D'Angelo Russell Discussion: Adopting A Professional Attitude

I don't think harden is really a good comparison at all. Harden is not the greatest athlete but he's more explosive, quicker, and much better finisher. Russ will be a much better mid range shooter.

 

I'm sure he's in great shape and can bench a lot, but this picture makes me laugh. Reminds me of when I was a freshman in HS and was struggling to bench 50 lbs. LOL

 

Rough.

He's definitely a thin kid. His frame isn't ideal for muscle building either, but what you're seeing those two pictures is great! His front squat form (from that picture at least) looks really solid. I'm guessing that's a tricep extension, not a bench press but it's all focused on core strength above extremities.

These are good workouts, but are great basic workouts to start with as well. Building muscle isn't ideal until you've built better muscular endurance and those exercises will do a great job of that. I follow Tim DiFrancesco on Twitter just to see what our lead trainer is saying and he's an incredibly knowledgeable trainer. Good stuff.

I'm glad to see Russell already addressing the things he needs to improve on though! That's great, great stuff.

 

It's most likely a pullover, and yes, the toes should be pointing outward when doing goblet squats.

 

I can't help but love this kid already. His last summer league interview he says he's going to get into the gym and work on his strength, and there he is doing it. It's not hard to make Lakers fans like you, work hard to improve, play hard on her court. Clarkson has done these things and we love that kid already as well.

 

Sure. It's the same thing to me, different terminology. Lifting is notorious for made up names for different lifts. Straight leg deadlift = Romanian deadlift. I'm terrible with the names, it's been one of my biggest complaints.

 

It depends on the type of squat you're doing and really on the person's body. Some people need to squat with their toes facing forward, some people need them facing out. In the particular squat you're seeing, pointing his toes out helps rotate the knees out a bit which you sort of need since the weight would hit your knees. It works out different parts of your legs and butt.

Traditional barbell squats on your shoulders are typically done with your toes facing forward, but they don't absolutely have to. Everyone's bones are placed a little differently in your body. If you have knees that tend to bend medially (knock-knees), I'd suggest rotating your toes outward a bit to lessen the strain on the ligaments in your knee. That type of thing.

 

Kid still has to grow into his physique after all he is only 19. Russell is aware of his limitations and is setting to work on them. Clarkson did the same so look at him now. Reassuring to find we have drafted a pair who aren't content and looking to improve.