Magic Johnson actually saved D’Angelo Russell’s career
D’Angelo Russell showed in his two years in Los Angeles that it was not going to work out. The distractions of Kobe Bryant’s retirement run with Byron Scott at the helm left him behind development wise by the time Luke Walton took over.
Plus, that other distraction that got him traded in the first place.
With the leaking reports of Walton not having the support of Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka, do you really think Russell could thrive in this environment? Umm…no.
In Brooklyn, the Nets have a stable front office with a vision. Sean Marks has led the front office doing a great job of creating a culture of competing and playing hard consistently ever night. With NBA coach of the year candidate Kenny Atkinson, Russell has had his chance to shine.
The Los Angeles Lakers front office is in total disarray that has done little to support Luke Walton, who will be out in about three weeks tops. Do you really think D’Angelo Russell would have been an All-Star under these circumstances?
So I’ll end it like this…
It is highly like that the Brooklyn Nets will beat the Lakers on Friday night. The Lakers have no shame at this point showing their tanking options while the Nets are battling for seeding in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Since the game will be on ESPN, the storyline will be about D’Angelo Russell and how well he is doing highlighted by the unbelievable performance against Sacramento. Then the subject will go to the question of Magic Johnson giving up on Russell too soon and drafting Lonzo Ball.
The comparisons of stats will be plenty.
Ignore them because they don’t matter. Magic Johnson made the right decision…
Plus the only decision.
The Los Angeles Lakers are now closing their long journey through the NBA season. Lake Show Life will be there every step of the way. Continue to check in for Lakers news, previews and reviews.