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Rookie Poll Released, Mixed Opinions on D’Angelo Russell

By Hannah Kulik

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Each year, NBA.com publishes the results of an extensive poll that surveys incoming rookies and reveals their views on a number of topics regarding their fellow first-year players in addition to the league in general.

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The results of the recent 2015 poll were enlightening, because the Los Angeles Lakers have three coveted rookies this year.

The item that received the most media attention was the fact that Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant, in that order, were chosen over LeBron James as the favorite player.

Durant and Bryant earned this honor despite missing most of last season, and, in Bryant’s case, most of the season before. More interesting, however, is the rookies’ view of one another.

It is easy to dismiss their opinions on the grounds that they are inexperienced and untested, so what do they know?

On the other hand, it bears remembering that these young players opposed one another in college and many played with and against each other in high school (league and championship games), tournaments, and international competitions.

One could argue that in many instances the rookies know one another better than anyone which gives them unique insight and perspective.

For D’Angelo Russell, the results of the poll were mixed and disappointing on the whole.

Mar 21, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard D’Angelo Russell (0) shoots the basketball against Arizona Wildcats center Kaleb Tarczewski (35) during the first half in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

A lot of people were shocked when the Lakers selected Russell over center Jahlil Okafor. Those who were disappointed took some solace in hearing loud cheers in the audience when Russell’s name was called at the 2015 NBA draft.

Following the draft, Lakers’ management said that Russell was a combination of Magic Johnson and Stephen Curry, an assessment they have since retracted.

Most of the media complimented the Lakers on a bold move. Just when it appeared like it was a good decision after all, the Summer League debacle happened.

Russell, 19, looked like a player who was not NBA-ready at his best and like a player who was too slow and not athletic enough to play point guard in the modern league at his worse.

After Summer League concluded, the front office did its best to downplay Russell’s subpar performance with a variety of excuses. As the days and weeks passed, Russell’s reputation was somewhat resuscitated.

Laker fans were interested in seeing where Russell would rank after the poll results were published.

Although a variety of questions were asked, the two most important ones were rookie-of-the-year predictions and which rookie would have the best career.

Much to the Lakers’ chagrin, Okafor was voted the most likely to win rookie-of-the-year honors, and it came in a landslide.

Karl Anthony Towns may have been selected No. 1 in the draft but he was only voted third in that category. The surprising second choice was Stanley Johnson.

Jul 11, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) is fouled by Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) during an NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center. The Lakers won 68-60. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Russell was voted fifth, a surprise given the fact he was selected second in the draft.

Many experts predicted that Okafor would be the most NBA-ready player coming into the league, perhaps it was not surprising that the rookies chose him as their favorite for ROY.

The more important category was who would have the best career. The Lakers have repeatedly said that Okafor might make more of an immediate impact, but Russell will have the better long-term career.

Unfortunately for the Lakers, Russell’s fellow rookies disagreed. The resounding response was that Okafor would have the best NBA career, and won by a respectable margin.

Towns came in second, followed by Dallas Maverick Justin Anderson, Denver Nugget Emmanuel Mudiay, Johnson of the Detroit Pistons and Houston Rocket Sam Dekker.

As for Russell, shockingly, he didn’t make the list. Particularly deflating for Laker fans is that Mudiay, another point guard, is projected to have a better rookie season and a better career than Russell.

Russell did fare better in some of the more minor categories. He was voted the best playmaker and the third funniest rookie.

The latter category seemed a bit odd for this kind of poll but perhaps having a good sense of humor will be important for Russell when facing what is expected to be another poor season for the Lakers.

ESPN recently projected the Lakers to win 26 games and rank 14th out of 15 Western Conference teams.

Larry Nance Jr., the Lakers’ other first round selection, did not make any of the lists. Much of the media was dismayed when the team chose Nance Jr. and bypassed players such as Joseph Young and RJ Hunter, who were still available.

Mar 31, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Stanford Cardinal guard/forward Anthony Brown (21) reacts to his three point basket during the first half against the Old Dominion Monarchs in the semifinals of the 2015 NIT college basketball tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The rookies think the Lakers made a big mistake too. Young and Hunter were voted the two biggest steals in the draft. Hunter was also recognized as the third best shooter.

There was good news in relation to the Lakers’ third selection, small forward Anthony Brown. He plays the team’s weakest position and one the Lakers have all but ignored this summer.

Brown did not make much of an impression in Summer League, and it is unclear whether he will start the season on the roster or in the D-League.

However, Brown’s peers voted him as the fourth best shooter and the sixth best defender of the rookie class. Those are two areas the Lakers are weak, and it would indeed be a pleasant surprise if Brown was able to live up to the confidence his fellow rookies have in him.

With the exception of a few holdovers from last year’s squad, the Lakers’ roster for the 2015-16 season is filled with new faces. Three of those players are rookies Russell, Nance Jr., and Brown.

They will all be given a chance to prove their worth, but head coach Byron Scott does not favor rookies. Nance Jr. and Brown, in particular, will have to make a big impression and see how much playing time they can get early in the season if any.

As for the recent rookie poll, the results seem to suggest that Russell is a bit overrated, Brown is a bit underrated, and Nance Jr. is a non-factor.

Whether this assessment turns out to be accurate remains to be seen as answers will start to develop when training camp opens which is just over a month from now.

The Lakers took a huge risk, at a precarious moment in team history, by gambling on Russell and turning their back on a dominant, skilled big man like Okafor who reportedly dreamed his whole life of playing for the Lakers.

If it turns out the rookies are correct in that Okafor has the best rookie season and the best career, it may be the death knell for the careers of general manager Mitch Kupchak, president of basketball operations Jim Buss, and Scott.

All three men have staked their reputations and the future of the franchise on their assessment that Russell is “the man.”

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