The Los Angeles Lakers seem to finally be rounding into form. After a slow start to the season, the team is finally showing signs of life. Due to a 4-1 record in their last 5, there is new life in La La Land. However, the turning point for the season was a 34-point demolition by the Houston Rockets. Moreover, the trash talk from Dillon Brooks toward LeBron James made the humiliation even more severe. As a result, the team has come together in a big way. But their litmus test arrived in the form of another encounter with those same feisty Rockets.

Instead of LeBron or even Anthony Davis, however, Lakers legend James Worthy had a different X-factor for tonight’s game.

James Worthy expected polarizing star to come up big against the Rockets

Despite a lackluster performance in the playoffs, D’Angelo Russell made his way back to the City of Angels. Given the $54 million sum over his 2 years, the expectation, the belief was that Russell’s dip was an aberration.

So far to begin the year, he’s proving those claims to be true. Despite a rough first couple of games, D’Lo has come into his own over the last few games. And, it looks like the Lakers faithful are taking note. Speaking on his importance and impact,?Big Game?James gave D’Angelo his due credit.

“I just think he’s settled in…As a point guard, he kind of understands how to run a team, not afraid to take the big shot. And he’s done a great job. You look at his numbers versus the Trailblazers, last game. He’s shooting a high clip with 3-point and he’s dropping a lot of dimes. He’s very familiar with his teammates,”?Worthy said ahead of the matchup on Spectrum SportsNet.

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To give credence to those stats, his assist total over the last games is at 35. Simultaneously, his 3-point percentage is an insane 67% on high volume. If D’Lo can continue this form, the Lakers could quickly turn into a dangerous unit. Unfortunately for James Worthy, the game had a far different story.

LeBron James shines as Lakers outlast Rockets

It was a back-and-forth encounter throughout the night. After embarrassingly losing their previous matchup, the Lakers were ready from the get-go with AD back in the mix. However, Houston wasn’t going down with a fight.

Despite the Hall of Famer’s predictions, D’Lo had a rough night, as did most of LA. But it was the team’s two stars that carried the load on both ends, with the Austin Reaves ‘realignment’ working out perfectly. Davis fouling out late on a controversial call brought back memories of the 34-point demolition. However, the fourth quarter became a King James?masterclass.

Whether dunks, 3-pointers, fadeaways, or free throws, the 4x NBA Champion was everywhere. As the team notched its 6th victory in 7 games, the future is looking brighter by the day for the Lakers. With 2 rotation pieces still missing from the lineup, their return could further bolster this team.