Los Angeles Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell has been playing considerably harder than usual in recent Lakers preseason tilts, and it has caught the attention of the team’s beat writers over the last few days. Asked about that renewed dedication to doing all of the little things that help winning for Los Angeles, Russell revealed he’s been modeling his approach after that of Boston Celtics guard Derrick White.
“If I look crazy … picking up guys full court, doing all that, that’s what I want to be,” explained Russell via CLNS Media. “My inspiration has been Derrick White; I want to be (like) Derrick White.”
“He doesn’t get a lot of credit for what he does and makes all the winning plays, and that’s where I want to be,” he added.
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We are admittedly biased in favor of White here at the Celtics Wire but believe this is exactly the sort of perspective Russell can use to breathe new life into his career as a floor general. Also, an L.A. roster that can use such an attitude as they try to contend in a stacked Western Conference.
But we also think White being the Celtics’ best-kept secret in that regard is already starting to break down in terms of the “secret” part; we think by the end of the reason plenty more point guards in the league will try leaning on his example.
And we think he’ll be getting plenty of credit for it, too.
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