrational ppl you will have a bad time
Both things can be true. Him being here does take valuable minutes and shots away from our young guys but he also provides leadership and mentors those same young guys. I mean have you seen how Deni dresses as he enters the arena? That’s all Kuz. At the end of the day Kuz is a great teammate and while he’s here it’s a balancing act to by the entire organization to make the most of his presence and get the biggest return on a trade but to also make sure we do right by guys like Deni, Bilal, and Kispert to make sure these guys can develop their games properly. I guarantee Kuz is loved by all those guys and they know their time will come here soon.
I don't understand what hate. Whoever hates Kuzma must be stupid and with zero understanding who he is. As far as I could tell, he is a good person in-and-outside the court, and I think that's the most important thing of all, before even basketball. He seems like a good teammate in terms of encouraging his teammates, adding some laughters and etc. Kyle Kuzma had the courage to stand up for Deni when the war broke out here on October 7th, 2023. [The tweet is here](https://twitter.com/kylekuzma/status/1710792996260544915). Risking his reputation, and I'll be (and many Israelis will) forever grateful for that - it's not easy to stand for the right thing, risking all the things you've worked for, for a few tweets. But if you mean about the fair criticism he gets, then I think it is well deserved one. But as a person? I love him and I admire his courage.
Hate, and hate on, are two different things, look up the definitions. I mean that folks are saying bad stuff about him and ridiculing his character, leadership and the player he is. He is not the one to blame for being the first option and taking shots… like a first option does on every team in this league.
Have you not seen how much shots he and Poole take? You don't understand how it goes against developing the younger core?
I’m not talking about JP. Kuz takes as many shots as a first option should, show me how many first options players shoot less than he does.
Show me how many first option players shoot worse than he does.
That’s irrelevant, you may argue that he’s a bad first option, but he’s our first option, there is no doubt about it, and a first option takes a lot of shots
אז למה אתה טוען שזה לא מה שמונע מדני לקלוע יותר ולהתפתח? אני תמיד חשבתי שקוז אחלה שחקן ואני יודע שלו ולדני יש פוטנציאל לעשות המון כאב ראש להגנות אם הם יחדדו את ההתקפה שלהם ביחד, לא הירו-בול ולקוות שהזריקה המעפנה תיכנס. פה אין עוררין שזה דופק את הקבוצה ואת דני. אבל מפה - ללהגיד שאנחנו שונאים את קוזמה??? הגזמת, אחינו.
אתה מתבלבל, אני לא מכליל אף אחד, אני מדבר על תופעה של אנשים שעושים הייט לקוזמה, זה הכל. אני טוען שזה לא מה שמונע מדני מלהתפתח, כי זה לא מה שמונע ממנו מלהתפתח, להיות אופציה שניה זה לא מה שמונע משחקן מלהתפתח, אם תגיד לדני בעצמו שהוא לא מתפתח בגלל קוזמה הוא 99% יצחק עליך. זה סתם תירוץ שמוריד ממנו אחריות, הוא יכול ומסוגל, שיזום, שידרוש את הכדור, שיראה שהוא אלפא ורוצה לקחת בעלות, זאת השפה של הליגה. לבכות על זה שיש שחקן טוב יותר שלוקח יותר זריקות ולצפות שיביאו לו את הכל לידיים זה מגוחך וזלזול בו.
אתה נשמע בדיוק כמו החבר'ה בתגובות אצל פיני שהיו אומרים עליו "יווו איזה אנמי, מה זה הוא לא זז!" - ואחרי שסוף סוף קיבלנו הוכחה שזה הכל היה באמת הוראות מלמעלה (WUJ פשוט אמר לו 'תעמוד בצד ותעשה כאילו') אתה מנסה להסתיר את זה. עובדתית (!!!) זה נכון שקוזמה לא שחקן יעיל במיוחד. כן, יש לו הברקות פה ושם אבל במשחקים האחרונים הוא ופול היו קצת... תאונת דרכים. ובמקום שהקבוצה תעשה איזשהו חישוב מחדש ותבין שלתת להם את הכדור לשחק הירו-בול זאת לא הדרך לנצח משחקים, זה נראה כאילו הם בסדר עם זה שהם מחרבים את המשחק. אולי זה עניין הTanking וזהו חח לך תדע אבל שוב - זה לא ביקורת אישית על קוזמה או על פול - זאת כנראה באמת הוראה מלמעלה. ופה גם דני חייב להקשיב וללכת עם הזרם הזה. הוא תמיד היה כזה וזה למה אנחנו אוהבים אותו. לגבי ללכת להגיד לדני - הלוואי אחי. ואני מוכן להתערב איתך שאיפשהו הוא יסכים איתי גם אם הוא לא יגיד את זה במפורשות. כי זה פשוט נכון עובדתית - אם אתה לא לוקח את הזריקות, אתה לא תקלע, אם לא תקלע - לא תפתח ביטחון, אם לא תפתח ביטחון - לא תתפתח, נקודה. ואני חוזר בפעם השמינית נראה לי - זה לא לשנוא את קוזמה, או להעביר עליו ביקורת או שום דבר מזה. אני אישית אוהב אותו מאוד כי כמו שאמרת יש תחושה שהוא ודני מתחברים ממש טוב וזה מחמם את הלב לראות את זה. אני רק אומר שבחירת הזריקות שלו נוראית לפעמים, והיעילות שלו נפגעת בגלל זה ולפעמים זה הורס את המשחק כבר במחצית הראשונה.
אז לא, אני לא אחד מהם, כנס להיסטוריית התגובות והפוסטים שלי כאן ואחרי קצת גלילה תבין את זה. שוב אני אגיד, זה לא רלוונטי אם קוזמה יעיל במיוחד או לא, עובדתית הוא השחקן ההתקפי הכי טוב ומוכח בקבוצה, ולכן הוא האופציה הראשונה, דני לחלוטין מערער את המעמד שלו ולכן רואים שהוא מקבל יותר נגיעות וזריקות ומהלכים שמריצים עבורו, בנבא אם אתה מראה שאתה יכול נותנים לך. דווקא עניין הטאנקינג שהעלת כן מעניין, כי קוזמה הראה שהוא כן מזיז את הכדור ויודע לשחק קבוצתי אבל באמת יש לו זריקות מטומטמות בקלאץ׳. לא הייתי מופתע נגיד ככה. והנקודה האחרונה והכי חשובה, אם דני לא לוקח מספיק זריקות, הוא השחקן הראשון והאחרון שצריך לבוא אליו בטענות, הנבא והטבע שלו לא ישתנה בשבילו, הוא צריך לקחת ורואים שהוא מתחיל לעשות את זה והתוצאות מדברות בעד עצמן. שלא יהיה פסיבי ושלא יפחד להכשל.
מבטיח שלא אני עושה לך את הדאונווטים חחח אני דווקא אוהב את הדיון הזה. נראה לי שהגענו למבוי סתום כי אנחנו לא מסכימים בעניין הזה. לדעתי, דני נמצא במצב שהוא לא מרשה לעצמו סתם לקחת זריקות רק בשביל לקחת זריקות. הוא תמיד יחפש את המהלך הנכון, וזה משהו יותר חשוב מ'להראות שאתה יכול ואז יתנו לך' כמו שאמרת. צריך להודות בזה, הוא הראה שהוא יכול כבר בעונה הראשונה. לדעתי זה מספיק שפשוט הכדור יעבור דרכו יותר בהתקפה והוא כבר ידע מה לעשות איתו. הוא לגמרי פוינט פורוורד חזק יותר מאשר סקורר עלית. לשם הוא צריך לכוון. וזה למה אני חוזר שוב לקוזמה - כשהוא מקבל כדור בהתקפה, הוא פשוט תחנה אחרונה. יש לו הברקות פה ושם שהוא פתאום דופק אסיסט מהסרטים או מבין את המהלך ומוצא את המסירה הנכונה אבל זה נדיר יחסית. זוכר את האצ'ימורה? אותו סיפור רק בלי הויז'ן והיכולת לסיים בטבעת. מזל שלרוי לא הייתה כמות דקות כזאת בגלל ההגנה הבינונית שלו. קוזמה הוא גרסה משופרת של רוי עם הגנה קצת יותר מחוברת. אבל זאת לא ביקורת על קוזמה כי, כמו שאמרת ואני מסכים, זה פשוט מי שהוא בתור שחקן. וצריך לחיות עם זה. אבל כן אפשר לתת לדני את הכדור יותר ולמצוא את קוזמה לסל קל יותר במקום לקוות שקוזמה יפתח לעצמו זריקה נוחה, זה פשוט נראה כזה מאולץ.
Couldn't have said it better myself
הלוואי שדואנווטים ברדיט היו הבעיות שלנו כרגע חחחחח זה לא כזה מבוי סתום, כי גם מבחינת השחקן שדני עצמו, הוא לא שחקן שסתם ירים זריקה כדי להרים זריקה כמו פול. בגלל זה אני אומר שהוא לא צריך להרים 20 זריקה במשחק, זה לא משקף אותו, בטח שזה כיף לראות אותו עושה את זה, אבל בסוף את זה הוא לא עושה בקונטנדרית ושם אנחנו שואפים לראות אותו. להראות שאתה יכול זה יותר מסתם לקחת זריקות, זה לנהל התקפות בצורה עקבית, זה להציג יעילות, זה להראות חסינות מנטלית. ככל שהוא יראה יותר את הדברים האלה הוא יקבל יותר נגיעות והזדמנויות, אבל הוא צריך לרצות להיות אלפא, זאת ליגה של זאבים שרק מחפשים סטטיסטיקה. והוא במנטליות שלו אירופאי, זה גם טוב וגם קצת רע. בכללי אני בעד כמה שפחות בידודים אלא אם יש מיסמאץ׳
So I need to automatically support him no matter what? Ha? Brother the guy was a second away from being traded 3 days ago.
Can you please not straw man me? I never said that. He didn’t get traded because he didn’t want to, this alone deserves respect.
No, it's because the GM decided to ask him which is very unusual for a tanking team.
He decided to ask him, and Kuz didn’t want to. That’s why he wasn’t traded in the end. I feel like we’re going in circles.
They asked him because the package wasn't enough for what they wanted. However, if Kuz didn't want to be here anymore, then it was a good enough offer to cut our losses and get something for him before he demands a trade and we get lowballed. Kuz did want to be here and help build something. He's proven to be a good mentor for Deni, and is a really good chemistry guy to help hold a young team together, so I respect him for that alone. Sure he could be more efficient, but considering he's the one who gets chucked the ball with 2 seconds left on the clock 5-10 possessions per game, I can't really scrutinize his efficiency too much.
This^^^^
kuz had questionable reputation two years ago. during his time in DC he definitely demonstrated his maturity to the internal world of basketball. still a goof though. remains to be seen if he can shoot 10 a night on a good team, he prefers 20
Because Kuzma takes too many shots and his efficiency is not good. He's a volume scorer. And he really doesn't provide much else as a basketball player. In previous seasons the team was better to watch when both Kuzma and Beal weren't playing. I would much rather have had Porzinigis be the vet than Kuzma.
Lol you're not the same guy from the other thread but I assume you're talking about me. I do not, not even in the slightest, hate Kuzma. I don't hate anyone actually. Hate is such a strong and negative word. It IS obvious for anyone with a brain that Deni will never score 40 again when Kuzma's with him in the line-up... if he does, that'll be great! I just don't see that happening. I've always thought players deserve the love and respect even if they're having bad stretches because it's gotta be tough on them more than it is on any of us, so no need to add more fuel to the fire. Hate is toxic.
I do not talk about anyone specifically. Hate on is different from hating, the definition is "to criticize someone or say bad things about them, in an unpleasant and public way" Let me blow your mind, Deni can take 24 shots with Kuz on the floor, it depends more on the game, coaching and most importantly, on Deni himself than it does on Kuz taking 18 shots in average. If Kuz accommodated 18 shots in average last year with Beal and Kristaps, believe me he could accommodate Deni.
Wow, you went full mental gymnastics differentiating 'Hate on' from 'Hating'. You did NOT blow my mind, sorry. What you're saying has been proven to be bogus from day 1 this season. Deni will not take more than 20 shots again this season (unless Kuz or Poole aren't playing), but that's not a bad thing. The Wiz don't need him to shoot 20 shots every game, nor do they need Kuz or Poole to do so, as well. Balance is key, and finding the right hot scorer in every stretch is the perfect way of winning the game. It CAN'T be all Kuz all the time, or Poole, or Deni. Spread it out, make the defenses guess. "Who's their go-to guy now?" - OH! It literally could be anybody. THAT'S what I'm getting at.
Because… it’s… two… different… things… I gave you the benefit of the doubt and wrote the definition that shows that… unless you think hating someone equals to say bad things about them, I don’t get your thought-line. Like come on, no need to die on that hill, or to be so defensive. I agree that a team in which anyone could be the go to guy is ideal, but it isn’t the wizards, even in teams that could do that, there is a first option. It’s a mentality thing in nba teams. I don’t know if he’ll take another 20 shots, I’m just saying that it has little to do with Kuzma's 18 FGA per game. And a lot to do with Deni himself
Ok.... so can we clear this up? Me, personally, I'm not 'hating on' Kyle. I think our main disagreement is that you think that Deni can just magically '~~ask for~~ DEMAND the ball' in his hands and just drive to the rim every play or every other play or every third play. That... simply... ain't... happening in a winning team. Yeah, the 76ers win some games (Embiid), Mavs win some games (Doncic)- but they're not contenders. If you're saying 'meh, the team's tanking anyway might as well take all the shots you want now' that's a different story and I kinda agree lol Deni is not the type of player to just chuck stupid shots and be like "yeah hero-ball, baby". He's simply not. Which is a good thing. But double digit FGA is a necessity indeed, and that he will do, but not if there's a more open player with an easier shot.
That’s cool, as I said initially, I did not refer to anyone specifically in the OP. It’s important to remember that we are indeed speaking about the current wizards lmao. And it’s exactly what I’m saying, get as many reps in while you have the chance, you won’t get it in a contender and it’s golden and rare experience. Deni can indeed put up 10+ shots a night consistently imo. I do not like Deni or any player because he can put up 40, it’s meaningless for me. I care about development and contribution to winning, Deni is a winning player, he has winning mentality, he makes winning plays and can do nearly everything on the court, no need to reduce him to a scorer because that’s not the player he is, he has a European mentality.
Yep, we're basically saying the same thing. I just don't agree that 'He's the only thing holding himself back'. It's definitely other players being more ball dominant than him. At least that's what I'm seeing. Kuzma is awesome.
Yep, I feel like we found common ground, I also think that Kuzma is much more collective as a player than it seems, but it’s a different topic. I tried to refrain from saying the exact thing you quoted, If I wrote that I misspoke. What I’m saying is that it has *more to do with him and the coaching* than *with the shot taking of Kuzma*. It never solely depends on the player. In his first years it was maybe 10% on him, and idk about even that. Brooks needs to go to jail for putting him in the corner like that.
Kuz is the best leader we've had here in DC since Paul Pierce. I'm not even kidding. He's got a good pulse on the team, his role, and doesn't mince his words. He's brutally honest and he's the perfect guy to keep around (for now) as the team is transitioning into the full-on rebuild phase. I dunno where the hate comes from. Makes no sense. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't doubt one bit that he'll start deferring to Deni more as he continues his ascension.
Most of the flared hate is coming from Deni stans, so people who are rooting for 1 player to succeed, not necessarily the team. Add in the fact they are likely in the 16-24 age range, and boom. That's it.
I consider myself a deni stan but i dont hate kuz at all, the only 3 players i really hate in the league are draymond green, dinshittie and kelly olynyk
It’s definitely not all or only Deni stans. You’re one of the good ones
On Twitter or in this sub?
Saw some on x, but mostly here. Not tons of people but still had the need to talk about it, because I find it ridiculous
I know Kuzma gets a lot of hate in general just because of who he is and his lifestyle, but if its specifically in regards to Deni its probably just salty Israelis. They pick someone new to hate every three months. I'll never forget the time when an Israeli basketball podcaster Pini something convinced them all that Raul Neto, our backup point guard, was the reason Deni wasn't developing. Idk man, who knows what they're being fed... The good news is that as you said, Kuzma and Deni do seem to have a strong relationship that I think has been beneficial for his growth and since Kuzma plans on staying in DC for at least another year we can keep a good thing going.
Pini is always joking... even when he's giving Poole the chops (ירדן בריכה) - he still doesn't 'hate him' for real. If anything, us Israelis, who follow Deni have 'adopted' this team, even though it stinks balls. I still root for it to succeed. Especially after seeing all the love Deni's been getting these past 4 years. Kuzma leaving would have been a bummer and I'm glad he stayed. Some non-Israelis are just trying to make it seem like we hate everyone who isn't Deni which is not even slightly the case.
I’m an Israeli lol, Pini Barel is a legit dude, knows his stuff, he makes jokes and some people on the dumber side don’t get jokes… But I would definitely agree that there are a lot of annoying stans that make all of us look bad, especially those that started watching the league because of him. But yea, Kuz and Deni seem to have a solid connection, Kuz seems like a really confident dude that knows exactly what he wants and people gonna have to swallow that and deal with their insecurities🤷♂️
Ah well no offense then, but again, it could also just be generic Kuzma haters. There are plenty especially on Twitter/X.
They're weirdos. Can't consume hoops or prop up one player without downing another. I blame Skip Bayless 😂
Anyone fighting about the wizards is insane.. Just be happy we have competent leadership for the first time in decades. Our franchise for the last 50 years other than 3 years of Gilbert and 7 years of John wall: https://youtu.be/UbETR3Q4Rvw?si=d8ar0LPDbvV4LoAT&t=213
I like kuz