Lakers: D’Angelo Russell Is Ready to Take the League By Storm

It appears that D’Angelo Russell‘s “D-Loading” may almost be complete, as the Los Angeles Lakers seem to be priming him to take over as leader of the young team

Ever since being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers second overall, hopes for the D’Angelo Russell have been monumentally high.

Even prior to joining the team, comparisons of Stephen Curry and James Harden were being hurled his way, and he didn’t necessarily even seem to mind. However, after a roller coaster of a first season in the Association, Russell looks to get back on track and exceed those expectations.

Carrying over his strong play from Las Vegas Summer League where he averaged 21.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4 assists in about 31 minutes per game, Russell appears to be determined to prove that his Nevada showcase was no fluke. Dropping 21 points on 7-14 shooting against the Denver Nuggets just last Friday, Russell was back at it again on Sunday night.

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Starting off relatively quickly, D’Loading lit the Nuggets up again for 33 points on 13-of-19 shooting, including 4-of-7 from distance in only 32 minutes of play. Additionally, he limited his turnovers to only two in the entire contest, down from four and five in the previous two contests.

Similar to the story line in Vegas, where critics and fans alike proclaimed, “It’s only Summer League,” the new mantra will likely just substitute “Preseason” for “Summer League” and rightly so. Russell, however, acknowledges this, and is ready to make the most of his opportunities come the regular season.

With this in mind, it is not only on the offensive end of the floor that D’Lo is making strides. Though he has lapses at times, especially in the first game against the Sacramento Kings, Russell has shown that he is fully capable at keeping his man in front of him if he puts in the effort.

It is off ball that he still gets lost, but that will come with time and more familiarity with the defense as well as trust in his teammates.

The second year man spoke of a focus on defense during Media Day before training camp even started, and it’s apparent that both he and Jordan Clarkson plan on staying true to their word.

Backtracking, in regards to his offense, D’Angelo has continued to show growth in his ability to determine when to shoot the ball versus when to create for his teammates. And though his assist totals might not do him justice, Russell is benefiting the team in more ways than one.

Coach Luke Walton and the Lakers’ organization have made it increasingly apparent that the team is his for the taking, and he looks closer and closer to actualizing just this, sooner rather than later.

It’s not every day that you find a strong, young core who says that they are fully bought in to the coaching staff’s message and means it, on top of having a leader primed and ready to do just that.

Now if only we could get him a high-five.

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A new era of Lakers’ basketball is finally upon us and it is going to be so damn fun to watch.