Russell: Atkinson did not make me a Nets success
In two years, D’Angelo Russell went from a Lakers castoff to a Nets AllStar, a consistent and clutch scorer who led them to the postseason a year ago.
Most experts credited former Nets coach Kenny Atkinson for Russell’s 180-degree turn.
The now Timberwolves guard, however, is not one of them.
“I’m not going to give it to Kenny,” Rusell told The Athletic. “I still don’t think he knew what he had, honestly. I don’t think he knew what I was capable of in the fourth quarter.”
There were times Atkinson, who was fired by the Nets on March 7, would pull Russell in the fourth quarter. Their relationship obviously wasn’t perfect. Still, it can’t be argued his best basketball during his five-year NBA career came under Atkinson.
His most productive season as a pro was the 2018-19 campaign when the former No. 2 overall draft pick averaged 21.1 points, 7.0 assists and shot 43.4 percent from the field, and helped the Nets reach the playoffs.
“Brooklyn was a place that he needed as well as Brooklyn needed him,” said Antonio Russell Jr., his older brother. “They were able to mold each other and build each other up.”
Following that season, the 24-year-old Russell was sent to the Warriors in a sign-and-trade that included Kevin Durant. It netted Russell a max contract, though in February he was shipped away again, this time to Minnesota, to play alongside close friend Karl-Anthony Towns. Perhaps, Russell felt Atkinson didn’t fight hard enough to keep him as the Nets decided to bring in the duo of Durant and Kyrie Irving last offseason.
“Everything was going right, finally has an All-Star year, he’s breaking out of the shell, showing his true potential, and it wasn’t good enough,” Towns said. “It wasn’t good enough to be here, you’re not wanted here, we’re going to get rid of you. That’s rough on anybody. It doesn’t matter how good, how popular you are.”