The 2015-16 season was tough on rookie D'Angelo Russell. Not only did the Los Angeles Lakers halt all of their plans in terms of player development in order to honor the retirement of Kobe Bryant, but there was also the issue of losing his starting role in the middle of the regular season, as well as having a much-publicized feud with his teammate, Nick Young. Now, the second-year guard is looking to put it all behind him and focus on basketball.

After his impressive showing so far in the preseason, Russell is finally starting turn some heads with averages of 17.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 29.5 minutes per game. Russell also has the trust of head coach Luke Walton, who is looking to utilize him more this season.

Now that he is being set-up for success in a system he feels he can flourish in, there's no excuse for last year's second overall pick not to have a breakout season. He also has his eyes set on contending for an award that will definitely drop the “bust” label some have prematurely tagged him with.

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Of course, Russell has other awards in mind as well like an MVP award and an NBA Championship, but those won't be happening for at least a couple years.

Russell averaged 13.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists for the Lakers in his rookie campaign last year

If the 6'3″ guard continues his impressive showing in the regular season, he will most likely be among the top candidates for the Most Improved Player award. In order to get to that point, the first thing he'll need to understand is how he can become a team player who can run the offense and make his teammates better. Even if the season doesn't result in an award, Russell can still show everyone that he has matured both as an individual and as a professional. He'll be a winner and leader-in-the-making in the eyes of those who doubted him last year.