Even in Round 2, Lakers D’Angelo Russell: “Timberwolves held me back”

If D’Angelo Russell is happy with the Lakers, why throw shade at Timberwolves?

Now this should be the final chapter of D’Angelo Russell’s NBA journey, it’s come full circle now, back to his NBA point of origin. And the Los Angeles Lakers are taking it to the Golden State Warriors in Round 2 of the best-of-seven series in the NBA Playoffs. For my part, I’m happy that he has finally found a home. I’m delighted that DLo is no longer synonymous with a player whose only motivation is about himself, and who wilts in the face of real competition.

My only concern now for the Lakers is: Enjoy it while you can.

With age comes maturity. With maturity comes a sense of level-headedness that takes everything in stride, a mental toughness that does not dive into those shallow recesses of deep slumps nor climb to the thinly-oxygenated heights of one-time performance. It’s the ability to be consistent and present, to be happy with where you are in the moment, and to appreciate the rigors of the journey that has carried you to that point in your life and career.

But that is a lesson that seems to evade D’Angelo Russell even now.

In the article by Lakers Daily writer Orel Dizon, D’Angelo Russell allegedly was ‘held back,’ by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He even accused the uncertainty of his future with the team of exacting a toll on him. He compared himself to a bird:

"“Yeah, so I would play in that because I felt that my confidence was being taken away with the style that I was playing in. I’m a killer, man. I’m a bird that needs to fly, and I couldn’t really fly there. They put me in a box that I was successful in…but I did that for confidence. I enjoy just playing, and I would play some of my best games in that (run), because I didn’t really have a rhythm (in the real games). I had to kind of cater to guys.” – D’Angelo Russell as per an article by Lakers Daily writer Orel Dizon"

That narrative is entertaining, yes.

Owning problems is the first step to fixing problems

But it reflected none of the roles that Russell played in his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was benched in the playoffs last season because he was ineffective. He was unable to lead the team to success until the Timberwolves added a tough-minded veteran point guard in Patrick Beverley. And that ‘box’ that he was placed into was the expectation to get the basketball to his teammates.

I thanked the Los Angeles Lakers for taking Dr. Jeckyl/Mr. Hyde aspects of D’Angelo Russell in a previous article. The comments responding to that article seemed to strike a nerve. I expect more of the same reaction to this piece too.

But you can always judge the person you are dating or even friends with by the way they talk about their former relationships. If they were always the victim, that is a huge warning flag to steer clear.  You see, you can bet donuts to dollars that you will be talked about in the same manner if and when the relationship ends.

Appreciate great performances, yes. But if that day comes when D’Angelo Russell wears out his welcome with the Los Angeles Lakers, do not be shocked if DLo is talking about how unfairly he was treated by the Los Angeles Lakers.

It’s just one more of the things that DLo does.