D’Angelo RussellWHO JJ Redick joined the Lakers’ second unit earlier within the day Friday, responded with 18 factors for a bench that desperately wanted offensive punch and helped the Lakers beat Philadelphia 116-106.
“I simply wished to win,” Russell mentioned in his first response after the match. “So no matter it’s, change of plans, no matter it’s, no matter coach wants, attempt to get the win and be part of it.”
In every of his subsequent two responses, he repeated the phrase.
“I simply wish to win,” he mentioned.
Study extra: JJ Redick’s essential resolution pays off in Lakers’ win over 76ers
Russell, within the ultimate yr of a two-year, $36 million contract, obtained off to a gradual begin this season below Redick’s offense whereas taking fewer photographs per recreation than at any level in his profession . His utilization fee can also be at a profession low.
“I believe simply attempting to make myself a part of what we’re attempting to do. And that’s the match. That’s what I’ve been attempting to determine,” Russell mentioned. “However so far as taking all of this personally and supplying you with one thing, I actually don’t have anything. My strategy has been to be skilled from day one. And I decide to that by not enjoying, coming off the bench, no matter it’s. I’m with out ego.
“So I simply wish to win.”
Redick’s resolution got here after benching Russell for a lot of the second half in the course of the crew’s lopsided loss to Memphis to finish their five-game street journey. The Lakers misplaced 4 of these video games.
He mentioned the lineup change was “easy.”
Friday in opposition to Philadelphia, Reddick began Cam Reddish. Reddish gave the Lakers extra measurement and physicality defensively and Russell responded with certainly one of his finest capturing nights of the season.
“I assumed each of these guys performed the roles they’d tonight. Cam took one shot in 27 minutes however had a big impact on the sport defensively. Paul Georges I by no means began at any level within the recreation,” Redick mentioned. “…After which for D-Lo, I assumed he began in that function as properly. A giant noise for us coming off the bench. A extremely efficient night for him. And he simply performed actually good basketball.
The change mirrors strikes the Lakers took a yr in the past when he was then coach. Darvin Ham benched Austin Reavesand later Russell, with the objective of getting extra protection within the beginning lineup and extra offensive juice with the bench.
The Lakers are 29 years previousth within the NBA with 21.9 bench factors per recreation. They’re additionally final in rebounds and assists from bench gamers.
After Friday’s win, Redick praised the group for its elevated power and energy, two areas he referred to as out after their loss to the Grizzlies.
In Russell, Redick has lengthy mentioned he cast a robust bond with the previous All-Star guard and acquired full buy-in. Friday was no completely different.
“I am not stunned he approached the sport the way in which he did and had the efficiency he had,” Redick mentioned. “Once more, we requested him to do issues. He… accepted the function. He talked to me on a regular basis. He has a really robust want to win and he has a really robust want to be coached. And our stage of communication on June 20th [the day Redick was hired] till in the present day, has solely been open, sincere and clear. And I think it is going to proceed to be so.
“However he simply got here to our assembly in the present day, simply with knowledgeable, nice perspective, no matter you need. And we see it on a regular basis within the league the place guys can take it badly. Prefer it was some form of punishment – like enjoying the sufferer – and D-Lo did not do any of that. And that’s a part of the rationale he had the sport he had.
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This story was initially revealed in Los Angeles Instances.
