D’Angelo Russell is the handcuffed Lakers playoff performer who needs to step up this season the most. Russell failed to match his regular season numbers for a second consecutive year in the playoffs last season. About to enter his third season with the Lakers, will this be the year that he churns out a complete season? Here is why his play is more important to the Lakers’ overall success than many believe it to be.
Handcuffed Lakers Playoff Performer Is Their Chief Role Supporter
D’Angelo Russell Has Underwhelmed as a Playoff Performer
Scoff, deride, sneer—the Lakers chief role supporter who comes in first place as the next, next most important player on the Los Angeles Lakers roster is Russell. Your scoffing is legitimate, to a point, if the conversation revolves around playoff performance. Russell has endured two consecutive regrettable playoff showings since rejoining the Lakers two seasons ago in a trade deadline deal. His underperformance has been unwatchable.
Yet, there is still plausible cause to point at Russell as the most crucial piece of the Lakers player puzzle behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He is even more critical than Austin Reaves.
Why Russell & Not Reaves?
Reaves is expected to take a huge jump in usage this season. This storyline derives from JJ Redick‘s plans for the shooting guard entering his fourth season. As good as Reaves is now, his impact is not equal to Russell’s because Russell is the ultimate swing factor. Although, in his case, his swing needs to translate from a regular season performer to a playoff performer.
Apart from LeBron and AD, the Lakers do not currently possess a pure scorer (no shade to Reaves, but he’s not a pure scorer). Russell, while ever so frustratingly streaky, still holds the willpower to run extremely hot or extremely cold. Hitting five threes in a row is nothing for Russell. Of course, missing five threes in a row is nothing for Russell. Russell has a beautiful long-range toss and can pull up from near Steph Curry range. His offense is superior to Reaves in that his range is almost untamed, and his three-point shooting can absolutely make or break a game. That is why he is the Lakers best offensive weapon, not named LeBron or Davis. That is also why Russell is the Lakers number-one swing factor. Turning into a playoff performer for the Lakers will play a big story this year.
Reaves is Very Good, but Falls a Little Short
Reaves, on the other hand, doesn’t yet possess that ability. While he can shoot from three (36.5 % career), his strength lies more in getting to the basket. He’s not yet at the point where he alone will keep the Lakers in a game if Davis or James are off, whereas Russell can if he’s on target. His bag, as it were, is deeper than Reaves at their respective career points. During the regular season, Russell has worked well alongside LeBron and Davis. He’s also developed great chemistry with Reaves, which has helped Reaves in his development.
Russell + JJ = Change?
The Lakers hiring of Redick has positively impacted Russell. He told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that Redick’s hire was a major reason he opted into his player option. So, perhaps something will build from this relationship between player and coach and replicate a version of success on the court.
As great as LeBron and Davis are, and while Reaves has much to offer the Lakers, Russell brings the punch. He just has to pull his greatest punches in the playoffs. Maybe Redick can help alter his Lakers course, turning Russell into a playoff performer for the Lakers this upcoming season.
