D'Angelo Russell Discussion: Adopting A Professional Attitude

Quite interesting read. And kind of explains why he struggles in the playoffs. He likes to play freely, play how he wants regardless of the mistakes he may make. And now, integrated in a system where everyone has a role and you need to execute a set of actions and play a structured way, kills his mojo.
Makes sense based on his personality and history. He's really gone as soon as Rob can trade him

Yeah, good analysis. I thought that too. I think it's one of those cases where you are already fed up with someone so you blame them for little things too.

 

You can't blow the layup though - folks wouldn't bother being mad about the lob if you make the shot and it was a bunny for an NBA player

 

i think he was surprised to get it, and he doesn't have a good off hand.

agree with pika that this isn't the first time lebron's shown visible exasperation with dlo for something that i'm not even sure was dlo's fault. i think he just doesn't like him. it's AD that likes him, right?

 

And the local hair stylist

he’s paying that person’s rent for sure

 

He was trying and mostly engaged last night. That's the main thing i want from him...just stay involved and don't mentally wander

 

whatever it takes

He's too talented to not play or go to waste. Having a coach getting him engaged without alienating him is important

 

Fine line on how to treat him to get the best out of him

He seems sensitive and pouts at times

Tough job for the HC

 

He’s just never going to be a consistent player.
Yeah, he can get hot, but his dramatic pendulum swings from good to bad are spectacular.
I’m rooting for him, and wish no I’ll will towards the kid.

 

https://x.com/AnthonyIrwinLA/status/1858544955947614517?t=94J5RVz00xPLNDAg9juRVg&s=19


He's +80 this year, by far the best +/- in the team. Quite interesting

 

What a shock to read that. Could it maybe correlate some at least to JJ trying to play him with AD as much as he can and he and AD click to boost it and AD alone is boosting it when they're together?

 

Maybe it’s because he’s feasting on the backups for the opposing team now.

 

something like this is probably it, as his advanced numbers are the worst in his career by a country mile. those try to factor in who you're playing with, so it could reflect that jj is trying to protect him by playing him with the best combinations. these are his lineup numbers so far:



very early and small sample right now. he's having a truly weird season so far, though.

another thing to consider is that he doesn't play with gabe, and gabe's numbers are among the worst i've ever seen at this point. like, don't let him on the floor bad. so your net numbers could just be a "not gabe" effect.

 

Gabe has been pretty good in helping the non-AD minutes. Lebron with the bench has been pretty bad without Gabe and much better with him.
He's strong which helps denying guards getting to the paint, which is super helpful when AD is not there.

JJ has been doing an outstanding job in adjusting and finding the best combinations of players with this flawed roster

 

Yeah DLo was great and looked for the rook every single time. Without DLo DK wouldn’t have his special moment

 

He’s actually trying on defense now!