D’Angelo Russell, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft averaged 13.2 points on 41.0 percent shooting with 3.3 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game in 28.2 minutes a night.
Russell became the youngest player in NBA history to make 120+ three-pointers in a season, finishing with 130 triples on 35.1 percent from long range, and surpassed the rookie mark set by Nick Van Exel (123) as well. He went off for 39 points in a March 1 win over Brooklyn, the 14th highest scoring effort by a rookie since 2000, hitting a Lakers rookie record eight three pointers.
Below is a summary of his exit interview:
On his meeting with Mitch Kupchak and Byron Scott:
Russell: “It was great. It was more getting on the same page on plans for the summer, coming back prepared for a great season.”
On the season:
Russell: “There have been ups and downs. Very surprising season with the retirement (Kobe) … we made the best out of what we could possibly do with it. I think a lot of people’s abilities were challenged. Next year you’ll get a better feeling for what everybody is capable of. Coaches, players, everybody … I feel like (this year) was just a warm up."
On his offseason focus: Russell said he needs to get in the weight room this summer due to all the strong guards in the league, and wants to work more on his post game, being a bigger guard, to take advantage of what he can. He feels he has length on many point guards, and wants to make that even more of a strength, maybe even running the offense out of the post at times to get guys good shots.
On Kobe’s 60-point finale:
Russell: “It was crazy. You could tell it was something Lakers Nation fans are used to, so (nothing else is acceptable). Every shot needed to be documented … you can’t really put your finger on what was going on. There’s been a lot of success through this organization, what people are used to … That game was a prime example of Kobe. He’s put on some of the greatest performances of any players."
On making strides for next season:
Russell: “There’s a lot of stuff I didn’t know going into this year. Now, at the end of the year, I know what I need to work on, I know what I have to do to be a better player. I feel like the sky is the limit … just working hard. Your mentality going into every game.”
Russell thinks the young guys can gain a big step by playing more together next year: “Every night we all felt like we had to prove something individually. Next year we have to prove it as a team.” That’s a good start, and it’s understandable why young players felt that way coming into the NBA, particularly on a roster still featuring Kobe in his send-off season.
On Kobe’s message to the team:
Russell: “It was, ‘You have to give all you’ve got going into the offseason. Failure is not an option in this organization.’ You can be replaced just like that. Every offseason, (Kobe) dedicated himself to be the best he could possibly be. He knew at the end that he gave it his all so he didn’t have anything else left to do.” Russell said he’s inspired by that message and Kobe’s work ethic, and will have to show it moving forward."
Russell described how Kobe said “Thank you” to the four young Lakers when the gathered at midcourt near the end of the fourth quarter. Russell was thinking, ‘Thank YOU … What are you thanking us for?”
On if he’s been able to rebuild some trust among his teammates after the incident with Nick Young:
Russell: “I don’t feel like I lost my teammates’ trust. I can’t be funny, goofy, happy go lucky all the time. People were probably laughing with me, now they’re laughing at me. I have to pick and choose when I do me. I feel like my teammates have been very supportive, and Kobe’s done a great job of being here for me. My incident was so small compared to his retirement, his last game, everything, that last game. His success kind of made me forget about a lot.”