D'Angelo Russell Discussion: Adopting A Professional Attitude

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

  1. sirronstuff

    sirronstuff - Lakers Legend -

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    I feel like he's tried to take several things from the golden state system to implement hear such as minutes spread around.

    I felt like that would work with a mature veteran team, but was not the right approach for what we had going on. Playing music at practice for mature veterans is a little different then for kids who still need to learn how to play basketball. It might be a positive, and it might not be. I just think this situation was light years away from the best regular-season team in history. I'm not sure how the approach differed, and I'm sure it did, but there's a lot of new NBA guys on that staff and some trial and error going on right now.
     
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  2. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    I agree with all that. We're not disagreeing on much here. According to what Ireland said yesterday part of me suspects that Magic and Rob were furious with that one lazy game Russell had (the shot clock and the dribble out of bounds) and this may have come from them, but I don't know. They seemed adamant that they weren't going to interfere with Luke so there's got to be some sort of funky things going on behind the scenes.

    I just think the point can't be ignored that both Luke and Byron came to the conclusion at some point that Russell needed to be benched. Luke and Byron are diametrically different coaches. Luke is a player's coach all the way with a cool demeanor who makes an effort to forge relationships with his players. Byron is the taskmaster who would prefer everyone follow orders blindly and just accept his wisdom. Both of those guys reached this point so something to me is clearly wrong with Russell. Is he the only one to blame? Hell no. There's plenty of blame to go around, but I don't see any reason to sugar coat the kid that's all. Something has to give and I've watched the vast majority of these games. Neither he nor Randle have improved when it comes to focusing all the time. If it wasn't for Randle's offensive effectiveness lately, I'm guessing he'd be benched soon too. I called for it the same game that Russell got benched actually.
     
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  3. ZenMaster

    ZenMaster - Lakers All Star -

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    I'm not comparing. Back then Kobe's work ethic wasn't universally known as legendary. Even if his peers knew that, the masses probably didn't.

    I'm absolutely positive that a large percentage of fans wanted to ship him out after those airballs.

    He dunked ferociously though, which IMO was his saving grace.
     
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2017
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  4. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    you can see it in all interviews. pre-draft, they had russell, okafor, kaminsky, and towns, and it was clear that towns and kaminsky were mature and thoughtful and the other two...weren't. recently, i saw him in a panel with booker and some others, and dlo didn't impress. booker didn't really, either, but probably moreso.

    my point is: i could see this in a five minute segment, but the lakers either a) didn't see it, b) don't value character/personality, or c) decided his talent level made it worth the gamble that he'd grow up.

    i'm hoping it's the latter. but even if it is, they should have been doing a better job mentoring him in the time since the draft.
     
  5. Savory Griddles

    Savory Griddles Moderator Staff Member

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    Do you mean letting him room with Nick Young while on the road wasn't smart? :D
     
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  6. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    Completely agree with all of this.
     
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  7. sirronstuff

    sirronstuff - Lakers Legend -

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    :Kobepuking::Tabarnak:

    I'm not happy. Do something. Do it now.

    (I know they can't REALLY until the offseason, but darn this is depressing.)

    Deep breaths.

    Just 14 more games before we can put this season out of its misery. :Woozyshaq:
     
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  8. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    I don't know. Saving grace to me is generally just hard work. If I see you cooking out there, then I know you've got heart. I may still replace you, but if I see the effort I know my efforts are reciprocated. With Kobe I never really questioned that he was trying hard even if that effort was misguided at times because he was a brash, annoying youngster.

    Case in point: I like watching Brewer and Nwaba play. They work their tails off even if they have marginal-at-best talent. The dream is a guy who works hard like them and natural talent. That's why I still hold out hope for Ingram and Zubac. They've been dealt the same hand as everyone else, but those two come in and keep working. The losses bother them and it shows in their effort, demeanor, and production.
     
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  9. sirronstuff

    sirronstuff - Lakers Legend -

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    I think it's silly to question his maturity level. /sarcasm

     
  10. Bryant

    Bryant - Lakers 6th Man -

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    Yeah, look at his mentor!

    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...onio-arrested-latest-details-mugshot-and-more
     
  11. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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  12. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    A friendlier picture:

     
  13. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    (...waits for everyone to suddenly become body language experts and pick apart those photos...)
     
  14. sirronstuff

    sirronstuff - Lakers Legend -

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    folding arms is a REALLY bad sign

    :Noddingyes::Fishwink:

    On another note, it looks like Magic can't zip up that athletic suit he's wearing....
     
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  15. sirronstuff

    sirronstuff - Lakers Legend -

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    D'Angelo is literally trying to throw it all away right now!!!!

    [​IMG]
     
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  16. sirronstuff

    sirronstuff - Lakers Legend -

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  17. Savory Griddles

    Savory Griddles Moderator Staff Member

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    What if...and bear with me...what if D'Angelo has been instructed to play like dog s--- so that when it comes time to trade for George, Indy is less likely to ask for him? It's perfect. D'Lo plays bad which helps the tank and makes him unattractive in trade offers forcing Indy to settle for Randle, Clarkson and the Houston pick.

    [​IMG]
     
  18. sirronstuff

    sirronstuff - Lakers Legend -

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  19. Battle Tested20

    Battle Tested20 Moderator Staff Member

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    Good to see Russell laughing and smiling a little.

    Glad that Magic and Rob are making the rounds
     
  20. Lakerman JSJ

    Lakerman JSJ Moderator Staff Member

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    That's excellent use of one of my all-time favorite GIFs!

    I tip my cap to you...like this...

    [​IMG]
     

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