It’s fair to say that Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell did not have the best of rookie seasons. According to him, though, that’s for the best.
Plagued by issues both on and off the court, Russell believes that it will all make him stronger in the long term.
“I’m glad it all happened. Honestly,” Russell told Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. “I’m glad I went through all those — I don’t know — all those adversities, different sets of adversities. I think it shows your true character. It’ll only make me stronger.”
Russell is excited to work under new coach Luke Walton, who is a big believer in the young guard, and though he is in China on an NBA trip, he is motivated to get better.
“Every day. Every day,” Russell said, when asked how often he worked out. “I actually said I wasn’t going to take this trip if I couldn’t. The only other place I’ve been to out of the country is Mexico, and China is my second place. So I didn’t want to go if I couldn’t get the time in the gym.
“I feel like I have something to prove, man. It’s a dedication thing.”
Russell had his share of difficulties with coach Byron Scott, and his season only got worse when his teammates ostracized him for this infamous video. It sounds like he’s trying to take those lessons with him as he gets older and puts this behind him.
