Los Angeles Lakers second-year guard D'Angelo Russell didn't exactly come into the easiest of situations last season, as he arrived to the franchise just as Kobe Bryant announced his retirement. It didn't take long for the season to soon became a farewell tour for the 20-year Laker legend.
Russell was likely stripped of potential minutes last season due to the fans' demand to see Bryant on the floor. This season, the former No. 2 overall pick finally will have a chance to flourish and gain a following of his own among Laker aficionados.
The Lakers won their season-opener last night, topping the Houston Rockets 120-114 in a game that came down to the last few possessions. The Ohio State product could feel something different in the atmosphere, even only one game into their long season.
“I'll tell you what it felt like: It felt like a home game,” Russell told The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski. “Last year, we had Kobe and the fans. We had some die-hard Lakers fans, and Kobe fans. But we had so many guys who didn't have identities for the fans to recognize. But today, it felt like a home game.
“You go to Utah, or Houston – and they're rooting for their team. Here, this is the home of the NBA. People come to the see the show, too. Don't get me wrong: They're all Lakers fans, they're incredible, but they want to see the show, too.”
Russell is one of many young components that will be tasked to shoulder the load and grow into bigger roles for the team. As a starting point guard, he's bound to see plenty of minutes and flourish from game to game.
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