D’Angelo Russell is settling in — again in Brooklyn like he by no means left.
After the Los Angeles Lakers traded Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three second-round picks to the Nets final month in alternate for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton, he dropped 22 factors off the bench in his season debut with Brooklyn in a 130-113 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Jan. 1.
Russell recorded the second-highest plus/minus in that recreation at plus-2. He was moved into the beginning lineup over the following two video games in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers, and struggled, averaging simply eight factors, two rebounds and eight assists on .267/.167/.875 taking pictures splits.
However these numbers had been a bit deceptive, as he performed simply 14 minutes in opposition to Philadelphia and exited at halftime due to a proper shin contusion. The Nets misplaced 123-94 and Russell spent the following 4 video games injured and inactive. He did return in a 132-114 win over the Portland Path Blazers on Jan. 15, however didn’t play the next day in opposition to the Los Angeles Clippers, an embarrassing 59-point loss for Brooklyn.
Russell has been accessible over the Nets’ final three video games, although, and he appears to have lastly established a rhythm. He dropped 19 factors, six rebounds and eight assists on his outdated group at Crypto.com Area final Friday and simply missed a go-ahead 3-pointer on the buzzer. Then in Tuesday’s 99-95 loss to the Knicks at Barclays Heart, he completed with 23 factors and 10 assists, together with a ridiculously clutch trey with 52 seconds left that minimize the Knicks’ result in two.
The 32 minutes he performed had been his most since returning to Brooklyn. He additionally recorded his second 20/10 recreation of the season — his first this season with the Nets — and tied a profession excessive with three blocked photographs.
“His impact on the group has been very positive,” head coach Jordi Fernandez stated. “He’s an excellent ball handler and playmaker and scorer. So, he impacts the game in many ways, and he understands the game. He communicates, so having that voice and that experience there makes everybody feel better, it makes me feel better… he makes things simpler for everybody else.”
Russell is probably not looking for a playoff spot like he was with the Lakers, however in Brooklyn, he’s being trusted to do extra and appears to be embracing his new scenario. He’s “recalibrating” a mode of play that was misplaced to him for some time, and it exhibits.
“I’ll never take being able to play free basketball like this for granted again,” Russell stated after Tuesday’s recreation. “This is style and a play that — obviously we got the best performance team as well. They keep guys fresh; they keep guys in shape. They keep them prepared for the minutes and the load that they’re about to play in.
“So, for me, my body is not prepared for this. I didn’t prepare for this all season, all summer, so it’s an adjustment for me as well. My body’s adjusting as well. So, like I said, just keep listening to the training staff. They’re putting me in the best position to adjust mid-season and not be vulnerable out there as well.”
How lengthy will Russell’s newest stint in Brooklyn final?
The 28-year-old doesn’t precisely match the Nets’ rebuilding timeline, and the NBA’s commerce deadline is Feb. 6. Normal supervisor Sean Marks continues to hunt worth for the group’s veterans, and if Russell retains enjoying effectively, there’s an opportunity he may very well be on the transfer sooner moderately than later.
Nevertheless, Russell isn’t involved about what may very well be. That’s out of his management. Specializing in the now’s what serves him greatest.
“I can only speak for myself, I never care, I never let my mind go to that,” Russell stated when requested in regards to the concept of being traded once more. “The only time I think about it or talk about it is when [the media] asks me. I really take pride in keeping my mind away from things that I can’t control. So, I try to spread that message to the other players, too.”
