Kyle Kuzma: Unlike last year, Wizards players ‘like each other’

Kyle Kuzma isn’t the one to mince words. 

When asked after Friday’s 102-100 win over the visiting Chicago Bulls about what’s behind the good start, he credited the team’s chemistry. But he did it in a way that put some truth to reports from last year that there was some discontent in the locker room. 

“I think this is the year we have a pretty solid team, partly just because we like each other. Last year, couldn’t say that at the start,” said Kuzma, who scored 26 points in the win that improved the Wizards to 2-0 this season.

Washington started 10-3 last season, but their on-court performance began to sharply decline. Reports then surfaced about discontent in the locker room surrounding then-point guard Spencer Dinwiddie, who was later traded to the Dallas Mavericks in a deal that brought Kristaps Porzingis to the District. 

“Obviously, we started 10-3, but I couldn’t say that [we liked each other],” Kuzma added. “This year, when you play for each other, you’re going to give yourself a chance every single night and we demand that of each other. It’s just really fun playing with this ball club.”

Of course, it’s early. Both wins weren’t the prettiest, with the first coming over Indiana, projected to be one of the worst teams in the NBA, and Chicago, which was without two starters. But Kuzma said it’s how the Wizards are playing, more than just the fact that they’re winning games, that’s impressed him. 

“We’re all just playing the right way. We have a veteran team, we have a team that we all like each other,” Kuzma said. “That’s the biggest thing, you can tell we like each other. Everybody is moving the ball, playing for each other. We hold each other accountable. We may scream at each other, but it’s not a barking match and it’s all coming from a right place of love and understanding we all have the same agenda, trying to win.”

Kyle Kuzma contrasts last year’s team with this year’s 🤔

“I think this is the year we have a pretty solid team, partly just because we like each other. Last year, couldn’t say that.” pic.twitter.com/dPvBqeWHZB

— Hoop District (@Hoop_District) October 22, 2022

Superstar Bradley Beal somewhat walked back Kuzma’s comments during his press conference after the win, saying “we liked each other last year too.” But Beal did admit that what may be different this season — again, it’s early — is that the team is buying into what second-year coach Wes Unseld Jr. wants. 

“We have guys who all buy into what Wes wants. It’s not a lot of jawing back, not a lot of pushback on what we want,” said Beal, who made the game-winning bucket in the final minute. “It’s getting what he wants done first and if we need to make adjustments, make adjustments later. We’re not questioning his methods.”