The Lakers used the second overall pick in June’s NBA Draft on D’Angelo Russell, but they aren’t giving him fourth quarter minutes, and Russell can’t explain why.
The Lakers were blown out by Miami 101-88 on Tuesday, with the Heat leading by as much as 18 in the fourth quarter. Russell didn’t appear at all in the fourth, with coach Byron Scott preferring Lou Williams, and it’s the third time in seven games that’s happened.
Russell has no explanation, and to make matters worse, Scott isn’t giving him one.
D’Angelo Russell on playing late in games: "I’ve got to figure out what I’m doing wrong so I can correct it.”
Byron explain why?
“No."
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) November 11, 2015
Scott did give an explanation to the press, but it doesn’t make much sense.
Byron Scott said he didn’t really consider bringing D’Angelo Russell back in at the end of the game, Miami had too big of a lead.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) November 11, 2015
So Russell can’t play if the lead is too big, but he also can’t be trusted when the game is close late. If Scott doesn’t even trust Russell in fourth quarter garbage time, how is he going to develop? The Lakers have invested a significant part of their future in Russell after making him the number two pick and the team has to admit that they’re simply not contenders this year. Scott needs to stop holding back on the reins and let these guys get valuable minutes. It could prove very worthwhile for the next Lakers contender, even if it won’t now.
Of course, given Scott’s reasoning for passing on Kristaps Porzingis, it’s entirely possible that the Lakers don’t have a coherent developmental plan for anyone whatsoever.
