FanPost

Was D'Angelo Russell the right selection in the 2015 NBA Draft?

NBA commissioner Adam Silver walked out to the podium at the 2015 NBA Draft. He had just announced Karl-Anthony Towns as the number one pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and was now holding the future of the Los Angeles Lakers in his hand. Would the Lakers choose to adapt to the Point Guard revolution and add a possible future star at the position with D'Angelo Russell or would they choose to remain with the blueprint that has won them championships in the past and go with an offensive big man in Jahlil Okafor?

As Silver stepped up to the podium, he looked out to a roaring crowd of NBA fans. Each supporting different teams but all carrying the same hope that a future franchise altering superstar would be drafted to their teams and raise them from the ashes of an abysmal season.

" With the second pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers select... D'Angelo Russell"

And thus, a new era of Lakers basketball had begun. The promising young core of Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle was already being envisioned as the new Laker dynasty by Laker fans all over the globe. But to some Russell was not the right choice. Many believed that management should have selected the safer player in Okafor as everyone knew he would be a capable 20-10 guy, there was minimal risk in having selected Okafor as he would soon be an offensive force as his post game had been marvelled at during his time at Duke. Others thought the seventh overall pick, Emmanuel Mudiay would of been a better choice as he possessed the same athletic gifts as a Russell Westbrook, John Wall and Eric Bledsoe. There was also the mystery surrounding number four overall pick Kristaps Porzingis who had drew comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki but was seen as a risky chance as he was an unknown and people believed he wouldn't be able to contribute on a high level for at least another three seasons.

As the 2015-16 NBA season prepared to kick off for the Los Angeles Lakers the hope of making a run at the eighth seed seemed like a possibility. The additions of a returning Kobe Bryant and Julius Randle from season ending injuries as well as the signings of reigning 6th Man Of The Year Lou Williams, veteran forwards Brandon Bass and Metta World Peace along with the trade for Roy Hibbert got Laker fans hopes up as they now had a roster with young talent and veteran experience that should be able to battle with some of the lower teams in the Western Conference for a playoff spot. This hope soon turned into a nightmare as the Lakers started their season 2-8 through the first 10 games of the season. Worse in some fans minds was the way D'Angelo Russell had been playing. He opened his season up with 4 points and 2 assists. The team he was facing was the home of number one overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns who debuted with an impressive 14 points and 12 rebounds in his opener. Meanwhile, other rookies were showing what they're capable of as Kristaps Porzingis started his NBA career with 16 points and 5 rebounds in a win over the Bucks. Emmanuel Mudiay scored 17 points and chipped in 9 assists in a 20 point win over the Rockets (albeit with 11 turnovers also). Jahlil Okafor had a dominant offensive game with 26 points, even though it was in a loss but to Sixers management, that's a win.

Doubt started to surround the name of D'Angelo Russell. Was he a bust or was he simply having a harder time adjusting to the NBA? To start with, a player who needs the ball in his hands to show what he is capable of in Russell is not going to be dominating the ball when he has to share it with other ball dominate perimeter players in Lou Williams, Nick Young, Jordan Clarkson and Kobe Bryant. Russell also seemed to find his way into coach Byron Russell's doghouse as he struggled to get any meaningful fourth quarter playing time. This is not the case for the three other rookies who were all in situations that were allowing them to prosper.

Okafor is the first, second and third scoring option in Philadelphia and you only have to look at the roster to understand why. While he has showed flashes of being a dominant scorer; a 26 point opener in Boston and a 26 point performance against Toronto, it is still unclear if that's more of a case of the sixers having no other consistent offensive weapons to choose from. But with averages of 17.8ppg and 7.7trb Okafor is still showing an impressive knack of being one of the better offensive big men in the league.

In Denver, Mudiay has been given the keys to Mike Malone's offense. With no other real ball handlers or guys that can consistently create for himself or others, it's not a surprise why he has the keys either. He has had some impressive performances including a 26 point outing against the Phoenix Suns and has shown glimpses of being one of the better Point Guards in the future but has struggled with taking care of the ball with an average of 4.3tov per game. With an average of 12.9ppg and 6.4ast Mudiay is looking more like a franchise changing Point Guard each game.

The unknowns that came with Kristaps Porzingis has soon been cleared up as he has shown flashes of dominance all while dealing with the pressure of playing in the Big Apple. He has become a fan favourite and been given the nickname 'PorzinGod' as he continues to soar in for put back dunks over anyone who is in his way. In New York's most recent game he carried them to a win over the Houston Rockets with a near triple double effort with 24 points, 14 rebounds and 7 blocks. He has shown a defensive ability his comparison, Dirk Nowitzki never had through his career. Averaging 13.2ppg and 8.8trb, Porzingis is going to be a nightmare match up in the future for opposing big men.

Recently the calls of D'Angelo Russell being a bust have quieted thanks to more consistency in his offensive performances. Russell may be under the most pressure of any rookie in the league and in recent memory. He has to deal with the pressure of being in Los Angeles as well as being proclaimed as the heir to Kobe's throne in LA. All while dealing with a coach who seems to be taking his frustrations out on him, Russell is still averaging 10.4ppg and 2.9ast. The numbers don't stick out like I'm sure many would hope they would but they are solid rookie numbers, which will increase as the ball finds his hands more often. There have been glimpses of Russell's passing abilities that made him the number two pick as well as the ability to shoot. His length has also helped him be a solid rebounder at his position averaging 4.5trb per game.

Only time will tell who the Lakers should have selected with the second pick in the 2015 NBA draft but with a continued development Russell should turn out as one of the better Point Guard's in the league. When he gets the chance to have the ball in his hands for the majority of the game we will be able to see how Russell fairs. The future should have him being apart of better times in Laker Land and one day lead LA back into title contention.

*all stats correct as of the 23rd of November*