D'Angelo Russell Discussion: Adopting A Professional Attitude

He would be my new favorite player if he did lol.

AC Green would be rolling over in his grave

 

I didn't watch much of Russell in college, and I wanted to look more into seeing if I could find out exactly what the Lakers saw in him. I watched his college highlights, even video from his McDonalds All-American game.

What I took away from that is that he isn't much different a player than he was then, he definitely isn't super athletic, which is interesting considering like every NBA starting guard in the West is quick and can beat you off the dribble and get to the hoop. Russell doesn't seem to really do that. I also saw him dunk only ONE time in these videos and it was a breakaway where he was all alone, in high school.He also plays at the same speed we're seeing now, very laid back, very slow-paced. It can almost looks like he doesn't have fire or passion out there, because he doesn't show it like guys we have now. Clarkson is go go go, and Randle wants that ball and to bully guys.

I think being used to Kobe, we can judge Russell incorrectly here, maybe based on the way he carries himself out there, he's so smooth he can make it appear he's not going all out, but that seems to be his game is all.

What I took from what I saw in those videos though, looking deeper at the things I listed above, is a little different take. I doubt any of this is new info, but what I'd say the Lakers saw in this kid, are a few thing they saw in a young Kobe. Not that he will ever be Kobe, but that he has a few of his desirable traits.

First, you can say he plays slow, and at times he does, but you can also say he plays with poise and under control. This was apparent in vidoes I watched where games were tight down the stretch and he was controlling things. He had poise not as if his team was tied in the final couple minutes, but as if it were any other point in the game, ice in his veins.

Second, I'd say he has the clutch gene. In one video I watched, his team was tied at 60 and he came down and bombed 2 threes in a row to give them a lead very late in the game. I think even though a game was out of our reach recently at the end, we saw this same thing from him. Don't remember it it was Portland or Sacto, but he just started throwing up threes in the last couple minutes and he made like 2 or 3 in a row like nothing, maybe 4 but one didn't count because of a foul away from the ball.

Lastly, sort of going along with the playing under control thing, is he has a feel for the game, sort of like Kobe did even at a young age. He sees things others dont, he makes dribbles that are pretty difficult look easy. He has a lot of sneaky moves. He won't beat you with his athleticism as mentioned, but he's crafty and can use his body and handles to get toward the key, and he has some sneaky shot releases and layup skills, as well as knowing how to cut and get open.

Again, all of this may be redudant, but I was trying to get more of a feel of what the Lakers see in this guy, and I think I did. Poise, clutch ability, desire to be great, IMO certainly not afraid of being handed a team and being asked to be the man, which he did in college. Again, not Kobe, never will be, but in ceratin little areas he reminds me of rookie Kobe. That Kobe showed flashes, and had a ways to go, looking at him as a rookie you'd never think top 5 player of all time, 1st year Kobe vs 3rd year Kobe was not close to the same guy. If Russell can start to get his jumper to fall more, and be a little more aggressive, things are really going to open up for him. Only time will tell, but I'm encouraged by the things I didn't know much about before, especially the clutch factor and him wanting the ball in big moments, that is very important to me.

Some of the videos I checked out yesterday

 

@Weezy I can't tell you how much I appreciate your post. I was disappointed that we drafted D Russ, but got over it and have been trying to be optimistic. With some players you can just see it. Some, you never see it. Some you have to wait and see. I've been in the "wait and see" camp with D Russ because I haven't seen much to get excited about. I just don't see that fire or glimpse of what's to come. But your post made me realize he's got that cool under fire approach. I'm fine with that. As long as he's effective when it matters.

@RandleROFY I agree he should be running pick and roll. For all the Triangle talk with Phil, I think we ran a LOT of pick and roll his last 2 title years. Still the best play in NBA history. Might as well use it.

 

:Headpoint:

 

Russell's passing is going to be electric.