D’Angelo coach thinks he can be the face of Nets
The Nets won’t hype an individual player as the face of the franchise, but D’Angelo Russell could become just that. And Kevin Boyle — the coach who knows him best — told The Post that with Carmelo Anthony gone, Russell could be the face of all New York hoops.
While Kenny Atkinson will be Russell’s fourth coach in four years, Boyle coached him for three seasons at Montverde Academy in Florida, winning national titles the last two, and he told The Post that Russell can be the foundation on which the Nets build. He admits Russell could have better handled the Nick Young fiasco — in which Russell was revealed to have secretly recorded Young talking about cheating on his fiancée — and has to improve as a player, but he said Brooklyn is the perfect place for Russell to realize his star potential.
“It was a couple years ago that situation happened,” Boyle said. “It’s time for everybody to move on. He could’ve handled it better than he handled it, but who doesn’t make mistakes at 20? He can be the new face of New York basketball. … D’Angelo has the potential to fill that void. … He’s more mature in how he’ll handle it.”
Russell, 21, has shown potential, averaging 26.5 points and 8.2 assists per 100 possessions last season. The only other players who managed that by their age-20 seasons are LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, another Boyle protégé.
“Brooklyn’s a great situation. I’d be stunned if he’s not a five-time All-Star,” Boyle said. “D’Angelo’s going to be a star in New York. … I’ve been telling him, ‘Make sure you embrace the community. New Yorkers are great people. They want somebody they can touch. [Make sure] it’s true, it’s genuine, it’s real. Do that, you’ll have a great career. They’re waiting for somebody to step up: You have that opportunity.’ ”
Coming off an NBA-worst 20-62 season and bereft of their own 2018 first-round pick, the Nets need Russell to step up. He made a solid first impression with his dramatic 3 in the Dyckman Park playoffs.
“I told him, ‘You did something that gave you incredible street cred in New York. It’s different from anyplace else. They love basketball, love somebody like you with a little swag. Now you’ve got to back it up, [have] the maturity to have the swag but keep it in balance, handle yourself professionally,’ ’’ Boyle said.
It could be a long build. For that, Russell must tighten up his defense, bulk up his frame and most of all build up his relationship with Atkinson. After playing for Thad Matta at Ohio State and Byron Scott and Luke Walton with the Lakers, could the Nets’ culture and Atkinson’s personal touch be what he needs?
“He’s got to get after it more, get stronger,” Boyle said. “I tell him not just be one of the better offensive players, but you’ve got to control people on defense if you’re going to get where you want in the playoffs.
“The coach [needs a] strong relationship. The NBA can be very businesslike. He will not flourish if he doesn’t have a personal relationship with the coach — not kiss his [butt], but genuinely care about him on and off court. If he gets that, it’ll be a home run for the coach.”
And for Brooklyn.