D'Angelo Russell gave LA Lakers fans a reality check about new-look roster instantly turning things around after huge loss to Portland
D'Angelo Russell kept the record straight after the LA Lakers' 127-115 loss to the shorthanded Portland Trail Blazers. The Lakers made significant upgrades at the trade deadline, adding Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley to the team. However, their loss against the Trail Blazers left fans infuriated.
Russell, who has played for the Lakers in his first two years in the NBA, knows that fans want results and immediate impact. However, he didn't shy away from admitting that the new-look roster needs some time to build their chemistry. Here's what he said after the loss to Portland (via Dave McMenamin):
"Knowing that we have every excuse in the world to use, are we going to use it or are we going to just kind of go out there and try to make something happen?
"It’s not going to happen right away. As much as everybody are Laker fans in the world, they want it to happen right away. Just like any other team, you got to build."
D'Angelo Russell with a postgame reality check: "Knowing that we have every excuse in the world to use, are we going to use it or are we going to just kind of go out there and try to make something happen? ... It’s not going to happen right away. As much as everybody are Laker… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
It was only the LA Lakers' second game since their new additions debuted for them. LA were victorious in their last game against the defending champions Golden State Warriors, bagging a 109-103 win on the road. The new additions impressed in that contest.
The Lakers failed to replicate that against the Trail Blazers. Anthony Davis was the team's best player, as he bagged 19 points and 21 rebounds, while the rest struggled to make an impact. Malik Beasley had 22 points but only found his rhythm when LA waived the white flag.
LA Lakers need to make adjustments ahead of LeBron James' return
D'Angelo Russell and the new recruits are yet to play alongside the LA Lakers' best player, LeBron James. The four-time MVP will reportedly likely return for the team's next game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The offense could look entirely different with the four-time MVP's presence on the floor. The Lakers struggled to mesh offensively against Portland, failing to move the ball around well and generating open shots.
Russell and Schroder combined for 10 assists but didn't look efficient running the point. With both players starting, the Lakers were without a true point guard on the bench. Austin Reaves was their primary option, but he is better suited to play the two.
The Lakers would be better off bringing Schroder off the bench once LeBron James returns to the lineup. Austin Reaves could take Troy Brown Jr.'s place and start as shooting guard alongside D'Angelo Russell at PG.
James will be the floor general for the team but will also have the luxury of having Russell take over when needed. With the shooting the LA Lakers now have, LA can compete better with their opponents in that aspect, with James attracting defensive attention on drives.