D'Angelo Russell Discussion: Adopting A Professional Attitude

Bird, Jordan, Bron, now Tracy. We get it kid, you don't like Kobe
Can we redo the draft and pick Jah... .

 

Kobe worshippers and people who wanted to pick Okafor initially (not all) are going to hang on every word Russell says; the response to this tweet has just been so silly.

 

Ruh roh. "Kobe worshippers". Be careful ROFY. Not "nice".

Characterizations like that could be perceived as mean spirited and hurtful. I'm considering being offended. Where is that "report post" button anyway?

 

Please stop taking about Jah... I'm still salty

 

Kobe is the devil.

 

That's what John Holmes said?

 

Kobism

 

Norm Nixon likes Russell and Clarkson together.

Norm Nixon: Jordan Clarkson, D’Angelo Russell Duo Could Be ‘One Of The Best’
Posted by: Serena Winters Posted date: August 19, 2015 In: News | Comments : 185
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Many were surprised when the Los Angeles Lakers passed up on big man Jahlil Okafor and selected point guard out of Ohio State, D’Angelo Russell, with the second pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Though general manager Mitch Kupchak conceded that the current style of play may have played a small factor in their decision, ultimately, it was Russell’s pure talent that the organization felt they could not pass up on.

“At No. 2, you hope to get a player that has All-Star capability, and we think we did. He’s got gifts that you can work really long and hard on and still not acquire those gifts,” Kupchak remarked moments after the draft.

Since then, Kupchak’s continued to voice his confidence, recently telling SiriusXM NBA Radio, that he envisions Russell and Jordan Clarkson in the Lakers backcourt for the next 10-12 years.

Kupchak isn’t the only one with a big vision for these two young guards. Former Laker and two-time NBA Champion, Norm Nixon told LakersNation.com that he thinks this duo could grow to be one of the best in the league.

– What will Jordan Clarkson make this season? Find out here! —

“You don’t expect them to change the world this year,” Nixon said of D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson. “But, if they can get out and get 25-30 minutes a game for 82 games, these guys will be one of the best backcourts in the league if they live up to their potential.”

The public got a quick glimpse of what Clarkson and Russell might look like together in the backcourt during NBA Summer League, with Clarkson looking more comfortable as the secondary ball-handler/scorer, but either able to run the floor and set up the offense.

“They are very athletic. They have size, [they are] knowledgeable players,” Nixon said of the Lakers future backcourt. “It’s just a matter of getting out there and playing and continuing to develop.”

Russell was far from satisfied with his Summer League performance, citing assertiveness and lackadaisical defense as a couple areas he needs to focus on. In his five games, Russell averaged 11.8 points, 3.2 assists, 5.2 rebounds, 1.0 steal, and 5.20 turnovers per game. With a full NBA season under his belt, Clarkson picked up right where he left off, averaging 16.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists per game and looking extremely comfortable and confident on the floor.

Lakers training camp is less than a month away, with their first preseason game kicking off October 4th against the Utah Jazz in Hawaii. It’ll be interesting to see the different lineups head coach Byron Scott puts together and if Russell looks more comfortable and assertive out on the court during preseason.



http://www.lakersnation.com/norm-ni...sell-duo-could-be-one-of-the-best/2015/08/19/

 

If Russell can finish off the season next year with those numbers with more efficiency shooting from distance and cutting down his TO's, I'd consider that a success in his first season.

 

I completely agree. Priority number 1 should be to learn to play more under control. I think it's pretty clear this kid has amazing vision, but the next step in his development will be honing in that vision so as to not be so reckless.

 

My baseline projection for him is to average at least: 10ppg 6apg 4rpg 1spg 45%FG 35%3PT < 3 TO's

I would consider that a successful rookie season for him. The one thing I'm not expecting him to do is score a whole lot, even though I know he can. A lot of fans are going to expect him to be a scorer, but his main focus should be moving the rock. We have scorers on the team already. The scoring chances will be there for him, and if he starts making guys respect his passing, he'll open up more avenues like Nash did.

 

Lakers rookie D’Angleo Russell joined Lakers Reporter Mike Trudell and Mychal Thompson on ESPN 710’s Thompson & Trudell Wednesday morning to talk about everything from playing alongside Kobe Bryant and Jordan Clarkson to preparing for his first training camp.

Below is a full transcription of the interview:

Q: On how he’s doing overall:
Russell: I’m great, man. Adjusting is the key right now, but I’m great.

Q: On what he is doing to get himself ready for training camp:
Russell: I’m preparing mentally. I don’t know what’s coming my way, but I know Coach (Byron Scott) is on top of his guards when it comes to being in good shape. Mentally and physically condition-wise, I’m just trying to get prepared for it.

Q: On whether there is one person who has helped him transition to the NBA the most:
Russell: (Assistant coach) Larry Lewis is one of the main guys that I’ve been working with. He really has an interest in me getting better as soon as possible. So I respect his work ethic and work with him every day.

Q: On whether he has been told that he will be the Lakers’ starting point guard from day one:
Russell: No, I have not been told that. … Whatever Coach’s decision is made, I know it will be the right one.

Q: On whether he and Jordan Clarkson have discussed about playing together:
Russell: I feel like we’re dangerous for our team. We both rebound. We both can push the break, and we both can run the wing. So if he gets it and I’m running the wing, he can set up the offense or make the right decisions and vice versa with me. I feel like it’s dangerous, and we can play together easily. I think it will just take some time.

Q: On which player he is looking forward to playing the most:
Russell: I’m not going to give you the “right” answer on this one, because I really don’t know. I’m not going to say any names, but I know this whole Western Conference is full of great point guards. So I’m just looking to make my first go-around with those guys.

Q: On his day-to-day regiment in getting his body ready for the NBA season:
Russell: There’s been a lot of success throughout this whole organization, and (head athletic trainer) Gary Vitti is a legend around here. His credibility’s off the charts. So if he tells me or asks me to do something, I’m right on it. That’s with anybody around here. It’s like they try to have the best of the best around here. Everybody’s opinion matters to me. I’m 19 years old. I’m just coming in like a sponge to whatever I’m willing to learn.

Q: On why he thinks that Tracy McGrady might have been the greatest player of all-time:
Russell: Lakers fans felt that I was taking shots at Kobe (Bryant) when it was the complete opposite. I know a lot of guys that are out there that have never played basketball, and then there’s guys that have. If you’re watching highlights on somebody and they’re doing stuff that’s got you like “Wow!” and you’re trying to watch the next highlight on them — you’re just like, “Man, he might have been nice.” I probably used the wrong term — the greatest of all-time — but I was watching a highlight on him at the time. I could’ve been watching Vince Carter or Allen Iverson and would’ve said (that), and everyone would’ve gone crazy, but it was no disrespect.

Q: On what his communication has been like with Bryant:
Russell: I’m a rookie, so I don’t want to come in acting like I know the guy. And I don’t want to come in acting like I’m too cool. That first impression is a big impression. I reached out, told him happy birthday, and that’s it. We talked about linking up before training camp, and that was it. I don’t want to be harassing the dude because I’m a fan and I’m a teammate. I just kind of let it play by.

Q: On what he thinks of the city of Los Angeles:
Russell: I have my own condo. The city’s nice, man. I ride around with my brothers around the city all the time looking for places to eat. There are so many different places to eat. Then when the sun goes down, the scenery’s even better. It’s a beautiful city.

Q: On his individual goal for the season:
Russell: One: I want to be a guy that everybody is saying, “I want him on our team because I know he’s going to make me better.” That’s my impression. You’ve got a lot of guys that say, “I pick him because he’s gonna run through a brick wall for me. He’s a junkyard dog. He’s this and that.” But I want to be the player that’s gonna make everyone around him better. That’s my intention.

Q: On who his alma mater, Ohio State, should start at quarterback:
Russell: I have no idea, man. I guess Braxton (Miller) did a great job of changing positions and making it easier on everybody, but I couldn’t imagine what Coach Urban Meyer’s going through. Honestly, I would go with J.T. (Barrett). He had a lot of success and stepped up to the plate last year. So did Cardale (Jones), but Cardale had to do it for four games and J.T. did it the whole season. I would definitely put my trust into J.T.

Q: On what he does for fun:
Russell: I’ve been doing everything. I was just up at the driving range the other night. I sucked, but I was there. I took a helicopter ride over the city like two days ago. And I’m a FIFA fan, so I like to get a few people over and play (the) FIFA (video game).

 

“I’ve never been that guy to be the strongest or the fastest,” Russell says. “I try to figure out how to use my mind to its full potential and get it done. Just slowing down [was important]. The first two games started with turnovers and stuff like that. When I just slow it down and relax it’s easier.”

Coach Madsen agreed that his star rookie got better as the week went on, but was far more complimentary, stressing that summer league is a learning experience.

“D’Angelo Russell has a knack for making the people around him better,” Madsen says. “He can find a way to get passes through where there’s not much space. He can deliver the ball in the pick-and-roll. He can find shooters in transition. If I was a player in the NBA today, I would love playing with D’Angelo. He’s going to get you open shots throughout the game. Over the course of his career I think he’s going to have a lot of teammates taking him out to steak dinner because of those passes.”

Read rest at link: http://www.complex.com/sports/2015/...-angeles-lakers-is-as-good-as-gold-and-purple