Rivalry in the making: D'Angelo vs Lonzo
The Los Angeles Lakers have drafted the UCLA star point guard Lonzo Ball in their 2nd pick during the NBA Draft. Almost everyone new that the Lakers would pick Lonzo Bill due to his resemblance of former Lakers superstar Magic Johnson. Most basketball analysts have viewed Ball as a Jason Kidd type of player with a better shooting touch coming in the NBA draft.
Two years ago, the Lakers selected D'Angelo Russell in the 2015 NBA draft, he was also drafted as the number two pick. Before, Russell was viewed to be an upcoming great point guard with also great passing skills. Fast forward to 2017, D'Angelo have showed glimpses of his potential but not much about is passing, but more on his scoring game. It was perceived by a lot of Lakers fans that both Russell and Ball could be the future backcourt of the storied Lakers franchise.
A few days before the NBA draft, the Lakers traded Russell and the large contract of Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets for former all star Brook Lopez. D'Angelo Russell during his time with the Lakers is somewhat perceived to be an emotional player that lacks maturity and leadership. The Brooklyn Nets could develop Russell into the franchise player potential that he could become. Meanwhile in LA, Lonzo Ball is the most hyped rookie that the NBA world has ever seen and it is yet to be determined if he could bring back the Lakers into the promise land just like what Lavar Ball (Lonzo Ball's father) has been saying to the media.A few days before the NBA draft, the Lakers traded Russell and the large contract of Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets for former all star Brook Lopez. D'Angelo Russell during his time with the Lakers is somewhat perceived to be an emotional player that lacks maturity and leadership. The Brooklyn Nets could develop Russell into the franchise player potential that he could become. Meanwhile in LA, Lonzo Ball is the most hyped rookie that the NBA world has ever seen and it is yet to be determined if he could bring back the Lakers into the promise land just like what Lavar Ball (Lonzo Ball's father) has been saying to the media.
D'Angelo's future games against his former team could be great for us NBA fans as we see glimpses of the future rivalries of two great and very talented point guards between Russell and Ball. In my opinion, the Lakers would have the advantage against the Brooklyn Nets, but we should not take anything away from D'Angelo Russell, this guy could really turn into something like Damian Lillard or Kyrie Irving if he perserveres.