D'Angelo Russell Discussion: Adopting A Professional Attitude

"..he'll understand better what we need to do..."

I don't think ANYONE on the team understands what you're trying to teach, Byron! That's not on them, it's on you.

 

Sounds like it. Mitch already traveling with the team...how sad. You have to babysit your head coach so early in the season. 4 interviews, a track record of incompetence, and we still hire him? Yeah smart thinking. Unfortunately, Jim and Jeanie support Byron, and are probably one of the only things they can support in unison. Plus, Magic stays quiet and only voices his appreciation for Baby B; however, Byron with each game he coaches, is closer to moving Jim out and giving free reign to Jeanie to hand over the position over to Phil. A soap opera...

 

Mason and Ireland were tearing Byron up a little while ago for not playing Russell. I'm sure they read fan forums as well. I expect this to blow up if there's no change.

 

Because I don't think some good court vision and decent defense equates to superstar potential.
Kendal marshall has good court vision too.

 

The Superstar part. lol

 

Kendall Marshall never had good court vision. He padded his stats in D'Antoni's system like a lot of other point guards.

It's not just court vision and solid defense it's the ability to attack on screen and rolls. Both hitting the in between jump shot, the three will come eventually, he can score off the dribble, can pull up, attack in transition, step back, he's got the handles to be able to seperation, and he's shown an ability to find teammates consistently. They just can't catch his rocket passes. Also has shown he can get on the board for a point guard. All around point guard. Outstanding play making skills, can shoot, attack, rebound, play defense. He's a superstar in the making.

 

Getting back to the topic at hand....

Mason and Ireland have definitely changed their tune. Tonight's game will be interesting on a lot of levels.

 

Yeah Mason and Ireland are the first of the LA media heads to change their tones. I find myself agreeing with Mason a lot more than I have on the past.

 

I see Russell as a guy who has Chris Paul type potential to me that makes him a superstar. I think he's gonna be a great all around point guard like that.

With his size and length I think he'll be a very solid defender. His play making skills are top notch. As he gets more experience and adds some weight he'll be able to finish more around the basket as well as draw and finish with contact. His mid range is pretty solid right now. He needs to work on his consistency from three.

To me when you pick a guy #2 I don't think you should be satisfied with an All Star. You're looking for a franchise level star. It's a rare opportunity to get that high of a pick and you have to hit on it.

 

Me too.

 

russell will be a star in this league one day

but byron scott is not the coach he needs to develop into that star. looks like we're in for another lottery season. it's time for scott to go and a coach brought in who can help russell develop with the limitless potential he has

 

At #2 you should be ecstatic with an all-star player. They are by no means guaranteed @ #1 either but the drop off from #1 to #2 is big. Once in a while, sure, and they happen at even far higher numbers than #2 (Kobe, Mark Gasol, Ginobili, Tony Parker etc). But look at the last 8 years of #2's and how many qualify as a all-star let alone francise-level player (granted some are developing still):

2015 D'Angelo Russell
2014 Jabari Parker
2013 Victor Oladipo
2012 Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
2011 Derrick Williams
2010 Evan Turner
2009 Hasheem Thabeet
2008 Michael Beasley

If D'Angelo ends up being the type of solid PG that can be like a #3 on a championship team then we did well.