D’Angelo Russell had an up-and-down game
It is very plain to see why some fans would love to see this guy in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform. This guy is smooth. I mean Shea butter spread over ice smooth. When he figures out the NBA game, this guy is going to be great NBA point guard.
Russell practically matched his output from the East coast scoring 21 points and dropping 13 dimes and stealing the ball 3 times. He is the first Net to have three straight 20 point and 10 assist games since 1993-94.
The man has great court vision to set up his teammates.
Plus he is a fearless shooter. He turned it on the final quarter and hit a dagger in the Staples Center just like he did in Brooklyn seemingly at the same spot.
But you could also see flashes of some of the reasons why Magic Johnson needed to let him go. D’Angelo Russell came out with the agenda to embarrass the Lakers and it cost him at times in this game. First he got in early foul trouble in the first half and continued to make silly plays and commit fouls in the second half. His six turnovers kept the game close for the Lakers.
He made it personal and it almost cost the Nets. The game was a lot closer than it should have been. Instead of just playing his game, he wanted to make a point to everybody in the building.
Plus the potential for D’Angelo Russell’s greatness was nourished by the leadership of Kenny Atkinson and the steady play of Spencer Dinwiddie which allows Russell to do his thing. Its an environment that the Los Angeles Lakers would not have been able to provide.
Finally…
The Lakers are going to have to start playing with some defensive discipline going into next year. There is no way this team can allow Joe Harris to have open shots. You know…
The guy that has the highest 3 point shooting percentage in the NBA…
The guy that beat Stephen Curry in the 3 point shootout during All-Star weekend…
The guy that hit his first six 3 point shots in this game. I mean only so much can be put on Luke Walton folks. When does basketball I.Q. kick in? Quietly Harris scored 26 points on only 15 shots and some of them were wide open.
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.