Kyle Kuzma of the Washington Wizards got the last laugh after Cleveland Cavs supporters taunted him during the NBA game in which LeBron James presented him with a championship trophy.
Kuzma was a backup player for King James’ Los Angeles Lakers team that won the NBA title in 2020.
Kuzma, now a starter and emerging star for the Wizards, inserted a symbolic dagger into the hearts of Cavs supporters before twisting the knife. Kuzma was named MVP after leading the Wizards to a last-second victory over the Cavs.
On Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, with his Wizards trailing the Cavs in the final minute of the game, Kuzma sank two crucial 3-pointers to lift his team to a 97-94 victory.
During the press conference, Kuzma relished the opportunity to brag about his involvement in the Cavs’ defeat.
“I was just ready, I was ready for it,” Kuz told reporters. “Plus, there was some hecklers during the game, talking to me. It was their fault, really. It was their fault.”
Kuzma discussed a few fans in particular who held a placard that read, “LeBron won Kuzma his ring.”
The Wizards forward had the perfect response: “I said, ‘Without LeBron, Cleveland wouldn’t be s—‘,” he said. “So, they chose violence and I just kept going. So, thank you guys, I appreciate it.”
When he led the Cavs to a championship in 2016, King James, of course, ended Cleveland’s 52-year championship drought in any sport.
After the game, Kuzma rubbed it in fans’ faces by running over to autograph the sign that motivated him to amp up his game in the final seconds.
