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Brooklyn Nets guard D'Angelo Russell credited his head coach Kenny Atkinson for his growth as a player. The 22-year-old was traded to Brooklyn two summers ago after spending his first two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, embarking in a different adventure as the head of a young team.
Most recently, it was Atkinson who pulled him for the remainder of the fourth quarter after he failed to box out and allowed a Boston Celtics player to snare an offensive rebound, despite having plenty of Nets bodies around him. Russell took responsibility for his mistake and gave Atkinson no doubts for his decision.
“I give him a lot of credit for the teaching moments,” said Russell, who poured in 30 points against the Chicago Bulls the night after being benched by Atkinson, according to The Associated Press. “My knowledge and IQ has really rose to another level just from learning from my mistakes and him breaking it down and us (dissecting) the film together.”
The trust between player and coach seems to be there for Russell and Atkinson, despite being together for less than two years and having their ups and downs as the franchise figured out the right spot and role for the young guard.
With key figures like Caris LeVert and Spencer Dinwiddie out of the lineup, it is Russell's time to shine and lead this team to the promise land. At 28-24, the Nets own the sixth spot in the East, four games behind the Boston Celtics and two games ahead of the Miami Heat.
