For the first time in a couple of years, Laker fans feel optimistic about the future of this franchise. Don’t get me wrong, there is still a lot of work to do, but yesterday’s draft was hopefully the beginning of something special.
The Lakers still have to hit it out of the park in free agency, but at least they have some good momentum going forward. It all start with selecting D’Angelo Russell with the number two overall pick. Mitch Kupchak and the Lakers feel the kid is a star and hopefully they are right.
Russell looks like he can be a great guard in this league and shows he’s hungry to learn from Kobe Bryant. He is not afraid of the big lights and Laker fans were very excited.
Some were happy about the pick, others were not. Regardless, Russell is a Laker and in Mitch we trust.
This is how Twitter reacted:
Magic Johnson
Laker Nation: Congrats to Mitch Kupchak, Jim and Jeannie Buss on drafting, who I think is a future superstar in D'Angelo Russell!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 25, 2015
Dick Vitale, ESPN
I agree with @BillPlaschke Lakers will go big in FREE AGENCY after drafting @Dloading. My feeling D'Angelo ROY! http://t.co/HdzbawtorQ
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) June 26, 2015
Cari Champion, ESPN
Safe to say we are excited! https://t.co/8jit68JDlR
— Cari Champion (@CariChampion) June 26, 2015
Colin Cowherd, ESPN
Russell, Kobe, Randle,,,,,Cousins? Interesting. #lakers
— Colin Cowherd (@ColinCowherd) June 26, 2015
Jay Williams, Former NBA Player
Looks like my sources were right on w/ D'Angelo Russell going 2 the @Lakers ... Lakers have to have an inside track on a big time big in FA.
— JayWilliams.ETH (@RealJayWilliams) June 25, 2015
Bill Plaschke, LA Times
Mitch Kupchak just rolled dice on Lakers future by passing up a big man who could have been their future...unreal..
— Bill Plaschke (@BillPlaschke) June 25, 2015
Seth Davis, CBS Sports
You think the Lakers did this just to screw the Sixers?
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) June 25, 2015
Skip Bayless, ESPN
Lakers just made an all-time bad mistake.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 25, 2015
Nick Young
Welcome to The Show Russell
— Nick Young (@NickSwagyPYoung) June 26, 2015
Bomani Jones, ESPN
and look at the lakers making the smart pick. that young man is a star.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) June 25, 2015
Zach Harper, CBS Sports
I love the Lakers going with Russell.
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) June 25, 2015
Chris Palmer, NBA
Russell, Randle, Clarkson could be very special.
— Chris Palmer (@ChrisPalmerNBA) June 25, 2015
Chris Mannix, Sports Illustrated
Russell is one of the best point guard prospects I've ever seen. He's a pure playmaker. His passing, it's high level NBA right now.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) June 25, 2015
Michael Smith, ESPN
D'Angelo Russell is gonna OWN LA. Got the game and the personality. Showtime back?
— Michael Smith (@michaelsmith) June 25, 2015
Lil Wayne
Let's go Russell!!!!!!! Lake show!!!!
— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) June 25, 2015
Kevin Ding, Bleacher Report
Lakers are sure about all that D’Angelo Russell is…and will be. Bottom line.
— KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) June 25, 2015