Byron Scott compares D'Angelo Russell to Magic Johnson, thinks he can be a superstar

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott had nothing but nice things to say for the new Los Angeles Lakers rookie D'Angelo Russell, whom the team selected second overall in the 2015 NBA Draft on Thursday night. Scott said he saw shades of Lakers great Magic Johnson from Russell. That is especially high praise coming from Scott, who played alongside Johnson for the Showtime Lakers.

Scott also coached a Chris Paul as a rookie, and so it may not just be smoke when he says that Russell is on "a similar level" that Paul was as a rookie. Russell will have another future Hall of Famer in his locker room in 19-year veteran Kobe Bryant, and Scott said that his main advice for the rookie would be to "stick as close to Kobe as possible."

The Lakers head coach was obviously excited about the front office selecting Russell, saying that "talent wise Russell may be the most talented player in the draft." Here is Scott talking to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne about Russell being the best player available:

<iframe src="https://vine.co/v/e5V6UiIep5h/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe><script src="https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script>

And here is Scott saying he thinks that "without a doubt" Jordan Clarkson and Russell can play together:

<iframe src="https://vine.co/v/e5Vgdj6w9au/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe><script src="https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script>

When looking at Russell's shot chart from his lone season at Ohio State, it is easy to see the reason for Scott's unbridled enthusiasm:

Scouting report for D'Angelo Russell is ALL OF THE FLAME EMOJIS DEAR GOD DONT LET HIM SHOOT pic.twitter.com/zWMLOYyp9u

— Hot Pie! (@TJFsports) June 26, 2015

Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, and Russell getting out and running in transition? Summer league, and this season, are going to be fun.