Who knew D’Angelo Russell would ship the most effective second from Lakers media day?
The good cash Monday in all probability would’ve been wager on LeBron James speaking about taking part in along with his son, Bronny. Possibly you’d have splashed some down on Anthony Davis speaking about making an attempt to win his first defensive participant of the 12 months or Austin Reaves flattening some wild offseason rumor a few beef with Travis Kelce.
As a substitute, it was Russell, the Lakers’ level guard, who strode to the microphone in the course of the media-day lineup with the right punchline.
“Surprise surprise,” he stated to reporters — a reminder that perhaps not everybody anticipated he’d be again for the event.
For all of what Russell is and has been, Monday was presumably his most self-aware, poking enjoyable at his frequent stints on the commerce block, proudly owning his supreme confidence on the offensive finish and his struggles on the opposite aspect of the courtroom.
He even, unsolicited, apologized.
“Honestly, I really want to apologize in the sense of showing a lack of professionalism at times. Showing a lack of team-first perception at times,” he stated. “So for me, just keeping that maturity and that professionalism throughout the year no matter the ups and downs. Holding myself more accountable on the defensive end. Obviously, I know I’m capable. But when you get subbed out of the game for offensive-defensive possession, that shows where your trust is with your coach and your ability. So for me, just trying to gain that trust with coach defensively. And consistently, I’m going to show up every day, practice game preseason, whatever, knowing that coach has that trust in me as well.
“I think it will just continue into a successful season.”
That reply got here to a query about what a profession 12 months, one thing coach JJ Redick stated he thought Russell may need, may find yourself wanting like. Scoring by no means acquired talked about.
Basic supervisor Rob Pelinka and Redick have each spoken about getting the ball in Reaves’ arms extra. Gabe Vincent, who performed simply 11 video games final season, is a full-go for the beginning of camp Tuesday. Each imply Russell goes to need to contribute in numerous methods.
And Monday, he seemed like he really will get that.
Final season, Russell averaged 18 factors and 6.3 assists whereas making extra threes final season than every other Laker in franchise historical past. Nonetheless, after one other uneven playoff collection towards Denver, Russell appears dedicated to vary. Requested how, regardless of some athletic limitations, he may affect video games defensively, Russell regarded inward.
“Focus. Just focus,” he stated. “…I’m able to have a missed box out, a missed backdoor opportunity, a missed lapse like that which can cost a game. When you watch film, you see me having those plays a little more often. I’m trying to limit those plays with me so I can earn that trust to stay on the floor at the end of the games.”
Redick shocked folks final week when he stated Russell was the participant he in all probability spent probably the most time chatting with this summer season. And when Russell opted into his contract previous to the free company, folks with information of the choice stated conversations with Redick performed an element and added to his enthusiasm for a return.
“He’s going to have a major role on this team. I think the thing that DLo and I have talked about a lot is just like, ‘Let’s put you in a position to have a career year,’” Redick stated final week. “His mindset, his energy, the talk that he’s brought, the leadership that he’s brought when he’s been in the building, has been excellent. So I’m thrilled. Thrilled to be coaching DLo this season.”
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, heart, huddles with teammates Anthony Davis, left, and LeBron James throughout Recreation 4 of the playoff collection towards the Nuggets.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles)
The reward has mattered.
“He’s … harped on [how] my energy is kinda contagious,” he stated. “So just being a positive guy, a high-confidence guy, IQ guy. I think, I’m vocal. Me being vocal in the short time I’ve been here this summer, I think he kinda recognized it and harped on it a little more than normal. Just ‘keep that going. Continue that. We love to see that. We notice that.’ These kind words mean a lot to me because I’m not used to hearing those.”
Russell pointed to Redick’s group over the summer season as a purpose why issues have a “new” really feel across the Lakers’ facility, even when Russell is aware of he’s in all probability certain for an additional spherical of Commerce Machine rumors due to his $18.7 million contract that expires after this season.
“Definitely think since I’ve been back [with the Lakers starting in 2022], we’ve done an unbelievable job putting things together and kinda winging it a little bit,” Russell stated. “I think throughout that ‘winging it,’ we kinda knew where our flaws were. Obviously, rebounding and things like that can lose games, But it starts now in the summer with the structure you try to implement. Figuring out our last two minutes of the game, how we’re going to finish games. The sooner we can figure that out through the season, the better. And that comes with experience. I’m looking forward to having that experience going forward into the season with some of these familiar faces. Some of our guys who weren’t healthy last year are healthy.
“I like our group.”
