Tag: D’Angelo Russell

D’Angelo Russell is applying lessons from Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant

Now as the offensive leader of the Golden State Warriors, D’Angelo Russell is implementing lessons he learned from Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul to his game.

D’Angelo Russell is already in his fifth season in the NBA at only 23-years old. Since being drafted second overall out of Ohio State in 2015, Russell bounced around to three different teams, playing with and against some of the best in the NBA.

Fast forward to 2019, Russell, now with Golden State, is the offensive igniter for Steve Kerr’s offense. Russell’s having to carry a majority of the load offensively with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson injured.
The struggling Warriors have lacked a closing option in tight games, yet, in the Warriors 106-102 win against the New Orleans Pelicans, Russell answered the bell.

Russell hit his final four shots that were all integral in the Warriors victory. With his last two shots, one tied the game, and the final gave his team the lead.

After the game Warriors center, Willie Cauley-Stein said Russell was setting up those late-game shots, with plays he made earlier in the game. Cauley-Stein told reporters his All-Star teammate was “playing a game within a game,” and Russell agreed.

Russell told reporters after the game, his performance in that situation came from the experience he’s gained over his career.

“Experience is key in this league,” said Russell. “I’ve been in positions where you’re down, and with 10-minutes left, you just see a player take over a game and just think it’s over as a young player.”

The one-time Ohio State Buckeye said he’s learned a lot from playing against future Hall of Fame-caliber players like Chris Paul.

“I just remember moments specifically playing against Chris Paul— he would pass and have a strategy for the first quarter, the second quarter was a different strategy, the fourth quarter was kind of his, and he remembered.”

After bringing up Paul, Russell gave a shoutout to his former Los Angeles Lakers teammate, Kobe Bryant.

“Also, I remember Kobe saying things like that as well— remember that shots going to be there at the end of the game, and stuff of that sort,” Russell said. “That’s just experience, honestly.”

Now with more experience and maturity, Russell is implementing lessons he’s learned from a pair of legendary players like Paul and Bryant to his game with the Warriors.

Russell is in a unique situation with Golden State, as his future with the team is still up in the air. Russell could be used as a trade chip over the offseason, or be the player to bridge the gap between Curry and the future.

If the 23-year old can continue to replicate even the slightest form of Bryant or Paul’s game, the Warriors will have no other option but to keep him for the significant future.