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After the worst season in franchise history, Los Angeles Lakers fans have been treated to quite a week. It all started last Sunday, when the team announced they had declined the third-year option on head coach Byron Scott's contract after the two least successful campaigns in franchise history.
Then, after a ton of rumors surrounding a very short search, the Lakers announced that they had hired former fan favorite Lakers forward and current Golden State Warriors assistant coach Luke Walton as their new head coach.
Walton wasted no time in praising the potential of the young team he was inheriting, singling out point guard D'Angelo Russell as having the potential to be a "perennial All-Star." The last consistent All-Star performer the Lakers had at that position took to Twitter on Sunday to tell his followers he wants to help Russell reach that goal, and has already started offering tips to the 20-year old:
Laker Nation: I had a really good lunch meeting with D'Angelo Russell!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 1, 2016
In my meeting with D'Angelo Russell, he picked my brain about the PG position and I'm looking forward to working out with him this summer!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 1, 2016
Laker Nation: I'm looking forward to being a mentor to D'Angelo Russell on and off the court.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 2, 2016
As long as Johnson isn't giving Russell advice on how to run his Twitter account, this is good news for those rooting for Russell's success. Johnson has become a successful businessman following his legendary Lakers career, and could serve as an excellent mentor for Russell off the court.
Far more fans are probably concerned with Johnson's on-court advice for Russell. Magic racked up the fifth-most assists of any player in NBA history in his 12 NBA seasons, and could surely offer valuable advice to Russell, who already boasts promise as a playmaker but still needs more polish.
Johnson is several inches taller than Russell, but both are large for the point guard position, and Johnson could presumably offer Russell advice on passing out of post-ups in addition to more general lessons.
Whatever advice Johnson has to offer, it should be welcomed by open arms by Russell as he looks to fully develop his talents moving forward. After several years of being critical of the Lakers organization, it sounds like Magic is ready to lend a hand to their rebuilding efforts.
You can follow this author on Twitter at @hmfaigen.
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