flyerhawk
Well-Known Member
Russell was improving down the stretch last season playing the 2 opposite Clarkson (after the trade and the vets were benched), averaging 20/5
I'm not criticizing Russell or Ball. Unless the Lakers view Russell as a #2 or they think he is a dud and want to trade him, I just don't see how that backcourt would work. If you read the Ringer article they talk about how the Lakers are particularly vulnerable to a weak defensive backcourt because they don't have great rim protection. Having two guys in the back court that would have trouble guarding a lot of NBA PGs seems problematic.
There is also the fact that neither is really a high motor kinda player.