‘Surprise surprise:’ The stage is set for D’Angelo Russell’s career year

D’Angelo Russell attends Lakers media day at the UCLA Health Training Center. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Who knew D’Angelo Russell would deliver the best moment from Lakers media day?

The smart money Monday probably would’ve been bet on LeBron James talking about playing with his son, Bronny. Maybe you’d have splashed some down on Anthony Davis talking about trying to win his first defensive player of the year or Austin Reaves knocking down some wild offseason rumor about a beef with Travis Kelce.

Instead, it was Russell, the Lakers’ point guard, who strode to the microphone in the middle of the media-day lineup with the perfect punchline.

“Surprise surprise,” he said to reporters — a reminder that maybe not everyone expected he’d be back for the occasion.

For all of what Russell is and has been, Monday was possibly his most self-aware, poking fun at his frequent stints on the trade block, owning his supreme confidence on the offensive end and his struggles on the other side of the court.

He even, unsolicited, apologized.

Read more: Lakers star LeBron James rides momentum of ‘great summer’ into training camp

“Honestly, I really want to apologize in the sense of showing a lack of professionalism at times. Showing a lack of team-first perception at times,” he said. “So for me, just keeping that maturity and that professionalism throughout the year no matter the ups and downs. Holding myself more accountable on the defensive end. Obviously, I know I’m capable. But when you get subbed out of the game for offensive-defensive possession, that shows where your trust is with your coach and your ability. So for me, just trying to gain that trust with coach defensively. And consistently, I’m going to show up every day, practice game preseason, whatever, knowing that coach has that trust in me as well.

“I think it will just continue into a successful season.”

That answer came to a question about what a career year, something coach JJ Redick said he thought Russell might have, could end up looking like. Scoring never got mentioned.

General manager Rob Pelinka and Redick have both spoken about getting…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/surprise-surprise-stage-set-dangelo-015522047.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2024-10-01 01:55:22

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