When players are compared to all-time greats, all logic about what they actually bring to the table is thrown out the window. It's a fact that Los Angeles Lakers fans are as familiar with as any, primarily due to the sheer number of all-time greats who have donned the purple and gold.
Unfortunately, the shoe is now on the other foot—and one of the top Lakers players is facing the wrath of an unforgiving online community of basketball fans.
D'Angelo Russell is navigating an offseason in which trade rumors have been incessant and his days in Los Angeles could be numbered. With the negative noise drowning out any positive thoughts, Russell has taken to social media to defend himself.
In a now deleted post on X, Russell, "Humbly," agreed with a statement that he can take over from beyond the arc just like Stephen Curry did at the Olympics.
DLo 👀 pic.twitter.com/fs0UxJdJTo
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 12, 2024
No one is able to do the things that Curry does, but the immediate response to Russell's post has completely underrated how great of a shooter he is—a consistent theme this offseason.
D'Angelo Russell might not be Stephen Curry, but he's an elite shooter
Russell finished the 2023-24 season with averages of 18.0 points, 6.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 3.0 three-point field goals made per game. He did so while shooting 45.6 percent from the field, 41.5 percent from beyond the arc, and 82.8 percent at the free throw line.
Russell also set the Lakers' franchise record with 226 three-point field goals made and ranked in the top 20 in the NBA in conversions per game.
Furthermore, Russell was the only player in the NBA to average at least 18.0 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.0 three-point field goals made on 40.0 percent shooting or better from beyond the arc. There's more to it than statistics, but that's a feat unto itself.
As such, it shouldn't be a laughable statement that Russell can get as hot from distance as just about anyone in the NBA—Curry aside.
As the Lakers prepare for the 2024-25 season, this should be kept in mind as they debate the best course of action as far as Russell's Los Angeles future is concerned. There's clearly a desire to improve, whether stylistically or talent-wise, but that's easier said than done.
If it's agreed upon that no one is quite on the Curry level as a three-point shooter, then having one of the few players who even begins to come close should be valued appropriately.
This isn't to say that there aren't better options out there, including those who may not be as proficient as shooters but excel in other areas. Writing Russell off before a trade can even be made, however, is a recipe for disaster.
Believing in his abilities and producing at a top-tier level as a shooter shouldn't render Russell a villain in a profession that's all about confidence.