In a rare summer league matchup worthy of some actual hype, Lakers point guard D'Angelo Russell stole the spotlight from Brandon Ingram and the Philadelphia 76ers' Ben Simmons by hitting a game-winning three-pointer as time expired for a 70-69 Lakers win.
Russell was quick to point out it's not blood coursing through his veins after he made the game-winner, per the Lakers' official Twitter account:
The second-year point guard finished with a game-high 22 points, four rebounds and five assists, but he did have six turnovers. Still, it was an overall encouraging display from Russell, who is key to the Lakers' rebuilding plans and seems determined to prove he's ready to take the next step in his evolution.
"I'm going back to summer league looking to dominate," Russell told the Orange County Register's Bill Oram prior to the start of this year's summer league.
Dominating the Las Vegas Summer League is one way to make sure you never have to play it in again, as veterans, superstars and elite-level prospects rarely play in what are basically organized scrimmages for developing players and clingers-on.
When reminded of the fact that fellow NBA sophomores such as Karl-Anthony Towns and Kristaps Porzingis weren't playing, Russell noted he had to prove he didn't need the extra work.
“There’s a reason,” Russell said, per Oram. “They dominated and showed that they didn’t belong there. I guess I didn’t show it. So I guess I got to show it when I get that opportunity.”
Russell has been a little out of control at times in two Las Vegas games thus far, but the aggression and passion are there. It's tempting to read too much into summer league performances, but Russell's play is at least a ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
