The Lakers therefore saw their adventure come to an end in the conference final, against Denver. Despite the adjustment of Darvin Ham, who released D’Angelo Russell of the starting five for Game 4.
A choice that the leader of the Lakers admits having had trouble digesting.
” It was hard. It was hard to agree, obviously.” acknowledged D’Angelo Russell. “But in a short period of time, you didn’t have to distract my teammates and everyone else, and that’s when I knew that you had to be professional, that you didn’t have to be a distraction at this stage of the season… That’s how I did it. I wanted to be professional and try to maximize my minutes, when there were some for me..
If the player was injured in his ego, the choice of Darvin Ham is not surprising at all, as the leader / rear of the Lakers was in big trouble on this series. Not known for his defense, he was notably targeted defensively by Denver players. Moreover, in attack, his contribution was close to nil. On the series, he posted terrible averages of 6.3 points and 3.5 assists at 32.3% shooting including 13.3% at 3-pointers…
A successful season
D’Angelo Russell was among the many pieces that arrived at the trade deadline as part of the transfer of Russell Westbrook. By then, the Lakers were 13th in the West in mid-February, heading into a season without the playoffs, and even without the play-ins. The reconstruction was nevertheless an immediate success.
Consequences ? The Lakers finished the regular season on a cannonball to snatch 7th place in the West. In play-in, they overcame Wolves before going through two playoff rounds, taking out the Grizzlies and Warriors to go to the conference final. A scenario that no one imagined a few months ago…
“Honestly, it was a total success, a great experience” repeated D’Angelo Russell. “Coming back and being in that position, as prepared as I was. I congratulated myself that I was able to adapt and jump into the heat of the moment with the team and try to find solutions quickly to reach the Western Conference Finals. It is a total success. Really can’t complain about anything other than the ball didn’t go in at times when I wanted it to, but other than that I enjoyed my time here”.
Arrived from Minnesota, D’Angelo Russell was an important player in this rise in the standings and qualification for the playoffs, thanks to his outside shot which helped the “spacing” around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The problem is that the series against Denver recalled its rather characteristic inconstancy.
Back to the Lakers next season?
An “unprotected” free agent this summer, the 27-year-old would in any case like to stay in Los Angeles and build on a full season. An additional file to manage for Rob Pelinka, while the signings of Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura seem to be the priority of the Californian GM.
“We had success from the start, when I arrived here, without having had time to have an offseason together and to gain confidence in our system. With the guys we have, everything fell into place immediately, so that’s obviously positive.” concluded D’Angelo Russell. “I would love to have the opportunity to see what it looks like with a full training camp, but it’s a business, it’s the NBA, so we’ll see what opportunity comes up and I’ll obviously make the best choice for me”.
| D’Angelo Russell | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2015-16 | ALL | 80 | 28 | 41.0 | 35.1 | 73.7 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 3.3 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 0.2 | 13.2 |
| 2016-17 | ALL | 63 | 29 | 40.5 | 35.2 | 78.2 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.8 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 15.6 |
| 2017-18 | BRK | 48 | 26 | 41.4 | 32.4 | 74.0 | 0.6 | 3.3 | 3.9 | 5.2 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 3.1 | 0.4 | 15.5 |
| 2018-19 | BRK | 81 | 30 | 43.4 | 36.9 | 78.0 | 0.7 | 3.2 | 3.9 | 7.0 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 0.3 | 21.1 |
| 2019-20 * | All Teams | 45 | 32 | 42.6 | 36.7 | 80.9 | 0.4 | 3.6 | 3.9 | 6.3 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 23.1 |
| 2019-20 * | GOS | 33 | 32 | 43.0 | 37.4 | 78.5 | 0.4 | 3.3 | 3.7 | 6.2 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 0.3 | 23.6 |
| 2019-20 * | MIN | 12 | 33 | 41.2 | 34.5 | 87.3 | 0.3 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 6.6 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 3.8 | 0.3 | 21.7 |
| 2020-21 | MIN | 42 | 29 | 43.1 | 38.7 | 76.5 | 0.4 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 5.8 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 19.0 |
| 2021-22 | MIN | 65 | 32 | 41.1 | 34.0 | 82.5 | 0.4 | 2.9 | 3.3 | 7.1 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 18.1 |
| 2022-23 * | All Teams | 71 | 33 | 46.9 | 39.6 | 82.9 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 6.2 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 17.8 |
| 2022-23 * | MIN | 54 | 33 | 46.5 | 39.1 | 85.6 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 3.1 | 6.2 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 17.9 |
| 2022-23 * | ALL | 17 | 31 | 48.4 | 41.4 | 73.5 | 0.4 | 2.5 | 2.9 | 6.1 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 17.4 |
| Total | 495 | 30 | 42.6 | 36.2 | 78.8 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 5.7 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 17.7 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
