D'Angelo Russell Discussion: Adopting A Professional Attitude

this is a random James Harden "post Metta" picture find I thought was funny

 

Is it me or Is Swaggy the one cheering on all his baskets in the first half? He gets up and cheers on almost all of them.

 

didn't redick break the quickness machine? but anyway, yes, athleticism as it translates to in-game action: there are stars in the league who don't look more athletic than russell.

i think his main athletic disadvantage is strength, which is why i'd rather him not be defending sgs.

 

Harden is indeed crazy athletic. The problem is he doesn't use it like Westbrook or Wall, he doesn't just sprint baseline to baseline or fly in like LBJ or Leonard for a huge chasedown block. But he's so strong and explosive in tight quarters it's outrageous. You can be in his hip pocket and he'll lose you within two steps.

 

guess i disagree. harden rarely blows by anybody, hence all the odd foul draws. if he had blow-by speed, people wouldn't be close enough to foul him. he also rarely dunks unless it's on a break or in a clear lane (same situations in which russell would dunk).

harden's strong and skilled, and pretty quick on the first step, but not fast or explosive on or off the ground.

 

"Consistency"

 

Should be our teams slogan. "Consistently Inconsistent".

 

*scratches head* i thought russell played decent d last night. he was really bothering rubio in the second half, which is why towns went thug on that one play. clarkson was and always is the real problem spot defensively, imo.

russell's recent problem has been not going vertical on his jumpers. otherwise, strong.

i still cringe watching clarkson play pg while russell's on the floor. but i guess when you're not trying to win games, it doesn't matter.

 

With his recent play, Russell is the least of our problems imo, but I really think Lonzo Ball would erase a lot of our perimeter struggles, both on O and D.

 

i've got strong doubts there, and not only because he'd be a 19 year-old rookie. i think the hype has gotten ahead of this kid's likely actual impact.

 

Honestly I haven't been following him closely enough to comment further. I'm just speculating "on paper" (ie height/length, tremendous court vision and play-making abilities, anticipation and instincts as defender) Sounds like a great pairing with Russell.

 

I think Ball and Russell will work pretty well but I'm concerned about them on the defensive end. I am worried about the hype around him though.


I still lean toward Fultz as the better overall prospect.

 

Is Fultz scouted as a better defender than Ball? He's quite a bit shorter than Ball.

 

Have you scene ball highlights on d? He just equally terrible when screened and is easily blown by off the dribble w/o screens

 

If you pair Ball and DAR you are going to need defense in the other three positions. They both have the size and length to be good defenders but just can't seem to figure it out on that end.