Chandler Parsons rebukes Kyle Kuzma’s star image: “Ignorance is bliss with him, he thinks he's a star”

Kyle Kuzma of the Washington Wizards is quietly turning into one of the best players in the NBA. He's shown that he can be a legitimate scoring threat as well as a decent defender.

Although the Wizards haven't necessarily found too much success with him on the team, he's going to earn himself a big contract, and it's well deserved.

Kyle Kuzma was traded to the Wizards by the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won an NBA title with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He didn't pan out the way that Lakers fans were hoping for in Los Angeles, but he's proved what he can do on a stage where he can be one of the first options.

Former NBA player Chandler Parsons, however, doesn't like the attitude that Kyle Kuzma has now:

“Ignorance is bliss with him. He's got confidence. He thinks he's a star... I don't think he's ever a one or two option on a championship team. I don't ever think he's an All-Star, but he's gonna get paid.”

Kuzma recently discussed how people perceive him differently, and one of the reasons is the way he dresses, which Kuzma recognizes raises questions. In a recent interview with The Athletic, Kyle Kuzma had the following to say:

I’ve always had belief from the jump. I think over my years, I’ve had different roles, I’ve had different perceptions about me. Does he like basketball? Does he care about basketball? Does he like fashion? But for me, I just have this incredible self belief.

I believe that no matter who I’m on the court with, I’m the best player. And that’s gotten me to this level. That’s gotten me to where I am. That’s why I’m having the season I’m having, so my irrational confidence has always been a key thing for me."

Kyle Kuzma's attitude changed in Washington

Not only is he a great basketball player, he also has a different attitude and style that distinguishes him from most NBA players. Kyle Kuzma enjoys having fun on and off the court, whether it's through his eccentric attire, flashy dunks, or other means. Kuzma discussed how he was able to be himself in Washington.

“Being in this situation helped out a lot. Here, I’m not playing behind LeBron and AD. Those guys are my position, my type of player, who I am, my style,” Kuzma said. “So coming here, I don’t have that anymore. It’s been great because me, Brad, and KP don’t get in each other’s way. We all just flow out there. It’s been a pretty good jell for the first 20 games. We’re all averaging 20 a game without having any friction out there.”