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Lakers: D’Angelo Russell’s Rookie Year Compared to 5 Other Guards

By Cody Williams

Jan 7, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) calls out a play during the fourth quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 118-115. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) calls out a play during the fourth quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 118-115. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 14, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Team Westbrook legend Penny Hardaway (1) and Team Westbrook forward Tamika Catchings of the Indiana Fever (24, right) high-five during the 2015 NBA All Star Shooting Stars competition at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Team Westbrook legend Penny Hardaway (1) and Team Westbrook forward Tamika Catchings of the Indiana Fever (24, right) high-five during the 2015 NBA All Star Shooting Stars competition at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

D’Angelo Russell vs. Penny Hardaway

Hardaway’s Per-36 Minutes Averages: 15.7 points, 6.5 assists, 5.2 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 3.5 turnovers, 46.6 FG%, 26.7 3P%

One of the more prevalent pre-draft comparisons for Russell, largely due to his size and positioning as a sort of hybrid guard, was former Orlando Magic stud Penny Hardaway. While Penny may have been a bit bigger, both players both boasted tremendous versatility on offense and imposing size at the position coming into the NBA.

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    • In terms of overall efficiency and in terms of assist numbers, Hardaway was more productive than Russell has to this point. However, it’s also worth noting that Penny was 22 years old coming into the NBA and, oh yeah, also had the advantage of playing alongside one of the most impressive big men in the history of the NBA in Shaquille O’Neal.

    When it comes down to it, the presence of Shaq alongside Hardaway makes comparisons between he and Russell a bit hard to make. Though there is young talent around the Lakers rookie in regards to Randle, Larry Nance Jr., and even Jordan Clarkson, he doesn’t have a frontcourt counterpart that’s a transcendent talent in the way that Shaq was.

    However, it’s impressive for Russell that, even with less assistance around him, he’s been able to produced similarly to Penny. Despite not having anyone near the level of talent as Shaq on the Lakers with him and despite not starting every contest the way that Hardaway did, D’Angelo has still managed to find production in his rookie season that’s comparable to a player he was always going to be compared to.

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