D'Angelo Russell Apologizes to Lakers for Past Unprofessionalism, Vows to Earn JJ Redick's Trust.

Among the most interesting aspects of Monday's Media Day was D'Angelo Russell, who proved again why while not the best player on the Lakers, hyee's in the running for most interesting, from a media standpoint.
He has a long history of candor, even when it doesn't serve him (and sometimes when it doesn't serve his team), and Monday was no exception. Russell started his time with an apology for periodic selfishness - the sorts of things where he didn't always seem to operate with a feel for the team's best interests. Not necessarily on the court, but as a leader and a veteran off it. This year, with new coach JJ Redick expressing his full support and saying he'd like to push Russell to a career season, Russell returned the favor by saying he wants to step up his game and earn his coach's trusts. First and foremost, that means defennse, and for Russell, that's a matter of focus.
But can he sharpen those skills enough after 10 years of bad habits (compounded by natural limitations by NBA standards)? Even if the intentions are good?
Meanwhile, Anthony Davis says he's not into analytics. Redick and his staff clearly are. And an interesting exchange Wednesday at practice is likely going to show again how many people don't understand the relationship between data, coaching and players.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: D'Angelo Russell says he's going to earn JJ Redick's trust.
SEGMENT 2: Can Russell change his habits after a decade in the league?
SEGMENT 3: AD, Redick and data.
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[@douglashairston7808]

You guys gave the best assessment of D-Lo I've heard from any sportscaster. I identify with D-Lo, because I too am high-strong emotionally. Over the course of my life, my emotions have often caused me to "get in my feelings", as kids would say, to the point that I've often lost focus on what's important. Because I feel things so strongly, I've been compelled to speak before I've considered the appropriateness or proper timing of what I've said. So, from one self-aware, but emotional guy to another, I'm rooting for D-Lo to have a very successful season under Redick's coaching.

[@rulesivy]

Who cares

[@douglashairston7808]

@@rulesivy(lol) Apparently you do. You care enough to comment. So, thank you for caring.

[@luedagangsta2645]

@@rulesivy I STG, I was finna type the same the bruh 😂😂😂

[@dennisknowles9293]

I can relate Bro😂

[@michaelbernabe9264]

Smart analytics 😮😅❤

[@BeckieG]

I am encouraged that DLo has not checked out yet and he’s actively engaging with the coaches, team, and fans. It would be so easy to just say f-it given all of the trade rumors and negative playoff talk.

[@LN-Lifer]

We keep focusing on DLO's apology but far and away more interesting was his comment about the lack of nice things said about him

[@NickHawaii]

D-Lo is super talented. I like him! Just a good guy. He will have his moments this season and in the playoffs.

[@LN-Lifer]

K-Bros give the most nuanced analysis (sometimes to a fault) of the Lakers It always amazes me how many viewers lock on (no pun intended) to one thing they say and then hear nothing else

[@_WEsTWooD]

The wildest thing about Schmitke and his “ Lo, no D” stuff is that Schmitke was a DLo stan last year 🤣🤣🤣

[@_WEsTWooD]

DLo standing around & missing box outs is one area I’ve highlighted on a few occasions..another one of those “ little things “ that add up. Things that make Reaves more valuable than DLo at the end of the day. Reaves is just far more willing to consistently do things like boxing out, hustling, winning 50/50 balls, setting screens, switching and battling big men for position, etc. Maybe it’s because DLo was drafted 2nd overall..maybe he feels like he doesn’t have to lock in and give max effort in every area of the game? He has that “ too cool for school “ style that never really wins championships in this league. Bruce Brown plays the opposite way, that’s why the Lakers tried like hell to sign him. Bruce Brown is willing to run through a brick wall every night

[@MrMadmach]

He loves the game. Always smiling. He needs to lock in

[@LN-Lifer]

There is a PART of DLO's "unprofessional" behavior that I actually admire No canned answers. Thoughtful answers (even if he goes a little off in his thoughts). He comes across as human instead of a robot Also Half the DLO haters would vanish if this team could just REBOUND Cause THAT is where we lose MOST games.

[@MrMadmach]

Welcome back guys

[@wmcuccia1356]

In DLo's interview, he sounded changed, mature, responsible, accountable, this could be huge. DLo 10% better, AR 10% better, Rui, Vanderbilt, Vincent, Hayes 10% better = big season. Health!

[@aDubOneLove]

I disagree with BK and I agree more with AK. The framing of “does he want it enough” isn’t simply physical. It refers to Dlo adopting the mentality to do the little things that can be the difference between a W and a L. Closing out on shots, boxing out on D, recognizing specific actions and being in position to prevent a defensive breakdown…. Those are all physical actions that are predicated on mentality which Dlo can control. Im keeping my real estate on Dlo island 😂

[@LockedOnLakers]

Sure - Like I said, it's part of it, but the exercise is different and much harder. Think about how long it takes to break bad habits in your daily life, and how many times people backslide, etc. So changing that sort of muscle memory on the floor to generate and keep awareness and focus is hard. "Want it" is integral to the process, but I think it's different than how people typically frame a "want it" type issue. Usually it just means try harder physically. Thanks for watching! BK

[@aDubOneLove]

@@LockedOnLakers respectfully I feel as though we’re splitting hairs here… Essentially you’re saying “wanting it badly enough” is usually seen as a physical thing but it requires a certain level of awareness and focus to be effective…. I’m disagreeing with the notion that it’s usually seen as a physical thing. A “want” is mental. If you want something badly enough, physical actions follow. So it can be seen as physical but it all stems from a mentality which I believe AK was referring to initially. Dlo can control his attitude, awareness, and his effort to implement better physical actions on the court. Haha we’re all basically saying the same thing in the end though. Thanks for commenting, I’m a long time fan 😁

[@jourdanzero9312]

my issue with dlo was never really about completely about his play. Guys are gonna miss shots and have bad games, the issue for me was his poor attitude at times and lack of accountability. Him sitting outside the huddle on his phone during a playoff game was where he completely lost me, but I was genuinely impressed that he actually came out and apologized. Takes a decent amount of self awareness and willingness to put ur ego aside. I’d be willing to fully embrace dlo as part of the team if he was serious about trying to change defensively. Nobody’s expects him to be 1st team all defense, but if he can just not get back cut or miss box outs like he said it would go a long way towards raising the ceiling of that starting lineup

[@N_Ides]

Hopefully, dlo can pull himself together long enough to get decent trade value in return.

[@lakersvenice1848]

D’lo uses his butt like a champ on offense. That same butt and length can make him a successful defender…gotta wanna.

[@_WEsTWooD]

Dennis Schroder plays like he wants it. Always plays hard..definitely has that competitive craze. You can’t be called Dennis “ the menace “ if you don’t

[@westsidesagg1519]

We can’t play Austin Reeves and D’Angelo Russell together that’s why Max Christie should start

[@luedagangsta2645]

Dlo son playing with bron son would be fire 🔥

[@_WEsTWooD]

😐

[@LN-Lifer]

I actually think AD's % will go UP if he takes 1-2 more threes per game But only 1-2 more

[@MrExBearPoker]

People throw D Lo under the buss because that keeps them from focusing on Reaves and his poor defense. As a matter fact he played better than Reaves last year. And on top of that struggled the same game Reaves struggled. As a matter of fact when they were down 12 points, it was Reaves who kept continuously getting worked for 7 of those 12 points. Nobody said a word about that, just start crying about D Lo. Yall better hope Reaves pan out.

[@dennisknowles9293]

3:18 I have some properties here in Nassau Bahamas for sale since this has become A SELLERS MARKET ANDY😂😂😂

[@wmcuccia1356]

Andy do you think DLo has the ability to be disruptive on defense with increased effort and concentration on the defensive end. I know he has the IQ.

[@bradmodd7856]

DLo is the Kanye of Basketball....his self belief and ability to lose the plot are legendary, it is up to the coach to know how to use him...people need to realise it is a feature of his game and not a flaw

[@DJJE928]

The best fan assessment I’ve seen of D’Lo I’ve seen probably. This makes so much sense.

[@_WEsTWooD]

Kanye is one of the greatest artists of all time. There are a million semi-decent artist out today that would make for a better comparison

[@deddiev1718]

Analytics is overrated if I play against a player more than once I know what they usually go to in their bag

[@Cahluvca]

Have to see it yo believe it when it comes to defense...

[@StronglybrownTv]

Defense is all mentality and how much more your whiling to study and learn.

[@PhillyP75]

I am just happy DLo isn’t going with the D White comps this year …😂 Just being someone who is self aware, but someone who is reasonable with the goals… Is all he needs to be.

[@robt5818]

Andy, congratulations on quitting the cigarettes!

[@LockedOnLakers]

@@robt5818 Thanks! It took a long time to finally get over the hump, but I haven’t had a cigarette in at least a decade, and have not been a regular smoker in nearly 20 years. Feels pretty good. AK

[@deddiev1718]

Analytics came from semi smart guys that couldn’t play very well. That’s all they got

[@HERKIMER_]

AD IS OFFICIALLY A "MAN"....WHO HE "IS" AS A PLAYER "THIS YEAR" IS LOCKED IN STONE AND ANY FUTURE AD (after this year) IS A MATTER OF MAINTANANCE NOT IMPROVEMENT...

[@jimmyjames24]

Thanks guys, that dude is always so annoying in the comments.

[@_WEsTWooD]

DLo has made more than $150 million in his career. Playing the victim role is a lil crazy..I’d expect nothing less

[@giftedimagesllc]

Playing the victim role?? When and where?

[@_WEsTWooD]

@@giftedimagesllc We can talk about last season, him moaning about Ham’s relationship with Schroder. Or we can talk about this week, when he said at media day, “ JJ’s kind words mean a lot because I’m not used to hearing those “….whichever suits you best.

[@giftedimagesllc]

@@_WEsTWooD him moaning about Ham’s relationship with Schroder? Thats just DLo saying Ham had his favorites, which was obvious with Prince starting over Rui. This is no different from AD being publicly critical of Ham by saying "We have stretches where we just don't know what we're doing on both ends of the floor." Or better yet, Lebron, who is one of the goats at passing the buck, looking square in Ham's while throwing a preteen hissy fit in the middle of a play because the previous call wasn't challenged. And Dlo saying he's not used to hearing kind words because when it comes to the media, he's always the first catching the blame for the Laker's failures when he's the least of their problems. In all honesty, Dlo has been pretty straight forward with his playoff shortcomings since the WCFs two years ago.

[@_WEsTWooD]

@@giftedimagesllc Plain and simple it was DLo playing victim of Ham’s favoritism….and what’s worse is people not understanding that most coaches would favor Schroder over DLo for reasons that DLo himself admitted the other day. Schroder produces, sure, but he always gives max effort. And DLo does not. And then favoring Prince over Rui means what? Redick has asked Rui to shoot more 3’s. Taurean Prince does not have a problem getting 3’s up and even better - he pays attention on defense far more than Rui does. I don’t have a problem with either of those decisions. But then again, I’ve paid attention to what wins championships over the last 5 decades

[@StronglybrownTv]

I think at this point DLO apologized because he feels threatened by Max Christie.

[@giftedimagesllc]

🧢🧢 the only person that should be threatened by Max is Austin because they play the same position.

[@pamwechete1478]

The dlo hate is wild . What has max porved? I'll wait.

[@LN-Lifer]

We keep focusing on DLO's apology but far and away more interesting was his comment about the lack of nice things said about him

[@_WEsTWooD]

DLo has made more than $150 million in his career. The victim role is a lil crazy..I’d expect nothing less

[@LN-Lifer]

K-Bros give the most nuanced analysis (sometimes to a fault) of the Lakers It always amazes me how many viewers lock on (no pun intended) to one thing they say and then hear nothing else