Most people believed that D’Angelo Russell’s re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers during the offseason was primarily done to acquire him as a trade piece. It all made sense, especially since Russell waived a clause that would have given him some power if the Lakers wanted to trade him.
To many’s amazement, though, Russell is having a terrific season, especially now that he is back in the starting lineup. Russell’s season average is 17.7 points and 6.4 rebounds. He also has a career-high 3-point percentage of 41.7% and a career-low two turnovers.
It has been incredible to watch Russell play at such a high level considering that many had written him off as not being able to have much of an effect on a strong team because of his defensive deficiencies, which were brought on by a lack of agility and athleticism. Despite his physical limitations, Russell is aware of them and compensates for them with a strong work ethic.
Russell said, “I simply hoop, I do not keep up with the numbers,” after the Lakers defeated the Washington Wizards. “I honestly believe that what you see is the outcome of my hooping and confidence in my abilities… All I truly have is that work ethic, because guys like me are not in this league for nothing.
“You do not see many unathletic mes like me in this league, you guys are laughing, but I like finding a way to contribute and be relevant to a team in the way that I do it.” Even though I am perhaps the slowest player in the NBA, I still make an effort to study the film, be in the correct spots, and work my way up the ranks to benefit the team.
Russell might be the slowest point guard out there, but he works hard to be successful both on the court and in film analysis. When attacking, he manipulates angles, changes pace, and uses his handles to reach where he wants which along with his vision amd shooting makes him extremely difficult to contain.
Russell is hardly a one-on-one stopper defensively, but he can read the defence well enough to jump passing lanes, and his stature helps him avoid being picked apart in the post. Russell is another evidence that talent and effort can triumph over merely physical tools as he has truly come into his own.
