D'Angelo Russell Discussion: Adopting A Professional Attitude

I think @tada nailed it. The point I've made all along is that having another initiator gives Russell the freedom to just go out and play. Now I've used the word point guard too, but maybe that was a mistake. I just want another guard that can initiate (heck another player) the offense so that Russell doesn't feel the responsibility to set other guys up.

This was by far my favorite game he's played in so long. Like I said a few games ago, he's just sharp! He's focused, making good decisions, and just playing the game without trying to do something. Magic and Pelinka gave him the old Yoda: do or do not, there is no try. When he's out here focused on running the pick and roll and hitting the roll man, he's a) not doing what he does best which is score and b) he's not having as much fun which takes away from his mentality.

Now my damn recording for whatever reason cut off the first 7 minutes and the last 7 minutes so I missed some of his ultra hot start and I missed why we lost. All I saw was Chook's highlights and D'Angelo didn't have the ball in his hands much down the stretch? I don't know why. If any of you can clear that up, it'd be great. Otherwise, this was a fantastic game not just for Russell, but for everyone. It's important everyone see stuff like this to figure out how to feed it, let it feed you, and fit together.

One thing that I saw that stuck out because I've been watching it: nobody cared who took out the ball. This seems like such a stupid thing I know, but all season long there's been a weird hierarchy on who takes out the ball and who doesn't. I've never understood it but Randle and Russell hate taking the ball out themselves even if they get the ball right back. When they do they drag their feet and take their time. It's weird and it sets a weird tone as if you're too good to do it and your teammates have to capitulate. I know it sounds like over analysis, but watching last night I saw Russell go take the ball out without hesitation a couple of times. It set the right tone and from then forward, Randle did it a few times too. Playing for each other even in a small way like that. Maybe it's a small thing I'm pumping up, but I took it as a way to determine how the guys are playing and right now they're playing the least selfish ball they've played all year.

 

We lost because the champs flipped the proverbial switch and Kyrie was a scorching inferno. Russell didn't get many looks late because in the 4th, Cleveland played hard ball denial on him and forced someone else to beat them with not great results for the Lakers.

 

He's taking up 5 million in cap space. We might have to include the Houston pick in order to get someone to take him.

 

Oh my god. We had a player force a team to adjust.

 

I figured. That sort of feeds into the other point I made in the Julius thread: it's important for these games to happen too so that they can all learn what this sort of thing feels like. That's a good experience for Russell who gets to see what it feels like to have a team focus all their attention on him. It's good for Randle and Clarkson and Ingram who should have been able to capitalize on a team hard denying Russell which should leave someone else available.

 

Who doesn't love these stats?

Most X Point games by a player through age 21 (inclusive):

20-point games
1. Kobe 94
2. Magic 56
3. Russell 29

30-point games
1. Kobe 12
2. Magic 9
3. Russell 4

40-point games
1. Kobe, Bynum, Magic, D'Angelo - 1

One more - most assists through age 21, Lakers:
1. Magic 880
2. Kobe 803
3. Russell 521
(Randle is 8th, Ingram is 9th)