NBA: Stars who will shine the brightest during the playoff push

D’Angelo Russell, Brooklyn Nets

Besides Brooklyn Nets fans, I don’t think anyone expected the Nets to have as good of a season as they are. They only have one person to thank for it though, and that is none other than D’Angelo Russell. At just 22 years old, D-Loading is taking Brooklyn above and beyond the expectations of just about everyone.

The Nets are 6th in the East and Russell is averaging new highs in points (20.2) and assists (6.7) per game. While these numbers may not be outstanding it’s the story beyond the young point guard and the Nets franchise that makes this season extraordinarily special. D’Angelo Russell was cast away by the Los Angeles Lakers the summer before the 2017-18 season. To make matters worse his destination was a sorry Nets team with no motivation nor leadership.

The Nets had been losing and losing for years due to an infamous trade made by the previous administrators that cost Brooklyn almost all of their near future draft picks. There wasn’t any hope for the Nets, until D’Angelo proved his worth, put Brooklyn on his back and is now showing LA and all his doubters that he has what it takes to help his team win. Russell made his first All-Star appearance this year and the Nets have a better record than the Lakers and a better playoff position.

Now the Nets are rebuilding faster than anyone had anticipated and Russell is blasting through the critics’ expectations, and it doesn’t stop here. Russell is still hungry and determined to prove himself and he is going to continue to perform at the rate that he has been for the remainder of the season.