D’Angelo Russell joined the Lakers when they were really struggling. The Lakers were nowhere near the top six of the Western Conference. They had a lot of issues with injuries and a lack of balance in the roster. The latter case was well taken care of with the February trades. Russell came to LA after spending four years with the Timberwolves. But Russell always had a soft corner for the Lakers as his NBA career started with this franchise. Like Reaves, Russell would like to stay with Purple and Gold for a long time.
However, as long as LeBron James and Anthony Davis are around, the Reaves-Russell pair won’t be in charge of the team. Albeit, at present, the Lakers are looking to keep moving forward in the season. After the February trades, the team looks better than ever. The Lakers narrowly missed the top-six finish this season. But the good news for the fans of the Lakers is they beat the Timberwolves at the Play-in round to make the first round of the playoffs.
D’Angelo Russell Hopes To Have A Better Chemistry With AD
The Lakers will next face the Grizzlies in Memphis. The fans are happy because the team has found its mojo in the four horsemen – LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, and D’Angelo Russell. However, in a recent interview, Russell pointed out a lack of chemistry with “the two high-level players” of the team. D’Lo said that James and Davis are so good that it takes him a bit of time to understand their style of play. Russell mentioned, “LeBron James is such a good passer that all I have to do is just play off of him.”
But he added that there is a need to get a little bit more understanding between D’Lo and Davis. The former Timberwolves man mentioned, “I’m a pick-and-roll guy, and so is AD. It will take a bit more time, but we will get our games in sync in time. Every time I play with James and Davis, I learn something more about the game.” D’Lo also explained why playing with AD and King James is so different. He mentioned, “I did not play with such big players in my time. Hence, it is taking time, but gradually, I’m getting it where AD wants the ball.”
The LA Fans Will Hope The Team To Go The Distance
The Lakers will need these four horsemen in sync when they embark on the playoff journey this season. There is a big possibility that this team might go the distance. The Lakers now look like they can beat any team on a given day. Other than Reaves, the rest of the four horsemen have missed several games due to injuries. LeBron James missed almost a month’s schedule with a tendon injury on his right foot last February.
Meanwhile, AD has missed as many as twenty games since last December due to a stress injury. D’Angelo Russell had sprained his ankle and missed several matches. Later, all these players returned to the lineup to spearhead the Lakers to the postseason, and now the playoffs await. The first-round series against the Timberwolves begins on Sunday.