“Should’ve been me, but it was Delon,” Kyle Kuzma hilariously suggests he should have won Wizards Defensive Player of the Game belt over Delon Wright after win over the Trail Blazers
Kyle Kuzma and Delon Wright have been friends since their days at the University of Utah. Kuzma joked after the Wizards' win against the Trail Blazers that he should have won Defensive Player of the Game belt over Wright.
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Kyle Kuzma (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Kyle Kuzma put on a show for the Washington Wizards in their win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. After missing the previous four games due to a left ankle injury, the forward erupted for 33 points. Not many players can outshine Damian Lillard on his court; however, Kuzma stepped foot in Rip City with all guns blazing. In addition to his scoring outburst tonight, he was outstanding defensively, spending most of the game guarding Lillard or Anfernee Simons. He couldn’t, however, beat his teammate Delon Wright for the Wizards’ Defensive Player of the Game belt.
The Wizards started an intriguing tradition this season. After every game, one player takes home the Defensive Player of the Game belt, depending on the player’s defensive effort. As Delon Wright got recognized for his defensive effort and won the belt, Kuzma joked that it should have been him with the belt around his waist.
While addressing the media after their 126-101 win over the Trail Blazers, Kuzma was asked who won the belt tonight. Right off the bat, he made it clear that the belt should have gone to him rather than Wright.“Should’ve been me, but it was Delon. I don’t know why because I was on Dame and Simons all night, but he’ll take it. It’s alright,” Kuzma joked.
Wright might not be known for his offensive game, but he is renowned for bringing intensity to the defensive end. In 29 minutes of action, he finished the game with only five points. However, he had four steals and played great on-ball defense, making key defensive plays throughout the game. Kuzma might not have beaten his good friend for the Wizards’ Defensive Player of the Game belt. However, his offensive onslaught was instrumental in leading his team to victory.
Kyle Kuzma and Delon Wright’s friendship dates back to their college days
Kyle Kuzma and Delon Wright starred together for the University of Utah. Years later, both friends have written a dream chapter in their storybook, playing together for the Washington Wizards. Kuzma is unarguably a star for the Wizards, and Wright serves as their primary backup guard. However, during their college days, the latter was NBA bound, while the former fought hard to get on the NBA radar as a late bloomer.
Interestingly, Kuzma once said that he learned a bunch from Wright during his bench-warming days as a freshman in Utah. “Delon is a guy I used to look up to in college,” the 27-year-old said. “He was a Bob Cousy Award-winner and I was this freshman playing like 5-to-7 minutes a game, so I got a front row seat to watch him methodically dominate people in college. I learned so much from him,” he added.
Delon Wright also once talked about Kuzma’s college days and how it’s been incredible to see the forward refine his game so much. “If that, I don’t even know if he played that many minutes,” he said. “It’s crazy because he tried to play the same way in college; shooting fadeaways and playing like [Kevin Durant] and coach didn’t let that ride. To see him actually play that way and expand his game has been crazy to watch,” he added.
It’s incredible to see Kuzma and Wright’s camaraderie. Given their challenging paths to the NBA, their mutual love and respect shine the brightest. Both haven’t forgotten their beginnings, and as a result, both players play with a chip on their shoulders.
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