D'Angelo Russell Discussion: Opted In!

in his interview he basically admitted his D put him on the sidelines, so he's working on that side of the floor. That's good.

 

Love the self-awareness! It’s refreshing to hear a player acknowledge the criticisms about him and trying to improve upon his flaws instead of dismissing the critiques as hate

 

i think we miss a ton with him out. his no-show vs denver was the series. he's really talented and can do things nobody else on the roster can do.

i'd go so far as to say if THIS version of dlo was there against denver, we smash them.

 

I agree. Even an average series from him and we would’ve at least pushed that series to 6 or 7.

 

He’s definitely got to show up in the playoffs.

you can tell he’s been legit working on his game though which is encouraging

 

we were in pretty much every game, and that was with denver daring him to beat them by taking open shots and/or driving to the hoop. they would have had to completely change their game plan. malone basically played us almost as if we still had russ.

yeah, that's all there is to it. i think he knows that the only way he gets to opt out and make more money is if he delivers in the playoffs.

 

We'll see how he is when the physicality and intensity increases.

 

Instead of letting that series defeat him, he is using it as fuel. I don't think this version of DLO will fade.

 

He genuinely seems to be loving being a Laker again and playing with the guys on this team. Say if Rob were to give him the ole wink wink about doing more right by him salary wise after next season, or extend him "more rightly" (though not to the lofty 30G level before, and doubtful if anyone else would again) ..... if DLO did play really well all year and well as should be expected, based on the regular season, in the tougher playoffs and the Lakers do well ..... maybe he doesn't opt out to solely look for more money in possibly a less attractive situation team wise? Just a thought.

 

A good thought.

 

I don't recall Denver leaving him open.
Denver basically went a 6 man lineup and they had a lot of very good individual defenders in KCP/Brown/Gordon. Seemed to me they put KCP and Brown on him and they got into his mug. He didn't handle the physicality well and it really seemed to mess the pace he plays it all - made him shoot rushed shots or he became decisive.

I'm hoping his added strength and just the experience of more playoff ball helps him

Yep this is exactly what I thought got to him

 

DLo's spot-up and off-the-dribble shooting is a perfect compliment to the LeBron/AD/Reaves triumvirate on offense. Totally agree that if he has a decent series against the Nuggets, its a 6 or 7 gamer.

 

sorry, reverse russ (russ in the sense that his offensive game is severely lacking in some fundamental way). they acted like he couldn't beat them penetrating, and he didn't. but he can, imo. he does it a lot.

 

Now THAT'S confidence

 

This guy is playing fantastic 4 straight games and doing it so smoothly … really impressive!

 

He's definitely putting a lot more effort on defense. Has shown some nice anticipation and looked he was ready to jump plays because he read their actions

 

He looks ready to rock and roll to me. I wouldn't be shocked if he plays well, he's very talented. It's in the playoffs, where I have concerns tho. I guess we'll cross that bridge, when we get to it.