• D’Angelo Russell has his priorities in order for the 2023-24 season
• He predicted how the Lakers will play, citing on-court effort as their driver for success
• He’s cautiously optimistic based on the roster strength of the Lakers
D’Angelo Russell hoped to settle into the role of the Lakers’ starting point guard, but a tough end to the 2023 Playoffs has brought his role under question. The Lakers continued believing in him and re-signed him this summer, along with various other moves.
With the roster the Lakers have, Russell is optimistic about the ceiling of the team, provided they can remain locked in and have the right mentality throughout the season.
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“I have no idea. I know we got a lot of bodies, though. So trying to give the team what it needs every night to win, I think that’s gotta be our focus. Whatever or however it gets done, if everybody is locked into just giving the team what it needs that night. That night might be scoring, the next night might be eight assists, the next night might be all passes because they ran you off and you made the one more to Austin Reaves in the corner, he’s hitting. It’s gotta be the right play, right mentality type of energy for our group because anybody can do it. He can throw any five out there and get it done. But if we’re all committed to that I think the sky is the limit for the group, honestly.”
Russell averaged 17.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in 17 games with the Lakers during the regular season and was crucial in their climb up to the seventh seed.
Unfortunately, his numbers dipped to 13.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in the playoffs and have brought his status under question.
Will D’Angelo Russell Start?
The Lakers have brought in Gabe Vincent as competition for the starting point guard role. Vincent’s defense could be better for the team’s on-court fit, as we saw in the playoffs, with Dennis Schroder starting ahead of Russell.
Russell likely begins the season as their starter, but if he cannot find an offensive rhythm, he’ll be under threat from Vincent. Defense will also be crucial as Darvin Ham recognizes defensive effort while selecting his lineups. Vincent has proven defensive upside, though Russell did show flashes of good defense last season.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis will be the primary scoring options, so Russell will need to figure out how to share tertiary scoring responsibilities with Austin Reaves while hoping his production is solid enough to stay ahead of Vincent in the pecking order.
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