Lakers 2015-16 Season Roster Grades: D’Angelo Russell

D’Angelo Russell has had a pretty impressive season considering the inherent obstacles that he has had to overcome as a rookie. Playing in Kobe Bryant’s last season under Byron Scott certainly did not help his cause, but Russell found a way to improve his game and flash glimpses of what he could become as the season progressed.

For all his struggles throughout, not all fingers can be pointed at Scott and Bryant. Though situated in an unenviable environment, Russell certainly had faults of his own. There were times throughout the season when Russell failed to be more aggressive on the offensive end despite having the opportunity to do so. After all, Russell is a rookie, and he showed it at several junctures of the season.

While passing may still be the best facet of his game, Russell’s game does not appear to fit the mold of a floor general like Chris Paul. Instead, D’Angelo appears to be a player whose facilitating abilities are predated by his scoring ability, a la Steph Curry or James Harden. Though Russell may never be as successful as those players, his game does draw comparisons due to his potential as a combo guard.

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All things considered, D’Angelo appears to be morphing into the player whom the Lakers envisioned when they decided to draft him a summer ago. Though he did seem to disappear on the court at times during the season, his potential and his inexperience warrant a benefit of the doubt. Despite not having an impressionable start to his career, D’Angelo Russell managed to end his first season strong.