Your new LA Laker: D'Angelo Russell

[bluepigpen]

Russell was a great pick. Okafor was the best pure low scoring threat in the draft but he is a 50% best FT shooter, nothing from 15 feet and the NBA game has changed. Russell brings vision, shooting, and speed to the Lakers where now get one of the three big men FAs and the Lakers are back. Just my opinion of course but they did it right this time.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Hey, it's not often I get to enjoy draft day as a Lakers fan.

 

[OutlawImmortal]

The only thing Clarkson is really missing is the vision of a true PG, with Russell, these two could end up being a deadly combination.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

The only thing Clarkson is really missing is the vision of a true PG, with Russell, these two could end up being a deadly combination.

Clarkson/Russell has me excited for the future

 

[TheSnowdog]

Clarkson still could be! Who is going to fill Kobe's spot once he retires in a year or so? This is thinking about the future.

A guard with court vision, a good scorer and shooter is better for the future than a big like Okafor who's terrible on D and a bad FT shooter.

First of all I think Lakers picking Russell is a great move on their part. I love Russell's game and wished he fell to the Sixers - not only because of his game but because the Sixers have aloaded front court and needed a shooter

With that being said I think too much is being made about Okafor's D and FT shooting but all team fans do it it seems - when a team picks a player as opposed to another player fans seem to want to trash that other player - I've seen it on numerous boards /shrug

Sixers coach Brett Brown is a defensive minded coach who has improved the Sixers defensively - yes the Sixers have been a bad team but they are improving and Brown should be able to improve Okafor defensively

Bottom line - I think both players - Russell and Okafor - are going to be beasts and the Lakers IMO are going to be back being a force if not this upcoming year then the following year - although with the Sixers holding the Lakers 2016 1st rounder I am hoping they have a down year this upcoming year

 

[Rambunctious]

There is a little bit of Magic in this one.

 

[LALakersboy24.7]

Risky, but great pick. Looks like we will get a big man in FA.

 

[Louie26]

First of all I think Lakers picking Russell is a great move on their part. I love Russell's game and wished he fell to the Sixers - not only because of his game but because the Sixers have aloaded front court and needed a shooter

With that being said I think too much is being made about Okafor's D and FT shooting but all team fans do it it seems - when a team picks a player as opposed to another player fans seem to want to trash that other player - I've seen it on numerous boards /shrug

Sixers coach Brett Brown is a defensive minded coach who has improved the Sixers defensively - yes the Sixers have been a bad team but they are improving and Brown should be able to improve Okafor defensively

Bottom line - I think both players - Russell and Okafor - are going to be beasts and the Lakers IMO are going to be back being a force if not this upcoming year then the following year - although with the Sixers holding the Lakers 2016 1st rounder I am hoping they have a down year this upcoming year

Great post!!

I think Okafor is a gonna be a great player and I agree, I think he could be a good defensive player given his coaching. Not sure it's about knowledge of it, he's not great laterally, might get him into trouble on the PnR.

But honestly, I think the Lakers just thought Russell brought more to the Lakers! Plus, we can land a FA big later, my guess that was part of the thought.

Best of luck to Okafor in Philly!!

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

I think Okafor will do fine in Philly. Plenty of competition for his spot so that should make him a better player.

But Russell fits in LA better than Okafor would. A guy who can learn a lot from Kobe and then hopefully fill his spot in the starting 5 when he retires.

 

[trojanfan12]

It's more likely that Russell will be the PG and Clarkson the SG. Although, they both have the ability to play both positions, so it really won't matter.

 

[Kold]

Guys, it's alright to disagree with the pick, but don't be dissappointed any means. Russell has GREAT vision, and he has a Steph Curry type pull up game from the anywhere on the court. We are going to reap the benefits on this pick, and we are going to get a free agent either this year, or in future years. The Lakers are slowly, but surely making their way back to title contention. It may take a couple years, or even a few...but give it time, we'll be back

 

[Louie26]

It's more likely that Russell will be the PG and Clarkson the SG. Although, they both have the ability to play both positions, so it really won't matter.

I would think that Russell is the better shooter, wouldn't he play the 2??

From NBADraft.net:

Shows good form on his shot and a quick release. Connecting at a good rate on shots at all 3 levels through the early part of the season ... Very good at running the pick-and-roll, well ahead of most guards at the same stage in that element ... Very good at creating shots in the midrange with a nasty handle, using crossovers and fakes to rock defenders off balance

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

A month ago we could have lost the pick to Philly.

Now we have Russell.

And people are disappointed?!?

 

[Retroram52]

Yea, I am warming up to this pick as we go. We now definitely have an excellent backcourt similar to the Dubs. The Lakers don't have to develop Jabari Brown to go with Clarkson. They can let Jabari develop at his own pace. They showed the progression of the Dubs development during the draft that took five years and we are doing the same thing.

 

[Kold]

I'll give u guys some time though. Once we see a summer league of Russell crossing someone and pulling up with relative EASE, we'll all be on board

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

I'll give u guys some time though. Once we see a summer league of Russell crossing someone and pulling up with relative EASE, we'll all be on board

Really looking forward to the summer league now. Don't really care about the score in the end, just like to see Clarkson, Russell and Randle play together.

 

[Retroram52]

I am getting there Kold.

 

[Kold]

Yea, I am warming up to this pick as we go. We now definitely have an excellent backcourt similar to the Dubs. The Lakers don't have to develop Jabari Brown to go with Clarkson. They can let Jabari develop at his own pace. They showed the progression of the Dubs development during the draft that took five years and we are doing the same thing.

Precisely. Golden St used to be an easy win for us back in the Kobe/Gasol era. They were a team that was just flashy...but over the years, Steph, and then Klay gained experience

 

[Retroram52]

Shaqdaddy, it'll be all of those guys and Tariq Black as well.

 

[Black Adam]

Guys, it's alright to disagree with the pick, but don't be dissappointed any means. Russell has GREAT vision, and he has a Steph Curry type pull up game from the anywhere on the court. We are going to reap the benefits on this pick, and we are going to get a free agent either this year, or in future years. The Lakers are slowly, but surely making their way back to title contention. It may take a couple years, or even a few...but give it time, we'll be back

NO one is hoping you're right more than I am right now...