NBA Rookie Report and Predictions: D’Angelo Russell
By Matt Ziegler
With the second pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers selected D’Angelo Russell. Here’s what you can expect from him in Year 1
The Los Angeles Lakers were fresh off their worst finish in franchise history (21-61) when they were fortunate enough to receive the 2nd overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Most experts had already slated Karl-Anthony Towns as a lock to go No. 1 overall, but the teams picking 2, 3, and 4 had some decisions to make.
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D’Angelo Russell had wrapped up his lone season at Ohio State in which he averaged 19.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game while leading the Buckeyes to a tournament birth. A month later, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year declared for early entry into the 2015 NBA Draft.
The Lakers needed to consider Jahlil Okafor, Kristaps Porzingis, and Emmanuel Mudiay to completely cover their bases, but they made the correct decision in drafting D’Angelo Russell. The ceiling for Russell sees him developing into a player similar to James Harden. While his superstar potential is there, a player like him could also sway the other way and become a bust.
D’Angelo Russell was only the third Freshman all-time to average a 19/5/5 statline (Kenny Anderson and Danny Ainge are the others), but what can we expect from the young combo guard in his first season?
The 2014-15 Lakers found a diamond in the rough in the form of point guard Jordan Clarkson last season. Clarkson rode a 12/3/3 statline to First-Team All-Rookie honors, the first Laker to do so since Eddie Jones in 1995. As good as he played last year, expect D’Angelo Russell to be the starting point guard from day 1.
This is not to say that he will only play the 1 – Russell is very much a “combo guard” who could see as much success out of the shooting guard position.
Most likely, you will see D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, and the recently signed Lou Williams all play a little bit as the primary ballhandler. Each of them, along with Kobe Bryant and Nick Young, could also see time as the 2 guard. Due to lack of depth, you are also going to see Bryant and Young play as small forwards. For some teams, this “positionless” makeup is by design – the Lakers will be running this out of necessity.
Karl-Anthony Towns has a good shot at Rookie of the Year honors, but I personally believe D’Angelo Russell will be the winner. Kobe Bryant will continue to age, and his usage rate will reflect that. Clarkson will prove to be an able distributor and Williams will bring the occasional heat check, but none will be as consistent as Russell.
With that play in mind, and the Laker’s lack of depth, it is reasonable to expect the rookie guard to average 18 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game.
One of Russell’s largest strengths comes from the pick-and-roll, something he and Julius Randle will need time to perfect. With that play in mind, and the Lakers’ lack of depth, it is reasonable to expect the rookie guard to average 18 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. Towns brings better defense in his rookie campaign, but if these numbers become a reality, there will be no denying D’Angelo Russell is the Rookie of the Year.
He may not be a great defender right off the bat, which means he will fit in perfectly with this Laker outfit. Kidding aside, D’Angelo Russell has the length and quickness to be a good on-ball defender in a few years. He does not have the raw athleticism to be a real game changer on that end, like Towns may have, but he should be a plus defender by about his third year.
Offensively, expect to see D’Angelo Russell on Sportcenter’s Top-10 often – the passes he makes display a feel for the game well beyond his years. In both transition and the halfcourt, Russell functions as the engine of the offense. Where he cements his place as a ROY favorite is in his shooting. A deft passer already, he is able to hit shots from deep, assisting on pick-and-roll plays.
His passing ability opens up the shot, his shooting ability opens up more passing lanes…you can see where I am going here and why D’Angelo Russell is so dangerous.
Check out some of D’Angelo Russell’s best plays from college in the video below.