D'Angelo Russell had to get a leak of his NBA script early. Back when he was a rookie, he knew he was going to be teammates with LeBron James and Anthony Davis before anyone else.
Russell was a beloved player for the Los Angeles Lakers during his first two seasons. While he did have to endure a bit of controversy his rookie year, he's carved up an impressive career while yet to enter his prime. So, once Russell was reacquired in a three-team trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Utah Jazz, Laker fans quickly scavenged through their D'Lo archive.
One of the videos that went viral on Twitter was when a reporter asked a then 19-year-old Russell during summer league who his all-time starting five would be. The twist in the question was that he'd also have to be the team's point guard. His answer will probably leave you at a loss for words:
“I'd say, Bill Russell, Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and me,” D'Angelo Russell said.




D'Angelo Russell's all-time starting five:
– Bill Russell
– Anthony Davis
– LeBron James
– Michael Jordan
– Himselfh/t @SerenaWinterspic.twitter.com/I0jVan7oKr
— 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧' 𝐍𝐁𝐀 (@_Talkin_NBA) February 15, 2023
At the time, his response didn't seem that bizarre. Nine times out of ten, most people would probably have Russell (Bill), Jordan, and LeBron in their all-time starting five too. His response to adding Davis, however, was a bit peculiar. The two had no history of playing with each other in the past and Davis was still a 21-year-old trying to cement himself as a superstar in the league. At that point, Davis' best accomplishments were two all-star appearances and getting swept by the Warriors in the first round.
Nonetheless, D'Angelo Russell did get his wish granted eight years later after the interview was taken. And it's hard to imagine playing with one of your all-time starting five let alone two of them. Who knows, maybe if Jordan or Bill Russell played in this era, they'd all be teammates too. But we're sure Russell can't complain. Their fit as a trio has been seamless thus far. In the first eight games they've played together, the Lakers went 8-1 and saved what could've been one of the most disappointing seasons in Laker history.
D’Angelo Russell PREDICTED His Future 😎 I Clutch #Shorts – YouTube