D'Angelo Russell Discussion: Adopting A Professional Attitude

I was just watching that practice video, and yeah you know what? He looks rail thin. Even compared to the young guys who haven't entirely grown into their NBA bodies. A bit of a worry.

 

Russell will need to work on his handles to get into the lane regularly in the NBA.

Regarding defense and his frame....I'll take it with a grain of salt because everyone said the same thing about Steph Curry when he came into the league. Russell is way more thick now than Curry was as a rookie and Russell will put on weight much like Curry did.

Yeah in the highlights I've watched of Russell I notice he doesn't drive in and finish himself. If he goes into the lane he's usually trying to kick it to someone. I'd like to see him develop an elite finishing game a la Tony Parker or even Steph Curry.

 

Ginobli because he's a lefty? He's not nearly the slasher/finisher Ginobli is. I'd agree that's what he NEEDS to work on though. I was just comparing his frame to curry, and using Curry as an example of someone who is a good finisher.

I don't think the Curry comparisons are 100%....he's a good shooter but in no way is he elite like Curry and he's much more of a floor general than Curry. I can't really find a comparison for him....he has some of Nash with a bigger frame but even that comparison isn't right.

 

^ I definitely see it in his personality too.....the thing I prefer about Russell's game, albeit in the limited footage available, is that he isn't afraid to just shoot the damn ball. Also he's ok with playing off-ball on possessions somewhat regularly.

My two criticisms of Paul over his career have been that he's super super ball dominant and that he refuses to just be selfish and just score the damn ball. I feel like Russell has the rest of Chris minus those 2 qualities, but we'll find out soon.

 

Oh also CP3's defense....a lot of is effort and Russell isn't a supreme athlete but would LOVE for him to be even 75% of what CP is on defense.

 

I don't really see the CP3 comparison. Paul is a great floor general, but he doesn't have the gifts of D'Angelo in terms of court vision and creativity. What I mean is that Paul is great at running the offense and getting his teammates to certain spots on the floor, but the delivery of his passes are pretty generic. D'Angelo finds and exploits seams in the defense that no one else can see, and his creativity allows for delivery of impossible passes. It's a rare gift that very few players possess. I'd say that part of his game is most similar to Magic. I guess you could say D'Angelo is flashy, but he's certainly more exciting than Paul. I wouldn't be surprised if people started to claim "showtime is back" in a couple of years.

 

imo i think that the main obstacle russ will face is facing bigger guards, but i think that as he ages he will fill out a little more and he will get stronger, kind of like clarkson did from last season to this season

the 82 game grind is hard and it takes time to adapt but im sure russ will make it happen

sometimes you compare players physically from year 1 to year 3 or even 5 and it looks like a totally different person

 

Pretty sure its been posted

But i'll just leave these here

 

I didn't think Russell was quick or strong enough to get past guys either, but boy is he one crafty player. His handles are really top notch and I do see the Curry and Harden comparisons in that respect of being able to get where he wants. Ginobili is close in that way, but I also give Ginobili a little more credit for his first step and finishing ability rather than his handles. The thing with Russell is that although he may not be as elite as Curry on his shot, he has a pretty darn good shot and players will have to respect it. Once players close, he can use his handles to get around most guys like any spot up shooter can.

He may not currently be the floor general that Curry or CP3 are, but he certainly has the potential to be. He has all the confidence to get there, and that's what most players of his talent level lack to get over the hump.

I believe in this kid.

 

Kind of like Magic then. Have Clarkson guard the 1's a la Norm Nixon and B Scott. I like the similarities.