There has been a lot of handwringing over the Lakers’ offense. I know, I have been doing it myself. And while I stand by my criticisms of how the team’s worst tendencies have been too present to start the season, we are beginning to see a slight shift in how the team attacks. Since the […]
D'Angelo Russell
Watch: A Different Type of D’Angelo Russell Assist
Earlier this week we covered the type of offensive set which has too often been representative of what the Lakers do on that side of the ball. The slow developing, non-attacking, late clock, long jumper producing set is symbolic of all that can be wrong with how the Lakers operate offensively. The hope, of course, […]
D’Angelo Russell, All Analytics Everything
D’Angelo Russell made his return from a bruised glute in Thursday’s win over Maccabi Haifa and promptly put on a passing clinic. He dropped 11 dimes, several of them of the “whoa, nice look” variety which get fans out of their seats and teammates anxious to start cutting harder and working to come off screens […]
So, these Young Guys Can Play A Little
I’m all for tempering expectations when it comes to young players. Being successful is hard in the NBA. Being successful when you’re not yet even 21 years old is even harder. Players this young not only need to physically mature, but they need to figure out how the strengths they do possess translate to playing against […]
D’Angelo Russell Joins Evening Practice After Bone Bruise in Session One
As is his norm, Byron Scott has been putting the Lakers through rigorous training camps in these opening days. The first practice of camp when over three hours while days two and three both offered two workouts each. The team seems to be responding well, drawing praise from Scott after all the sessions for their […]
One Player, One Skill: D’Angelo Russell, Pull-Up Shooting
As part of a new series here at Forum Blue & Gold, we’re examining a single skill to keep an eye on with players this season. It could be their best quality or an aspect of their game that, if successful, will help the most. The two sound similar, but aren’t exactly the same. For […]
Wednesday Reading: D’Angelo Russell, the Next Great Laker?
With any high-ish draft pick comes a certain amount of expectations. Throw around the term “lottery pick” and suddenly the thought process turns to “this guy should be pretty good”. Jump into the top five or into the top two, and the player is expected to be able to alter the course of a franchise. […]
Byron Scott Will Need to Live Up to his Reputation
Among a large sect of Lakers’ fans, Byron Scott is not held in the highest of regards as a coach. The former Showtime shooting guard is absolutely revered as a former great player who helped the team capture three championships as Magic’s backcourt mate, but when it comes to stewarding the ship from the sideline […]
Lakers’ Young Players Will Need More than Mentoring from Kobe
When Kobe Bryant has been discussed in relation to the Lakers’ recent draft picks and young talent, the word mentor is one of the first words likely spoken. During summer league, announcers consistently spoke about how much D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle could learn from Kobe — a process that, for Randle already began last […]
Watch: D’Angelo Russell Gets Hot in Vegas
If you listen to D’Angelo Russell talk, he will mostly discuss ways he needs to improve. He’ll talk about needing to get stronger, cut down on his turnovers, pay more attention defensively, and on and on. He understands he’s young, is a work in progress, and that he did not have his best showing in […]