FanPost

D’Angelo Russell – Is He the One?

The Los Angeles Lakers used the second pick in 2015 NBA draft to bank their future with a 19 year old named D’Angelo Russell. The pick surprised many. But many applauded the choice as being bold and contemporary. The pick ignited excitement among Lakers fans and Lakers nation. Russell was called a passing savant by Jay Bilas of ESPN. Some compared him to Magic Johnson. Some fans expect Russell to restore the Lakers to their glory right away. Some caution patience and a realistic view. Russell played his first five games as a Laker, albeit Summer League games. Let us have a close look at D’Angelo Russell, the future of Lakers.

Most mock drafts had the Lakers taking Jahlil Okafor because of the Lakers’ tendency to covet dominant big men. But the Lakers instead went with a point (combo) guard, D’Angelo Russell from Ohio State University. This move clearly indicates the direction the Lakers front office is taking.

The Western Conference has become point guard and combo guard dominant with the likes of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Damian Lillard, Chris Paul and Tony Parker. These guns in the west have been shooting down the Lakers on consistent basis for the past few years, frustrating Lakers nation. And here comes Russell, our version of premiere NBA guard. With the development of Clarkson, the Lakers’ back court looks very interesting all of sudden. But so much is riding on how Russell pans out. Can he deliver anywhere near people’s expectations? Or is he going to remain a project?

Byron Scott was quoted saying that D’Angelo Russell is not Magic. No one is Magic. A 6’9" point guard with the nimbleness and the speed of a gazelle and near super natural peripheral vision of the court – no one is that magic except the Magic. Then who is D’Angelo Russel?

We really do not have much on Russell. He played 35 games at Ohio State University last year. His numbers are not staggering. 19 PPG, 5 APG, 6 RPG, 47% from two-point range, 41% from three-point range. His numbers are slightly above average, but nothing to rave about. He has struggled thru the first four games of the summer league. But it is the intangibles which gives Russell that "it" quality. That’s why Byron was beaming with a smile from ear to ear right after the pick was announced. Mitch Kupchak said of Russell;

" He’s got gifts that you can work really long and hard on and still not acquire those gifts."

He definitely have the court vision which all the great passing point guards possess, i.e. Magic Johnson, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul and Rajon Rondo. The court vision and awareness are something that is very hard to teach and/or learn. He knows when to slow down and when to push it during the game. We saw several glimpses of his vision in the summer league games.

He has the smarts on and off the court. He seemed to have the will and the work ethic to become great. He plays the game effortlessly. He passes the ball with such a natural ease. His shooting stoke is also effortless. The areas of his game that need immediate improvements are his shooting and turnovers. He tends to be careless with the ball at times. He is a streaky shooter–needs to be a consistent shooter. Over all he seems to possess all the tools necessary to be the next face of the Lakers. However there are two huddles Russell has to jump over in order to become the face of the Lakers franchise.

There is a reason why most high first round picks don’t pan out. In the transition from College to NBA; from a dorm room to a very fine luxury residence; from a three digit bank account to a seven digit account; most kids get lost. It is very tough for 19 and 20 years old kids to handle overnight fame, money and media scrutiny. It will be much more so for Russell because he is a Laker. We will have to see how Russell deals with this first huddle. We hope he handles it in a mature and professional manner.

The second huddle is Kobe Bryant. He has been waiting patiently for someone he can pass down the Lakers’ torch to. Kobe Bryant will not easily give that torch. Russell has to take it from him by proving to him and to the basketball world that he has no other choice.

Russell has to show Kobe Bryant that he works just as hard as or harder than Kobe. He has to show he’s got what it takes. Once Kobe Bryant buys into Russell and takes him under his wing, then the future of the Lakers looks very bright. With Kobe passing the baton to Russell as on the court leader, the Lakers will experience the teamwork which we have not seen since 2010. We hope Russell is 100 percent ready to accept the role of the protege. The most important lesson he needs to learn from Kobe is how to win.

With the addition of three solid veterans ( Roy Hibbert, Brandon Bass, and Lou Williams); with supporting cast of Jordan Clarkson, Nick Young, Larry Nance Jr., Robert Upshaw, Jabari Browns and Tarik Black; and with healthy Kobe Bryant, it will be "game on" for Russell. Lakers nation has not been this excited for a season in a long time. The 2015-16 season will provide the answer to our title question, "Is he the one?" We cannot wait to find out.