D'Angelo Russell's vision already impressing Lakers coach staff
One look across the landscape of NBA championship contenders makes it very clear: Having an elite point guard might not be prerequisite for winning a championship, but it's starting to border on necessity. If not a point guard, at least, a team needs someone who can read a defense, find the weak spot, and create the highest efficiency shot possible out of the possession.
When the Los Angeles Lakers drafted D'Angelo Russell with the no. 2 overall pick, it was for his ability to do just that. He's not the dead-eye shooter that Stephen Curry is, and he's not a whirling dervish in the vein of Russell Westbrook or James Harden. But Russell's court vision is unparalleled in this rookie class, and it's something he's already demonstrated to the Lakers this summer.
Los Angeles assistant Mark Madsen, who helmed the Lakers' summer league squad this year, joined SiriusXM NBA Radio on Monday, and he said that what most impressed him about Russell during his time in Las Vegas was said vision.
The problem for Russell will be adjusting to the speed and strength of the NBA game. His eyes might see the right move, but whether he's capable of executing it as a rookie remains to be seen. Give him time, however, and that vision could blossom into something truly beautiful for the Lakers.
(h/t SiriusXM NBA Radio)
#Lakers Assistant Coach Mark Madsen says he was most impressed with @Dloading vision during summer league #Lakers
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) August 17, 2015
