Lakers News: Stat Makes Most Compelling Argument Yet That It's Time To Bench D'Angelo Russell
![Lakers News: Stat Makes Most Compelling Argument Yet That It's Time To Bench D'Angelo Russell Lakers News: Stat Makes Most Compelling Argument Yet That It's Time To Bench D'Angelo Russell](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/MTk4MDY2NDA0NDYzNzQ4Mjg2/usatsi_20680079_168396005_lowres.jpg)
The Los Angeles Lakers are currently heading back to the City of Angels with two losses under their belt, a lot of game film to go over, and a less-than-ideal D'Angelo Russell situation.
D-Lo has been one of their most streaky players this offseason and he's definitely not looking like the same electric game-changer that we acquired at the deadline in this WCF. I was initially very excited to see how he would fare in his first big series especially due to some solid outings against the Warriors, but things are very different right now.
It's safe to say Lakers fans have just about had it with him in these first two games.
DβAngelo Russell in the WCF:
β Jacob (@Jacobtheclipper) May 19, 2023
9.0 PPG
43.4% TS
36.8% FG
12.5% 3PT
Westbrook in the playoffs for the Clippers:
23.6 PPG
50.9% TS
41.0% FG
35.7% 3PT
π€π€π€π€π€ pic.twitter.com/axIwGac9V6
Bruce Brown said the Nuggets game plan was to attack D'Angelo Russell on every possession. pic.twitter.com/AzZ8ujYUMZ
β Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) May 18, 2023
It's becoming clear that Russell is starting to become unplayable at times. Not only is he getting hunted play after play on defense, but his nine points per game on just 12 percent from three in this series is not going to cut it.
There were initial talks about bringing him off the bench after game one but head coach Darvin Ham shut all of those immediately, noting that he and the franchise believes in D-Lo to be a leader on the floor.
And I understand why this is the case. LA has not had a solid point guard in quite some time and with Russell hitting unrestricted free agency in the summer, they want to make sure he has the platform to prove he deserves a new deal.
Lakers vs. Nuggets through two games:
β Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 19, 2023
With D'Angelo Russell:
-41 in 59 minutes
Without D'Angelo Russell:
+30 in 37 minutes
But the advanced stats are hurting him badly as well as whenever the 27-year-old guard is on the floor, the team is -41. Flip the other way when he is on the bench and they have been a much better +30 in those situations.
However, maybe a switch will flip in these next two games for the Ohio State product seeing that he has performed much better at home in this year's postseason. D-Lo has contributed about 18 points, four assists, and three rebounds in home games against the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors.
I am really hoping that the LA crowd will spark something in Russell because he will be pivotal in the Lakers making a comeback.