clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle think Kobe Bryant would make a good coach

The young Lakers appreciated Kobe's guidance down the stretch

Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Julius Randle and D'Angelo Russell may have come off the bench in the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday night loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, but the two played down the stretch when it mattered, with Russell even hitting a game tying jumper to send the Lakers into overtime. The young duo earned the playing time with their strong play but also because Kobe Bryant vouched for them, reportedly telling Lakers head coach Byron Scott "coach, let em go. Let's see what they do."

Bryant's vote of confidence did not go unnoticed by the young Lakers' duo. "It's an honor," Russell told Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News."He easily could've told coach he wanted that shot to add to his collection."

"I would've loved to have Kobe out there, he's huge in those clutch moments," said Randle, as transcribed by Serena Winters of Lakers Nation, "but the fact that he trusted us, that says a lot about us." So could Bryant transition from his playing career to a head coaching position like his friend and New York Knicks head coach Derek Fisher? Randle and Russell sound like they would vouch for his credentials:

Mike Trudell of Lakers.com had some insight into the type of advice Bryant was giving the young guys:

Kobe has said many times over the years that he has no interest in coaching, but if he is willing to take on a player-coach type mentorship role with the Lakers' youth this season it could potentially have a big impact on their careers going forward.

Sign up for the newsletter Sign up for the Silver Screen & Roll Daily Roundup newsletter!

A daily roundup of Los Angeles Lakers news from Silver Screen & Roll