Koolaid_Man
12-13-2015, 03:12 PM
First off its looking like I may have been wrong about this kid...which is a good thing..unlike Juliet Randle he's responded very well to his benching...which could mean disaster for the league once he becomes confident.
Side note: Midnight_Pulp is shitting himself with D'Angelo's play as of late so you will notice how this OCD laced shit talker aint said shit about D'Angelo lately but rather only talking shit about Julius. He knows that D'Angelo's permanent breakout game likely came at the hands of the Spurs defense and its killing his ass to acknowledge this :lol
Now lets Dig into Russell's performance against the Spurs.
Over the last two games D'Angelo has been given the reins to the offense and posting a 33.9 usage rate as a result. He has also increased the percentage of his teammates baskets he assists on from 20.6% to 23.1%, baby steps towards becoming the playmaker the Lakers hope he can become.
He is creating a pace with two skills he has brought to the table since game one: rebounding, and the ability to ignite the fastbreak off of those rebounds. He pulled down six boards against the Spurs and used them to get the Lakers out in transition and quickly into their offense, like on the three plays in this gif:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/Koolbreezey/Mobile%20Uploads/Russell_pace.0_zpsh4qveh6v.gif
He also showed improved patience to make plays as well, such as this probing pick and roll below:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/Koolbreezey/Mobile%20Uploads/Russell_patience.0_zpsoaxu19ox.gif
Just as notable as Russell's still developing playmaking skills against the Spurs was his scoring, especially his three point shooting. Russell was also able to hit threes as a floor spacer a key talent he will continue to develop:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/Koolbreezey/Russell_spacing_1.0_zps7yf8aqci.gif
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/Koolbreezey/Russell_spacing_2.0_zpssoh1fy8h.gif
When players did respect his shot and tried to fight through screens, Russell was able to keep them on his back and punish the Spurs with his mid-range jumper (Russell is shooting 45.5% from the left elbow):
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/Koolbreezey/Russell_Mid_range.0_zpsq9ukagz3.gif
Or use the head start to find his way into the paint for a layup
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/Koolbreezey/Russell_Layup.0_zps96nzs1y4.gif
These are all good signs for the Lakers as we look to rebuild. Whats really going to be nice is when we get the #1 pick in the draft this year and the Spurs fail to win the title. It will all but mean we will be on the path to dominating them for yet another decade as Kiwi and Lamarsha will be the lone two losers trying in vain to keep that sinking ship afloat. :lol
Side note: Midnight_Pulp is shitting himself with D'Angelo's play as of late so you will notice how this OCD laced shit talker aint said shit about D'Angelo lately but rather only talking shit about Julius. He knows that D'Angelo's permanent breakout game likely came at the hands of the Spurs defense and its killing his ass to acknowledge this :lol
Now lets Dig into Russell's performance against the Spurs.
Over the last two games D'Angelo has been given the reins to the offense and posting a 33.9 usage rate as a result. He has also increased the percentage of his teammates baskets he assists on from 20.6% to 23.1%, baby steps towards becoming the playmaker the Lakers hope he can become.
He is creating a pace with two skills he has brought to the table since game one: rebounding, and the ability to ignite the fastbreak off of those rebounds. He pulled down six boards against the Spurs and used them to get the Lakers out in transition and quickly into their offense, like on the three plays in this gif:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/Koolbreezey/Mobile%20Uploads/Russell_pace.0_zpsh4qveh6v.gif
He also showed improved patience to make plays as well, such as this probing pick and roll below:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/Koolbreezey/Mobile%20Uploads/Russell_patience.0_zpsoaxu19ox.gif
Just as notable as Russell's still developing playmaking skills against the Spurs was his scoring, especially his three point shooting. Russell was also able to hit threes as a floor spacer a key talent he will continue to develop:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/Koolbreezey/Russell_spacing_1.0_zps7yf8aqci.gif
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/Koolbreezey/Russell_spacing_2.0_zpssoh1fy8h.gif
When players did respect his shot and tried to fight through screens, Russell was able to keep them on his back and punish the Spurs with his mid-range jumper (Russell is shooting 45.5% from the left elbow):
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/Koolbreezey/Russell_Mid_range.0_zpsq9ukagz3.gif
Or use the head start to find his way into the paint for a layup
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/Koolbreezey/Russell_Layup.0_zps96nzs1y4.gif
These are all good signs for the Lakers as we look to rebuild. Whats really going to be nice is when we get the #1 pick in the draft this year and the Spurs fail to win the title. It will all but mean we will be on the path to dominating them for yet another decade as Kiwi and Lamarsha will be the lone two losers trying in vain to keep that sinking ship afloat. :lol