D’Angelo Russell has apologized to Los Angeles Lakers supporters for his perceived lack of self-accountability during the previous season. Russell emphasized his desire to be more selfless going forward and expressed his excitement for what lies ahead during the Lakers’ media day.
Russell said, “I’m just trying to be selfless.””I want to sincerely apologize to all of my fans who have watched me fail to hold myself accountable this year. Not be as professional as I would like to be the whole time. I would like to apologize if I in any way become a distraction. Regarding the past.
“In the future, just looking forward to being here, winning here, and being a part of this new everything,” Russell stated. “It just feels new around here and super excited for it.”
Russell had given the Lakers his all, according to Lakers icon James Worthy, so there was nothing to apologize for. According to Worthy, every athlete hopes to improve in the future and does not want to be too hard on themselves.
Regarding Russell’s professionalism—or lack thereof—one particular instance from the previous season truly caught my attention. Russell was using his phone instead of taking part in the team huddle during Game 3 of the Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets first-round series. That remained elevated.
Given Russell’s struggles in the series against the Nuggets, where he averaged 14.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game, Laker Nation was not particularly eager to see him return. However, the former All-Star opted into his $18.7 million player option for the 2024-25 season and is determined to improve.
Despite a disappointing end to the 2023-24 season, Russell remains highly confident in his skills. During media day, he made a bold statement: “I’m a problem for the opposing team.”
When he’s at his best, Russell indeed presents significant challenges for opponents. He averaged 18.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game in the 2023-24 season, with some stretches where teams struggled to contain him. For instance, in January 2024, he averaged 22.7 points per game and shot 45.9% from beyond the arc.
Those numbers reflect All-Star potential, but the issue with Russell is his inconsistency over a full season. He has also gained a reputation for underperforming in the playoffs, which is a difficult label to shake.
Russell aims to rectify his playoff shortcomings in 2025, but it’s uncertain if he’ll get that opportunity with the Lakers. Among the team’s players, he seems the most likely to be traded. If the Lakers start strong, he might finish the season with them; if they struggle, he could be on the move.
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