The Milwaukee Bucks had a very brief run in the playoffs last season, and the blame for that was spread around.
However, a lot of people called out newcomer Kyle Kuzma, who had just joined the team a few months before.
Now, Kevin O’Connor is sticking up for Kuzma and thinks that fans should cut him some slack for how he performed last season.
“I think it’s fair to give him a pass for last season. It’s hard to go from losing from four straight years with no expectations to win, to suddenly starting having winning expectations,” O’Connor noted, via NBACentral.
“I think it’s fair to give him a pass for last season. It’s hard to go from losing from four straight years with no expectations to win, to suddenly starting having winning expectations,”
– @KevinOConnorNBA on Kyle Kuzma
(h/t @HoopAnalysisNet ) pic.twitter.com/7k7kU93hEI
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 6, 2025
During his 33 games with the Bucks, Kuzma averaged 14.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists.
But during the playoffs, he only produced 5.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.8 assists.
He wasn’t looking like his regular self, and many people noticed, and they all wanted more from him.
However, O’Connor noted that Kuzma came to Milwaukee from the Washington Wizards, a team that has known very little success.
For the previous four seasons, he didn’t think he was going to win at all, and the Wizards were consistently at the bottom of the pack in the East.
He is trying to shift his perspective and feel like a winner again.
Hopefully, Kuzma’s confidence and drive return in full force in 2025-26.
The Bucks need a lot of wins in the new season, because they are trying to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy and also want to turn a page after parting ways with Damian Lillard.
Kuzma was supposed to be a bright spot for the team, but he has experienced some struggles so far.
How will he look in the new year?
NEXT: Bucks Superstar Still Evaluating His Future In Milwaukee