Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell had an up and down rookie season during which he struggled to adapt to the NBA and coach Byron Scott, but also showed flashes of brilliance and ice in his veins. Now, with Scott gone and Kobe Bryant lost to retirement, the pressure will be on Russell and the rest of the young Lakers to step up and prove their worth.
The Lakers have brought in player-friendly coach Luke Walton to connect with the young players and install a more open, up-tempo offense inspired by the Golden State Warriors, which should help Russell spread his wings a bit.