D'Angelo Russell Discussion: Defense... "That's Not What I Do"

Discussion in 'Lakers Discussion' started by The Original 81, Jun 25, 2015.

  1. KB24

    KB24 Administrator Staff Member

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    Its kind of surprising how Russell has become pawn literally in the NBA, getting tossed around the league.

    Whats now...5 years and 4 different teams? Its surprising because he is on the right trajectory (getting better) and there aren't report of off-court issues.

    Why do these teams trade him? Especially for a guy like Wiggins...notoriously overpaid.

    Honestly, I don't get this trade at all. Ya maybe because Wiggins can play SF and Russell is more of an on ball guard (doesn't work well with Splash brothers) but is Wiggins really the best you could come up with?
     
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  2. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    The pick is lightly protected and belongs to minny. So it’s pretty valuable. Wiggins is a really expensive Harrison Barnes, and they didn’t think dlo would mesh well with Steph/klay. The latter is debatable given how well multiple ball handlers have worked of late, but if they’re just trying to recreate the 73 win team, this makes some sense.

    does that team win that much now, though?
     
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  3. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    They got their finances where they need them, they got two picks, including one that's probably going to be good. Right now, the Warriors would get pehaps the top pick this year, a 4-30 pick from Minnesota in 2021, two secound rounders in 2021, and two second rounders this year.

    They could completely revamp their roster outside the big three.

    I don't know how good they'll be. Steph-Klay-Wiggins-Draymond-Looney is good, and they have Smailagic whom I'm high on. They'll have to make shrewd moves with those picks to get the right roleplayers.
     
  4. Wino

    Wino - Lakers Starter -

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    I think they look at Wiggins as being able to fill a need and simply be an asset. They did not bring in DLO to be anything other than a trade asset. They found a better fitting piece that they could bundle as a trade asset down the road. The modern NBA. As far as DLO moving from team to team, at this point, he should not really care. He is NOT going to ever be in Kobe, Jordan, Kareem territory anyhow. He is set for life, doesn't even matter if he gets another contract or not but he likely will. He is a solid guard at this point, just don't think that he will EVER be any teams reason that they are winning. He could probably get on a team that is winning and contribute but he will be a third prong of attack at best. If I was him, I would not be worrying about any of it, I would just be sure I have a big enough garage to park my Porche's!
     
  5. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    If it weren’t for Brooklyn last year I’d agree. He was the best player on a playoff team. They got worked in the playoffs, but they were green. He won’t be an all-time great, but I don’t see why he can’t win. I mean, maybe not in Minnesota...
     
  6. Wino

    Wino - Lakers Starter -

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    When I said win, I meant rings, not just making the playoffs.
     
  7. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    Right, but almost no one WINS in that sense. I had a long post, but basically this amounts to being top 7 in the league, and it would exclude ~98.4% of NBA players currently in the league. That's fine. I don't think Russ is top 10. He might be top 50.
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2020
  8. 432J

    432J - Lakers All Star -

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    people are really making wiggins look like the worst player in the league

    yes his contract his terrible but he's nowhere near being as bad as people make him out to be. i feel like he'll do real well in GS
     
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  9. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    advanced stats have hated him forever, despite his box score production (at least in terms of ppg). has never lived up to his potential on defense and never become a good enough three point shooter to be a prime perimeter threat. he's sort of like derozan with less ballhandling ability at this point.
     
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  10. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    He's absolutely a better positional fit than Russ, but the suggestion of some that now they have a body to match up on opposing SFs is absurd. Still, it's a good trade for both teams, I think.
     
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  11. KB24

    KB24 Administrator Staff Member

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    ^and less passing. DeRozan is a very good playmaker, especially for a wing.
     
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  12. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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  13. tada

    tada - Lakers All Star -

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    Well, to be fair...
    Lakers... Nick Young. And Magic didn't like him.
    Brooklyn... Kyrie and Durant.
    Warriors... Got him as trade asset. Everyone knew he wasn't staying.
     
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  14. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    That DRtg isn't looking so bad now. 10th out of 24 players who have registered numbers on the Wolves.

    Russ has averaged 24.4 points, 8.0 assists, and 4.0 rebounds since joining Minnesota. He's shooting 44.4% - 39.6% - 92.0%.
     
  15. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    Lol. Wolves fined $25k for resting Russ. Warriors haven’t been fined. Have they?
     
  16. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    As good as LeBron? Got it.
     
  17. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    think he's in trouble in minny. atkinson (great coach) got a lot out of him. kerr could have but was in a rough spot with the injuries. i don't trust minny in general. poorly managed, top to bottom. feel like this ends poorly for him and KAT (and GREAT for teams that end up poaching those two).
     
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  18. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    I'm not sure. I thought he was when the move was first made, but he's starting to buy in on D. Did you see the game-sealing block he had on Butler? He also really likes KAT, so we'll see how they do together.

    All that said, I think Atkinson was clearly the best thing to happen to him so far. And it will be hard to reproduce that.
     
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  19. 432J

    432J - Lakers All Star -

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    yeah he would've continued thriving in BKN

    just a case of being in the right place at the wrong time
     
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  20. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    First basketball post in some time. Missed shootaround. LOL. Had a strong second half, blocked a shot, and the Wolves won.
     
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