JJ Redick: D’Angelo Russell Among Lakers ‘Most Vocal Leaders’ amid 4-2 Start

Jack MurrayNovember 2, 2024

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The Los Angeles Lakers are getting strong leadership qualities from veteran guard D’Angelo Russell.

Following the 131-125 victory over the Toronto Raptors Friday night, head coach JJ Redick praised Russell’s commitment to being a leader for the 4-2 Lakers.

“He’s been one of the most vocal leaders on our team,” Redick said, per Khobi Price of the Orange County Register. “And that goes back to before training camp on the days he was in the gym. It’s one of the challenges I gave him the first day he came to the gym, and he was using his voice. He was energetic and we talked about it afterwards. And I said, ‘That’s gotta be your standard. That’s gotta be who you are every day, regardless if shots are going in or not, or if you get subbed out at the end of a game.'”

Russell scored 19 points and had six assists and three rebounds in 32 minutes during the victory over the Raptors. He is averaging 12.2 points, 5.8 assists and 2.3 rebounds in six games thus far.

The Lakers will hope he can continue the solid play and carve out a role as a leader on a roster that already relies heavily on LeBron James and Anthony Davis to carry the load.

It’s also a team featuring a first-time head coach in Redick and multiple developing pieces in Bronny James and Dalton Knecht that could learn from Russell’s experience, even with James expected to spend some time in the G-League.

Russell and the Lakers will look to improve to 5-2 on Monday when they face the Detroit Pistons.