Lakers: Despite Progress, D’Angelo Russell’s Role Is Still Unclear

D’Angelo Russell is still trying to find his footing in the Lakers offense

Growing pains in the NBA cannot be understated, something Los Angeles Lakers rookie point guard D’Angelo Russell knows all too well this season.

Despite steady progress over the last several months, Russell remains in limbo within the Lakers’ offense, having been demoted to the bench 10 games ago and struggling with coach Byron Scott‘s offensive sets. Russell’s number have climbed each month as the Ohio State product has posted a respectable 13.9 points and 3.9 assists through the month of December. Nonetheless, Scott’s usage of Russell has continued to vary and the promising guard is still trying to find his footing.

After a Christmas Day defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers, Russell’s 16-point, seven-rebound performance was a bright spot and a pertinent topic of conversation after the Lakers guard went toe-to-toe with another point guard who spent his rookie year under coach Scott: Chris Paul.

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When the Lakers drafted Russell with the second-overall pick this summer, many begin mulling the limitless opportunities awaiting Russell and his gifted passing ability under the guidance of Scott, who had overseen the rookie development of Paul in New Orleans and Kyrie Irving in Cleveland. Both guards flourished as rookies under Scott and have gone on to have All-Star careers in the NBA.

Unfortunately, Russell hasn’t gotten the same treatment and has seemingly been yanked around the Lakers’ offensive game plan without rhyme or reason. The differences in Scott’s handling of Paul and Russell’s rookie campaigns were outlined in Mark Medina and Robert Morales’ piece in the LA Daily News.

After Paul won Rookie of the Year in the 2005-06 season, he credited Scott for allowing him the freedom to run the show in New Orleans, just letting him play. As Medina and Morales note, even before Russell was demoted to the bench, he was not given the same type of freedom in the Lakers offense. Russell sitting late in games only amplified the issue with Scott giving Russell the freedom he needs.

While Russell has admittedly not mastered the playbook like Paul did in his rookie year, his on-court progress is clear as day. Russell uncorked a series of highlight-worthy crossovers over the last week and seems decidedly more comfortable reading defenses with the ball in his hand.

Russell has even gotten the support of his teammates amidst skepticism from his coach. Kobe Bryant praised the rookie’s poise during the Lakers’ late comeback versus the Clippers, as noted by Mark Medina in the LA Daily News. “He took the challenge down the stretch defensively and found another gear with how to compete,” Bryant said. He then went a step further and argued that an extended role in the offense would bolster Russell’s development. “You have to go out there and continue to put the puzzle together,” Bryant said. “It’s just trial and error.”

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Yet, despite the uncertainty, Russell has more or less been saying all the right things. While initially bemoaning his move to the bench, the rookie has been able to find positive aspects of Scott’s lineup change. As Serena Winters notes, Russell has used the demotion as fuel, which has helped give him an edge:

It’s been somewhat of a rocky start, but there’s a lot of season left and Russell has both the time and skill to cement his role in the Lakers’ offense moving forward. Until then, we’ll have to take it on a game-by-game basis.