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Brooklyn Nets guard D'Angelo Russell is feeling great about his work during the offseason this year. Russell spent this summer strengthening his body by training alongside close friend Devin Booker, and the Nets youngster feels poised for a breakout season.
“I’m in the greatest place ever, honestly. Like you said, motivation. I see my best friend sign a max deal. I know where we came from, so that’s plenty motivation that I need. I wake up every morning and go to train, and I feel like I’m in the best shape. I don’t know. The sky is the limi,” said Russell in an interview with Michael Scotto of The Athletic.
Russell averaged 15.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists in his first year as a Net. However, he struggled with knee problems and missed 34 games.
After having surgery to remove loose bodies in his left knee, Russell is ready to bounce back. He has aspirations to be an All-Star and live up to the potential many felt he had when he was selected No. 2 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft after Karl-Anthony Towns and before Jahlil Okafor.
Russell showed that potential in his one year playing for Ohio State and had some electrifying games in his two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. His most notable game was when he put on a 39-point performance in a 107-101 victory over the Nets during his rookie campaign. Russell coined his signature “ice in my veins” celebration and totaled the most points by a Lakers rookie since Elgin Baylor scored 39 in 1959.
With Jeremy Lin shipped off the Atlanta, it is safe to assume that Russell will handle the bulk of the minutes at the point guard position for the Nets this year. A healthy Russell should be able to help the Nets improve upon the 28-54 record they posted last season, and it would help him get a lucrative contract close to the one Booker got this summer.
