Lakers News: D'Angelo Russell Doesn't View Himself As LA's Point Guard

He prefers the term 'basketball player.'

Game two against the Memphis Grizzlies was disappointing all-around for the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James led the way with 28 points and 12 rebounds along with Rui Hachimura pouring in 20 points off the bench but outside of those two, nobody else stepped up in their 103-93 loss.

Anthony Davis failed to control the paint like he did in game one as he dropped just 13 points while shooting 28% from the field. Considering the superstar Ja Morant did not play in this match, the Lakers let one slip out from under them.

However, the talk of town has undoubtedly been D'Angelo Russell. For someone that has been all smiles since he arrived in the city of Angels, his mood was quite dark following the playoff loss and it's easy to see why. His postseason struggles continue as he went 2/11 from the field and recorded only one more assist than turnovers.

"(I'm a) basketball player, you can't keep saying point guard. ...basketball player with this team, not really a point guard role."

- D’Angelo Russell on his role with the Lakers

(via @SpectrumSN) pic.twitter.com/plq0UFVtrQ

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 20, 2023

Following his rather forgetful performance, D-Lo made some interesting comments in his media session. He was referred to multiple times by the people interviewing as the 'point guard' of the Lakers and he clearly got annoyed each time.

Finally, he stopped them mid-sentence and revealed that he believes he is not the point guard on this team.

"I'm a basketball player, you can't keep saying point guard," said Russell. "Basketball player with this team, not really a point guard role. You kind of just hoop."

(Via Spectrum Sportsnet)

These are very telling comments because I believe that majority of fans welcomed in Russell at the trade deadline believing that he would run the offense. Up until this game, even he struggled from the field, he still found his teammates in their sweet spots and fulfilled his duty.

Obviously on a team with LeBron James, he's not always going to bring the ball up and you also take into account that Austin Reaves has been getting more touches but the Lakers had a huge culture change in the midst of this season and D-Lo has been a big reason why.

He doesn't just go out there and hoop... he is the point guard of the Lakers for now.

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