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Kyle Kuzma had dinner with Kobe Bryant on Tuesday evening.

Kuzma reached out to Bryant to forge a relationship and to receive mentorship.

“Just work,” Kuzma said when asked about Bryant's message. “That’s cliché, but that’s what he stands for, that’s what he values. That’s what I value. So that was really the message.”

Kuzma also said the discussion was very detail-oriented, focusing on “a lot of little things within basketball that go a long way.”

Rob Pelinka and Bryant still communicate frequently.

“He’s just really enjoyed the way Kyle’s attacked his rookie year,” Pelinka said. “The mentality he’s played with. For him to grab dinner with him, swap war stories, is invaluable. And I think Kyle was in awe by everything he heard.”

“I want to be good,” Kuzma said before Wednesday’s game. “Why not learn from one of the best? So I took that approach. Of course, it was cool. But I had a lot of questions and I was really excited just to get to know him, meet him, learn from him.”

Via Bill Oram/Orange County Register

KB needs to show him the nuance of defense and boxing-out on Rebounds. How can Kuz be so nimble and fleet of foot on Offense, but a complete stiff on Defense?

i love this kid, but he needs to play D and box-out.

Wow!! Thats a big deal for his career!! To have one of the greatest ever give their time to this kid is awesome!!!!

But who paid the bill?

good thing Lonzo has Lavar who is better than MJ. Kobe whooooo???