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Former LA Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma clapped back at Patrick Beverley for his recent comments on the LA Clippers' chances of winning the title. While Beverley highlighted his team's potential to win the chip, Kuz reminded Bev of why they didn't win.
Kyle Kuzma remains a favorite among the Purple and Gold faithful. After emerging as a star in his rookie season, Kuzma became the epitome of a team player as he adapted his game to fit the new system.
This adjustment paid off in the long run as Kuzma and the Lakers won the NBA title in 2020. Although the championship itself has garnered a lot of criticism as the latter part of it was played in the NBA bubble, there is little that can be done to deny the Lakers the win.
While Kyle Kuzma celebrated winning the ring, Patrick Beverley and the LA Clippers saw an end to yet another playoff run. Needless to say, Beverley wasn't satisfied with the result.
Given the Clippers' roster at the time, it was fair to assume that they had a shot at winning it all. Beverley certainly believed that was the case. In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated's Joey Linn, he highlighted this aspect when he said:
"We were fortunate to get Kawhi. We think we would've won a championship if it wasn't for the bubble."
Beverley's statement may have had some validity to it. However, the comment itself wasn't well-received by Kuzma, who decided to clap back on Twitter. The former Lakers forward responded by saying:
"Yeah cause they didn't want to be there lol."
Kuzma's comments shed light on the plight of the Clippers, who were struggling to adapt to the conditions inside the bubble. Given the mental toll it exacted on several players, the team faced a significant lack of motivation from within their roster.
The nature of what-ifs leaves a lot to be pondered. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation remains that Pat Bev simply missed out on his chance of winning a title with the Clippers.
The LA Clippers came closer the next season
In the 2019-20 season, the LA Clippers were knocked out of the bubble in the Western Conference semifinals. While this was heartbreaking, the team came close to winning it all the following season.
The end of the 2019-20 season also saw the departure of Doc Rivers as head coach. With Tyronne Lue stepping in, the Clippers seemed like a brand new team. Although they were horribly afflicted by injury, the team showed immense depth and character.
After a tough season, LA managed to make it as far as the Conference Finals. Unfortunately, the road ended there as they lacked the resources to get past the Phoenix Suns.
The 2021-22 season was a disappointment as they were knocked out of the play-in tournament. However, with an opportunity to make the playoffs this season, we look forward to seeing what the team has in store.
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