The Brooklyn Nets made a statement on Saturday night, beating the Boston Celtics 110-96 at home behind 29 points and 10 assists from D'Angelo Russell. The All-Star guard continues to have a breakout season for the Nets while helping the team keep their playoff hopes alive.
After the game, Russell sent a strong message to his doubters.
After dropping 29 points in a big win over the Celtics, D’Angelo Russell asked about his raised reputation in the NBA: “Everybody was wrong obviously. Everybody was wrong about me. I don’t have to say anything.”
— Stefan Bondy (@SBondyNYDN) March 31, 2019
D'Angelo Russell, the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, was considered by a lot of people as a bust following his underwhelming two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. When the Purple and Gold traded him to the Nets in 2017, Lakers' president of basketball operations Magic Johnson said the team needed a leader.
Although his first season with the Nets was a bit shaky, D'Lo continued to work his way into becoming the leader of the team, and obviously, his efforts paid off. He is averaging 20.8 points and 7.0 assists with the Nets this season.
He was also selected as an All-Star for the first time in his career, and Brooklyn is seemingly on their way to clinching a playoff spot. Russell undoubtedly became the leader that Magic never thought he was.
The win against the Celtics puts the Nets within half a game behind the Detroit Pistons for the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference. It also allowed them to have some breathing room, as they are now one game above the eighth-seeded Miami Heat.
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