D'Angelo Russell Discussion: Adopting A Professional Attitude

There was "one" who was raving about his athleticism from the start and virtually called what we're now seeing. He had this high tech "eye" analysis thing he was working with at the time.

 

And a great passer.

So, all in all, encouraging.

 

I said "feeling lucky" before the game and was hoping to see D'Angelo play his best game yet to leave him, the organization and most importantly....all of us here at LB.....on a high note. I also mentioned it was another little test of his stated ongoing adjustments and figuring out what he has to do to get better in which areas to beat you. A little test of "clutchness, again" similar to how he stepped up and aced his 2nd workout for the Lakers. Mission accomplished!! This guy IS going to be special. Yeah the rebounds too, has a nose for the ball.

Maybe he won't put on 5lbs by start of the season, but I do expect us to look at him and go "dayam" visibly, compared to now.... at least a little more definition and obvious strength, and also be going .....Holy Crap look at how good he is looking. When you factor (in) he and Jordan will be getting hands on physically and mentally ...... instruction from one of the very greatest PGs of all time in Steve Nash. And on the shooting, or off guard side of the equation ..... from Kobe Bryant.... living legend....3rd lifetime scorer in history of NBA.

Jordan already shows what that looks like with his progress so far. Russell has said over and over he wants to pick their (I'm including Nash) brains and be a sponge in learning from them as much as he possibly can. I believe him.

And if therealdeal is super happy with how his early defensive capabilities are looking, then certainly that doesn't suck as well.

 

I'm sure Julius is there too, all along this whole time since he came to the Lakers. Probably never more so than being matter of factly talked through and encouraged for his rehab following the devastating injury. I would think, and hope, if Roy is truly on a mission for redemption and a new contract, maybe right here, that he will be asking for similar guidance, knowing Kobe has played with the most dominant Big Man ever, for a period of time......and what Kobe's basketball relationship on the floor was like with him.

 

I just realized if Julius went to Syracuse, they might have called him......

Spoiler: wait for it....

 

LMAO!!! I didn't see your spoiler tag the first 3 times I read your post, and was going what the heck are you saying??

 

Hahahaha...did you call it LT?

 

No. Not at all. I was one of many mocking these calls on CL. Too often the buzzwords of "length", "athleticism", "athleticism", "eye test". And admittedly (me) "annoying" manner in which they were perceived. But props where props are due. therealdeal's "whole family of crows" needing to be eaten by many of us. Raises own hand!

 

Let's hope he doesn't play Harden defense...

 

According to 82 games, when Harden is OFF the court, the Houston defense improves 5.9 points per 100 possessions.

Which is the worst among the starters.

 

I really didn't notice much difference in harden's game, save for more media fawning. still has a totally unreliable midrange game and no off hand, still doesn't defend off the ball or keep ballhandlers in front of him in space, still lays some major playoff eggs.

all that said, he's got about 20lbs of muscle on Russell and finishes (well, ref-baits, really) on a whole different level. Russell needs to look at ginobili, as his frame is comparable and he was able to finish in the paint for years.