While Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James decries narrative-driven NBA storylines, a couple of his teammates are content to use the media as a medium to air their dirty laundry.
It started with D’Angelo Russell.
Russell’s play since being placed in trade rumors has led to a newfound respect for his talents. No stranger to podcasts, Russell’s gone public with his feelings about being used in a complementary role. A couple of weeks ago, he was riding the high of a string of pearl performances. At that time, the former No. 2 pick claimed that his ability to communicate with Darvin Ham was limited by his coach’s longstanding relationship with Dennis Schroder. Not stopping there, Russell tried to go low with his former teammate.
Reggie Bullock Takes Aim at Spencer Dinwiddie Dig
Now, veteran Spencer Dinwiddie —signed by the Lakers on Feb. 12 —has taken to media sessions to discuss his time with the Brooklyn Nets.
His frustrations with his role with the franchise were well-known. The tension may have even been a primary motivation in him being traded. Yet, while now free from Brooklyn, Dinwiddie can’t stop talking about the past.
This week, the 30-year-old revealed that Nets former head coach Jacque Vaughn instructed him not to run pick-and-rolls or isolations. The problem with that isn’t just that he’s focused too much on creating narratives. It’s also that a team-high 16.9 percent of his offensive possessions were isolation attempts while he was in Brooklyn. A team-high 33.4 percent of his offensive possessions came as a pick-and-roll ball-handler.
Last week, he compared his role in Brooklyn to that of Houston Rockets veteran Reggie Bullock. It’s this comment that seemed more unnecessary than most. A 3-point specialist who does his job well, he’s been unproblematic since being drafted. In fact, Bullock has been an advocate for LGBTQ rights since the murder of his sister in 2014. A first-round pick in 2013, the 33-year-old has played for seven teams, knocking down 874 career 3s on 38.5 percent shooting from deep.
The dig didn’t go unnoticed.
Bullock, taking offense to the shot by Dinwiddie, responded on Instagram (h/t Fadeaway World’s Vishwesha Kumar):
“My role fed my family for 11 years, and [counting]! The glory of playing in paradise ain’t always sweet king.
Now go perfect my role and keep [y’all] seed.”
Bullock has made $53 million in career earnings. The Rockets, on fire since star center Alperen Sengun went down, are 3.5 games behind the Lakers in the Western Conference standings. To Bullock’s last comment, with the Lakers ninth in the West, they may be bound for the Play-In Tournament. The Rockets, should they overtake the Golden State Warriors to be 10th in the West, could very well meet L.A. in the Play-In.
The Last Word on the Lakers
Dinwiddie has averaged 6.3 points and 2.9 assists per game since joining the Lakers, shooting 38.0 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from 3. However, while he hasn’t played particularly well overall, he had a noteworthy performance against the Indiana Pacers on Mar. 24. Starting in place of the under-the-weather Russell, Dinwiddie recorded 26 points, five assists, two blocks, and a steal while shooting 72.7 percent from the field.
The last word on Dinwiddie, Russell, and the Lakers, is they should heed James’ words. They have big fish to fry, not beef.
