LeBron James? Teammate Locked in As He Faces His Former Team in the Play-In Tournament: ?They?re in the Way of What We?re Trying to Get Done?

The Los Angeles Lakers managed to turn their season around just in the nick of time. The injury to LeBron James seemed like the last nail in the coffin for the Lakers? playoff hopes. However, other players managed step up to hold down the fort and push the Lakers? season record to be able to compete in this year?s play-in tournament. In the meantime, one of LeBron James’ Lakers teammate recently addressed the topic of avenging his former team in the play-in tournament.

Since the Lakers made changes to their roster around the trade deadline, the team has witnessed a different energy in the locker room altogether. Players like Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura, and Austin Reaves have all been great in the absence of James.

Lakers star addresses going against former team in the play-ins

One player who should get credit for the Lakers? season turnaround is the recently added D?Angelo Russell. Russell was part of a three-team, eight-player swap that sent Russell Westbrook to the LA Clippers.

People at first called the trade a big mistake given what Westbrook was able to bring to the team. However, Russell has easily exceeded his expectations and given the Lakers what they needed the most.

Recently, D?Angelo Russell sat down with the media to answer some questions. The first question that was asked was how he felt about facing his former team, the Minnesota Timberwolves in the play-in tournament.

?D?Lo? seemed like he was locked in for the encounter despite dismissing harboring any hard feelings against his former team. When asked about facing his former team, the 6?4 point guard said, ?Not the fact that they traded me but the fact that they are in the way of what we?re trying to get done. That?s all that really matters to me.?

Russell went on to talk about preparing mentally for the game against the Timberwolves as it matters a lot.?

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LeBron James and the Lakers certainly won the trade

The fact that D?Angelo Russell is locked in is great news for the Lakers.?The D?Angelo Russell trade worked wonders for the Lakers as he brought over the much-needed three-point shooting that the LA side needed. Apart from his shooting, Russell has been able to do everything that Westbrook did for the team but better.

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It surely will be a sight to see Russell lighting up his former team, the Minnesota Timberwolves. Let us know who you think will come out on top.