With an average of 20.8 points and 6.6 assists since the start of February, including a peak of 44 points against the Bucks, D'Angelo Russell is in great shape. We are currently in the highs of the playmaker's Lakers career, who has also experienced quite a few lows.
Notably in the Western Conference final last season, with his 8/27 shooting in the first three matches against the Nuggets, which pushed Darvin Ham to put him on the bench in Game 4. The former Brooklynite clearly missed his series, posting 6.3 points per game at 32% shooting success and 13% at 3-pts.
And when Dennis Schroder took his place in the major five during the last match of the series, largely won by Denver (4-0), he did not talk about it with his coach. And for a very specific reason.
“The relationship Schroder had with Darvin was the reason I couldn’t have one with Darvin,” sums up D’Angelo Russell for ESPN. “When I was having a tough time, I could have come to my coach to tell him how we could have done this or that or to help, but instead there was no dialogue. I accepted that. »
A leader who does not have a relationship, even imperfect, with his coach is necessarily difficult, for him and for the group. It was therefore necessary to create one, which was not without clashes or tense situations.
Everyone takes a step towards each other
The proof at the beginning of January. D'Angelo Russell had been injured for several days and spent a lot of time watching footage to study his team's play. After a collective video session, organized after a defeat against Miami, Darvin Ham and his player clash. The first expects more effort and accuracy from his troops, the second demands clearer plans.
The coach then illustrates his remarks with precise images of moments when his team does “things by halves”, when the point guard disagrees with the lack of accuracy and offers a different approach that might suit the Lakers. Of course, it's not the perfect understanding, but it's the start of a relationship.
“There are times when we agree to agree, others when we agree to disagree or to reach an agreement”recognizes Darvin Ham. “But the main thing is not so much dialogue as access to it. I can only emphasize this. I can go to him and tell him how I see things and take a step towards him. Or tell him I need him to take a step towards me. Or it could also be him telling me that he needs more confidence, that I adapt more to him, to his way of doing things. »
What result does this method give? “It’s a relationship that works”replies the Lakers coach. “It’s tennis: I return the ball, he responds”confirms D’Angelo Russell. “That’s what a season is. We use the 82 matches to develop. »
| D'Angelo Russell | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2015-16 | LAL | 80 | 28 | 41.0 | 35.1 | 73.7 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 3.3 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 0.2 | 13.2 |
| 2016-17 | LAL | 63 | 29 | 40.5 | 35.2 | 78.2 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.8 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 15.6 |
| 2017-18 | BRK | 48 | 26 | 41.4 | 32.4 | 74.0 | 0.6 | 3.3 | 3.9 | 5.2 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 3.1 | 0.4 | 15.5 |
| 2018-19 | BRK | 81 | 30 | 43.4 | 36.9 | 78.0 | 0.7 | 3.2 | 3.9 | 7.0 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 0.3 | 21.1 |
| 2019-20 * | All Teams | 45 | 32 | 42.6 | 36.7 | 80.9 | 0.4 | 3.6 | 3.9 | 6.3 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 23.1 |
| 2019-20 * | GOS | 33 | 32 | 43.0 | 37.4 | 78.5 | 0.4 | 3.3 | 3.7 | 6.2 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 0.3 | 23.6 |
| 2019-20 * | MIN | 12 | 33 | 41.2 | 34.5 | 87.3 | 0.3 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 6.6 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 3.8 | 0.3 | 21.7 |
| 2020-21 | MIN | 42 | 29 | 43.1 | 38.7 | 76.5 | 0.4 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 5.8 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 19.0 |
| 2021-22 | MIN | 65 | 32 | 41.1 | 34.0 | 82.5 | 0.4 | 2.9 | 3.3 | 7.1 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 18.1 |
| 2022-23 * | All Teams | 71 | 33 | 46.9 | 39.6 | 82.9 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 6.2 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 17.8 |
| 2022-23 * | MIN | 54 | 33 | 46.5 | 39.1 | 85.6 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 3.1 | 6.2 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 17.9 |
| 2022-23 * | LAL | 17 | 31 | 48.4 | 41.4 | 73.5 | 0.4 | 2.5 | 2.9 | 6.1 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 17.4 |
| 2023-24 | LAL | 61 | 32 | 47.1 | 42.4 | 80.1 | 0.4 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 6.2 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 18.0 |
| Total | 556 | 30 | 43.1 | 36.9 | 78.9 | 0.5 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 5.7 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 17.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
