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D'Angelo Russell is already working in the weight room, wants to get in 'best possible' shape

The Lakers' rookie is back to work.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers rookie point guard D'Angelo Russell described his Las Vegas Summer League performance as "not good. For me not good. I know what I'm capable of... and I don't feel like we played to our full potential." He isn't wasting any time to get back to the grind.

Russell understood the need to improve after being disappointed in his own showing, and described how he would do so after the team was eliminated from the Summer League playoffs by the Utah Jazz. "I'll try to change my body off the court as best as possible in the weight room, and get in the best possible shape."

Of course, if an NBA legend wants to work with him, he'll be ready to accept. "Then if Kobe has time has time for me, or Steve Nash, those guys or Magic Johnson, or whoever reaches out to me, or I reach out to them, I'm definitely going to take in into consideration."

After finishing up his Summer League weekend by attending the quarterfinals between the Phoenix Suns and the Chicago Bulls with his good friend, Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Russell is already getting back in the gym with Lakers trainer Tim DiFrancesco:

Russell understands the importance of working on his physical fitness, but he also prizes the mental aspects of playing point guard at the pro-level. "It's all mental, I feel like. I don't feel like you have to be the strongest or the fastest to get it done, and I've never been that guy to be the strongest or the fastest, so I try to figure out how to use my mind to its full potential and just get it done."

The offseason is here, but the work is just beginning for D'Angelo Russell

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