D'Angelo Russell Discussion: Adopting A Professional Attitude

I'm not sure why you keep saying we'd have to choose. We likely could have both right now.

 

Because it is ... h y p o t h e t i c a l. Some people are still mourning DLO being gone. I'm saying due to his inconsistencies mixed with getting red hot at times and acknowledged relatively poor and not consistent defense ..... that if the two were to compete at DLO's best position perhaps Kuzma could even win that competition with his own (so far exhibited) high octane and more consistent shooting plus greater repertoire, size advantage, equal or greater athleticism and coordination, ambidexterity ...... and very likely better and certainly more consistent defense. Plus the size advantage and mismatches he could create.

Have we not talked multiple times about putting BI at the 2 spot in certain situations? And he hasn't even started to shoot consistently well yet. I think Kuz does better there than him. A taller Klay Thompson (very lite or just lite). And I'm not the first guy to bring up Klay Thompson similarities in the "lite" vein so don't everyone go getting your panties in a bunch.

 

I stated all my reasons above why MAYBE Kuzma could be better in a lot of areas. All you're saying is because .... what? How about looking at it this way, my money would be on Kuzma beating him out. Even as a rookie if Kuz and DLO were in camp together fighting it out for who is going the be the starting 2 guard on the Lakers and knowing the other one is getting traded ..... who wins that competition and why? Why is defense not factoring in here for all the whine and moaning we rightfully do over it. DLO doesn't have the dog in him either that Kuzma has.

 

where's the evidence for kuzma the defender again?

 

Well correct me if I'm wrong but it was agreed that DLO sucked on defense (athleticism, focus, grit and will to grind) and Kuzma had been commented on coming out clicking on most of that and as NOT being a "bad" defender. He's been banging on a lot bigger guys too. My personal bet is matched up on same other players in camp he would come out ahead with defensive scores even against 2 guards, if competing with DLO. Sorry if this is so ridiculous to some of you, but how about ticking off in the areas I have listed below just where D'Angelo Russell you're sure is going to smoke Kyle Kuzma in head to head competition to stay in Los Angeles as a 2 guard? Russell of course drafted as a PG and Kuzma as a (3)-4.



"I'm saying due to (Russell's) inconsistencies mixed with getting red hot at times and acknowledged relatively poor and not consistent defense ..... that if the two were to compete at DLO's best position perhaps Kuzma could even win that competition with his own (so far exhibited) high octane and more consistent shooting plus greater repertoire, size advantage, equal or greater athleticism and coordination, ambidexterity ...... and very likely better and certainly more consistent defense. Plus the size advantage and mismatches he could create."

 

How about on offense with whole repertoires, and styles of shooting the ball with DLO's rapid fire, no jump, shorter player, quickest of draws release ....... vs K.K.'s Robert Horry-like release after having the height advantage and additionally actually jumping. And so far through Summer League and Pre-season being more consistent game in and game out with that set of tools?

 

And this below courtesy of ElginTheGreat in the Kuzma thread with excellent insight into his background, vs Ice In My Veins look at Me personality of Russell why I would bet on Kuzma with that hypothetical in camp competition for staying on the Lakers at the unplanned for 2 spot as opposed to what they were drafted for. It's just conversation and both my hands are on the keyboard .... thanks for that, Savory.




http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...um=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national

 

I feel Kuzma has a better chance at guarding the elite and bigger SG's like Harden, Thompson, Derozan, and Butler. D'Angelo has no chance at slowing them down. He's slower, weaker, and shorter. At least Kuzma has the strength and length to bother them.

I actually feel Kuzma would be better served guarding SG's than PF's right now. Imagine him going up against the Pelicans frontcourt of Cousins and Davis. They'd both drop 40 on us.

 

and they're guards, so...50?

 

They wouldn't grab 20 boards and put in him foul trouble though

 

He looks good out there with Brooklyn... I hope he does good out there, I was one of the few all depressed we got rid of him...

 

Come on. At least he would keep grinding and banging with them so they have to work and they have to guard his size as well. DLO would just mentally say f*** it after getting lit up in the 1st quarter and figure why keep trying so hard .... need to conserve energy for offense.

 

Is he playing the 2 or PG?

Have you noticed any seeming improvements or differences in his game, or hard to tell at this point?

 

what if there was no such thing as hypothetical questions?

 

He's still performing better than "Mr Untouchable".