LeBron James‘ teammate found himself on the wrong side of the spotlight during the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets. His performance was very?unsatisfactory. The Lakers swept the series, however,?the 27-year-old point guard’s problems were so obvious that they benched him?in the final game. He only?played for?15 minutes until they decided to substitute him.

The jokes and insults came thick and fast, but underlying the laughter was an undeniable truth. The 2019 All-Star had a lot to prove in the offseason and he even spoke up about his bad performance publically.

The Lakers point guard accepts his mistake

With a deal that reflected his lowered value, D’Angelo Russell faced an essential offseason packed with questions about his abilities and role on the team. The critics were not without reason, given his poor defensive play and inconsistent performances. Russell, on the other hand, remained steadfast, and it appears that perseverance is now paying off. D’Angelo Russell has emerged as one of the Lakers’ brightest players during the first three preseason games. And it is all?thanks in part to an early vote of confidence from Lakers associate coach Darvin Ham, who named him the starting point guard before training camp began.

His scoring, particularly a 21-point outburst, has been unmistakable, but it’s not just his offense that has people talking. Russell’s enhanced emphasis on the defensive end distinguishes this camp. A significant development in this area indicates a level of self-awareness and dedication to his team’s success that few players exhibit. Russell even admitted after the game, “Last year, they found a way to get me off the floor by not playing defense, I guess”.

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He continues, “So, trying to be a reason to eliminate that, not give them a reason to not have me on the floor. Try to be as dangerous as I can on offense and try not to be a liability on defense. That’s what I’m working on”. Darvin Ham, Russell’s assistant coach, has been important in his development. He applauded his efforts?and?highlighted?his better decision-making, play calls, and ability to include teammates. Russell is also improving his ability to create opportunities for himself and others on the court.

Russell’s performance in the preseason games

D’Angelo Russell has been nothing short of spectacular in preseason. Despite the fact the Lakers have yet to play a genuine “home” game, Russell’s performance has enthralled the audience. He led the team with 21 points in a remarkable performance against the Sacramento Kings, showcasing his scoring prowess with an efficient 8-of-12 shooting, including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. Russell’s overall contribution is absolutely outstanding.

In just 21 minutes of action, he scored eight points, grabbed three rebounds, and contributed on defense with a steal and a blocked shot. This balanced performance reflects his developing maturity and versatility on the court.

Furthermore, Russell’s contribution to the game goes beyond the box score. He demonstrated his leadership by managing a critical 13-3 run in the third quarter, nailing back-to-back pull-up 3-pointers to give the Lakers a 70-62 lead. It’s apparent that he’s not simply a scorer, but also a playmaker who can help his team perform better. Due to this, the Lakers fans have every cause to be thrilled about this dynamic player’s potential effect on the next NBA season.

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