D'Angelo Russell Discussion: Adopting A Professional Attitude

The kid has played three games, but hey lets go ahead and write him off already. Russell does have a very good skill set. He can pass, he can shoot, can attack off pick and roll, good in transition, makes teammates better with his court vision, has already showcased his penatrate and kick ability, because of his size and length can be a very good defender.

I really don't get why people are saying he's slow and unathletic. You don't have to jump out of a building to be an NBA athlete. I don't think slow players can be as good as he was on the break at Ohio State or creating off the dribble and attacking the basket.

 

The views that he is slow and not athletic are just false. There are plenty of videos, highlights, etc around the web that prove this. Honestly, there are plenty of videos in this very thread that show that.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but that just isn't true.

 

So Okafor had 24 pts in 21 shots. C'mon DAR, take 21 shots.

 

The upsides I see right now are his poise and IQ. He rarely makes the wrong play so it's reassuring to see the ball in his hands. His shots are starting to fall so that's a good sign too. I also like his defensive positioning.

The bad --- he's way too tentative. He needs to drive to the basket more. He doesn't make those high-risk passes anymore. I think he's scared of turning the ball over, but without the risk-taking he becomes an average player. He was drafted for his vision. He has got to make those plays.

 

Completely agree. What happened to the assists? He's too scared to mess up.

Everyone is being so harsh on the kid that he's scared to play like himself and make mistakes.

Its been 3 games!! It takes a couple years. Playing scared like this isn't going to help his progress. He would have been much better off playing for a low radar team and developing the skills that made him the #2 pick.

 

@TheGreatOneKobe Agreed, no pain no gain!

 

Looks like D'Angelo is already on the dating scene. Apparently, he's dating Kendall Jenner!

 

^ Good for him She's the prettiest of the bunch (i think the most "quiet" too). Good luck hitting that playing for Philly

 

She's a Jenner / Kardashian still. There goes DAR's mind to the dark side and we haven't gotten our 2nd pick investment out of him yet.

 

Mudiay v. Russell, stardom vs. mediocrity

 

Out of all the Kardashians/Jenner, Kendall is probably the most normal(and naturally beautiful). So I wouldn't worry if he was dating her.

 

Seems we drafted Russell based on his vision off the court.

 

I never said he was the reason for losing. I was calling you out for blaming him for trying to guard the likes of Rubio and Rondo. Most guards have a tough time guarding those guys anyways, doesn't help when you don't have a defensive scheme to defend it. You're blaming Russell because you think he's slow.

We didn't draft him to be a defender or to be speedy like people don't draft Steve Nash to be a defender or quick. We drafted him because he has great vision and has a good stroke. The reason you're not seeing Russell display his "superstar" "it factor" is because of what I already explained. He's a playmaker, and Byron is using him as an off guard. Imagine if Byron was using Okafor as a stretch 4, same difference.

 

D'angelo needs to just let it go *queue frozen song*. Whether I see him on the court or in interviews, he always seems like he's putting up this facade of being Mr. company man 'yes sir no sir whatever you say sir' just trying to blend in and not step on anyone's toes. Granted, I haven't watched a lot of his off the court interviews before he landed here so I'm no expert on his personality, but it just looks like he got neutered or something after putting on the P&G.

D'angelo, be a cantankerous little s*** if you want to, talk back to the coach, talk back to Kobe, demand more of the ball in your hands, yell at guys for dropping your passes (not in a cancerous way, but a passionate one). Forget who is watching or what "legend" is on your team. Show some life out there young man, make your mark. We're losing badly already, so don't be afraid to play through mistakes.

But I get it, none of this matters if Byron Scott pulls you out of the game when you start to heat up. Still, I think he could do more with the limited minutes he has had so far.

 

I want to see an edge to him, a little fire here and there. I thought his quote about the Mavs offense was great. Maybe it's not his personality but I like seeing Randle go at the vets, I like seeing Clarkson with that swagger after a good play. Maybe he just needs to get his feeling for the NBA game..... I'm also just being a little impatient.

 

D'Angelo Russell: Still Loading For the Lakers: http://www.lakersnation.com/dangelo-russell-is-still-loading/2015/11/03

 

Good piece Trevor, hoping it calms some fans down already calling him a bust.

 

Just still loading, that's all. He's not DLoaded until he scores his first max contract.

 

Patience and Lakers fans don't go hand in hand.