USA TODAY International Edition
Russell a ‘ hungry’ X factor for Warriors
SAN FRANCISCO – If he could, D’Angelo Russell would train with Stephen Curry all of the time. Then Russell could see up close how Curry makes almost every shot he takes. Or how Curry creates separation against stronger defenders. Or he could ask Curry any question he had since admiring him growing up.
Instead, the 23- year- old has spent the beginning of his first campaign with the Warriors trying to learn from his idol in a different manner.
“I’m doing a lot of spectating,” Russell said in an interview with USA TODAY Sports. “I’m just seeing what I can learn from him from a distance. Then I can come up with the correct questions and the correct demeanor on what I’m trying to learn versus nagging him about stuff.”
That moment captures Russell’s belief that he can maximize his partnership with Curry by allowing it to grow organically.
It also highlights how Russell has become increasingly attentive to details after joining his third team for his fifth NBA season.
Through training camp, Russell’s idol likes what he sees. In the Warriors’ 124103 preseason win over the Lakers last Friday at Chase Center, Russell finished with 29 points while shooting 9 of 19 from the field and 6 of 11 from 3- point range along with three assists. With Curry scoring 32 points on similarly efficient numbers from the field ( 9 of 20) and from deep ( 6 of 15), the Warriors are aware their backcourt scoring will largely determine the team’s success this season.
“He plays at his own pace and is willing to learn,” Curry said of Russell. “He’s hungry to make that next step in his career.”
A needed caveat. The Warriors treated their preseason finale against the Lakers as a dress rehearsal. Curry, Russell and Draymond Green all played while the Lakers sat LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, Dwight Howard and Quinn Cook. So it remains hard to tell if Russell’s performance reveals how well he will complement Curry and offset Klay Thompson’s expected absence through the AllStar break.
The Warriors have seen positive glimpses, though. Warriors coach Steve Kerr described Russell as “eager to learn” and “a really good teammate.” That includes when Russell either trains with Curry or observes from the sideline.
“It’s always helpful to be able to coach a guy after the initial shock of being in the NBA happens,” Kerr said. “Once a player gets accustomed to the game and figures out how to become a pro and how to work, it’s a lot easier to coach him. I think D’Angelo has really become a pro and has become a great player in this league. We’re getting him at the right time.”
The Lakers did not draft Russell at the right time in 2015. Following Russell’s freshman season at Ohio State, the Lakers became enamored with Russell for his passing, outside shooting and confidence. Russell did not show those qualities consistently both because of organizational dysfunction and self- inflicted wounds. Lakers coach Byron Scott also harped more on Russell’s mistakes than his development. Yet Scott’s frustration also stemmed from Russell’s inconsistent work habits, which prompted Scott to remove Russell’s starting spot 20 games into the season. Russell’s standing within the locker room later diminished after he inadvertently posted a video of teammate Nick Young admitting to infidelities.
When the Lakers hired Luke Walton to replace Scott the following season, Russell thrived more under Walton’s positive reinforcement and modernbased offense. Still, the Lakers traded Russell the following summer to Brooklyn.
So even if Russell thanked veterans Kobe Bryant, Lou Williams, Metta World Peace and Roy Hibbert for their guidance, Russell viewed the Lakers’ direction with some skepticism.
“I got to see the dysfunction as well,” Russell said. “Not every organization is like that. Coming in as a young player, you see things that you see and you think it’s normal. Then you come to an organization like Brooklyn, and it’s the complete opposite.”
Russell respectfully declined to detail the Lakers’ dysfunction. He only said, “There is a lot of extra energy with being in a Lakers uniform.”
Walton, the Kings’ head coach and a former Warriors assistant ( 2014- 16), spoke with Golden State’s coaching staff about Russell after his lone season coaching him. Kerr mostly received rave reviews and believes that experience has helped Russell adapt to a similar offense. Yet Kerr considers Russell’s time with the Nets to be “the more relevant experience.”
The reason?
Russell began blossoming into a better version of himself. Russell became more empowered under Nets coach Kenny Atkinson, whom Russell described as “super positive.” Russell liked how the Nets carved out individual player development programs to foster organic growth. Russell also felt increasingly motivated to develop better habits, which included improved sleep, diet and treatment. In related news, Russell made his first appearance in an All- Star Game and playoff series.
“I sacrificed fun and cut that in half,” Russell said. “It’s easy to be just a basketball player, get paid and come here to do that. But to be professional about it is different.
“I learned how to be a professional.” The Warriors noticed. So when Kevin Durant left for Brooklyn, the Warriors sought a consolation prize.
“When I was in L. A., the structure wasn’t up to par as I wanted it to be,” Russell said. “Then when I went to Brooklyn and I got a taste of what structure was, I came here and am thinking when I had the opportunity to evaluate every team that I was possibly going to, I took structure into consideration.”
Russell also considered that the Warriors offered a max deal worth $ 117 million for four years.
“I was ready to take it,” Russell said. “I don’t care what team it was. I thought that’s what I deserved. I feel like I played my way into it.”
Russell has become determined to maximize his time here.
“When I get the opportunity to work with ( Curry), I try to do that without messing up his routine and his rhythm,” Russell said. “Whenever he allows me to jump in, I’m right there. On other days, when he wants to be by himself, I’m with ( Warriors assistant coach) Theo ( Robertson). It’s kind of a mixed balance.”
And it’s a balance that Russell’s idol believes he has already mastered.
“He’s always asking the right questions. He’s eager to learn and grow,” Curry said. “It’s nice to see a guy get paid in the summer and is still hungry to get better.”