The 2024/25 NBA season is still months away, but D’Angelo Russell is already making a name for himself. Well, just not in the best way. The Lakers guard has been a constant target of fan backlash due to his recent performances and the trade rumors have done him no favor. But with all the criticism aside, where does he rank among the best point guards in the league? D’Angelo is seeking that answer and is even open to slander.

Things got heated on Sunday when he shared a post with the caption, “I humbly agree.” The post that prompted this reaction read, “You guys realize Dlo gets hot like Curry did yesterday? Or should we just ignore the facts?” Well, D’Angelo might have agreed to it, but fans were quick to bin this theory of D’Lo being on the same level as Steph Curry. The online roasting forced Russell to delete the post.

Now just within 24 hours, D’Lo came up with another debatable post, in which he is looking for answers from fans about categorizing some top NBA PGs including him, Curry, CJ McCollum, and Damian Lillard. The 28-year-old wrote, “Great conversation if you ask me, who’s effective from off the dribble and C&S. Chef, myself, CJ, Dame. (Insert slander here).”

And just like he asked, the fans turned up in numbers to discuss the issue. To put it mildly, not many were fond of it.

Fans react to D’Angelo Russell’s ranking discussion

The task given was simple – discuss the effectiveness of the four-point guards from off the dribble and catch and shoot perspectives. Making D’Angelo’s work easy, a fan wrote, “No disrespect but I’m taking Steph in every facet of shooting.” There shouldn’t be an ounce of doubt about Curry’s marksmanship. His latest performances in the final two games of the Paris Olympics showed exactly why he’s in a league of his own. After suffering a shooting slump throughout the tournament, Curry burst into life with 17/26 FG in those two games.

“You’re high,” another fan added, showing definitive disapproval of D’Angelo inserting his name into the conversation. Looking at the career shooting statistics, Russell indeed finds himself out-matched compared to the other three. Curry has a shooting record of 47.3% from the floor and 42.6% from downtown. Damian Lillard has 43.8 and 37.1% in the respective categories, while CJ McCollum shot better than him throughout his career. The Pelicans guard is shooting 45.4% from the field and 42.9 from the deep, surpassing that of Curry. Compared to the three, D’Lo scored an impressive percentage of 43 FG but is some way behind the pack with only 36.9% shooting.

“Why is bro putting himself in the same conversation as these guys,” another fan wrote disagreeing with the post. Russell’s playoff performance against the Nuggets last season made him an eyesore to the Lakers nation. In game 3, his 0-7 shooting in 24 minutes was enough to dismiss his credibility as a shooter and a player fit for the Lakers’ bid for the championship.

Seeing Kyrie Irving‘s name missing in the conversation, a fan asked, “No love for Kyrie, DLo?” The Mavs guard was one of the standout PGs from last season. Kyrie found his rhythm back in Dallas after a few difficult years in Boston and then Brooklyn due to his off-court issues. Irving shot 41.1% from beyond the arc last season, making it his best 3-pts shooting season since 2021/22. His 49.7% FG was also Kyrie’s best since the 2017/18 season. So it was a bit surprising seeing D’Lo ditch him on the list.

There was appreciation as well for the guard. “I think what people don’t understand is being able to do both WHILE your role changing over the course of a season let alone week to week, is what has been truly impressive. I haven’t seen anyone in the league do that. While being in trade discussions. DLo top of the list rn,” wrote an X user.

Well, looking at the stats, D’Angelo did raise his shooting game in recent seasons. Last season he shot 45.6% and 41.5% from 3-pts. In March, the former Timberwolves guard shot 9-12 from beyond the arc in his 44-point game against the Bucks, showing his clutch potential.

The 28-year-old is again in the trade reports this window. He exercised the $18.6 million player option in his contract and will be entering his final season with the Lakers if no deal is struck by next summer. This makes him a prime trade chip for the franchise, as the LA side is looking to make some changes in their roster.

If D’Angelo Russell wants to see himself wearing gold and purple beyond the next season, he better be quick to translate his social media confidence on the court. What do you think?