Los Angeles Lakers Summer League Review: The Rookies

D’Angelo Russell … is going to be just fine.

Did D’Angelo Russell silence the rumblings from the Los Angeles Lakers faithful with a 21-point performance in the Summer League finale? Probably not.

But, regardless of what panic-prone supporters of the Lakers think, the story on Russell has yet to be written. Actually, it’s just beginning, because, you know, it’s Summer League.

Russell’s 37.7 percent shooting and 11.8 percent three-point shooting averages for five Summer League games aren’t going to be worth putting on his career resumé. But, that’s not where a future stud builds their legacy.

The point of Summer League is development, and it’s safe to say Russell progressed as the games went on.

He treated us to a nice scoring night in the Lakers’ final game of the event, but his passes often stole the show. Teammates weren’t even ready for some of the wizardry that the guard attempted, but when he connected, the results were thrilling.

Breathe, Lakers fans. Everything will be fine. Russell isn’t a bust because of a few poor games in what ultimately amounts to a week of organized practice.

Jahlil Okafor, the guy at the epicenter of the “OMG Russell is terrible, Lakers blew it!” stance that many fans have taken, was probably the best NBA-ready player in the draft. Russell was not.

That doesn’t mean that Russell can’t develop into an All-Star. But, he’s 19 years old, and it’s going to take time. He’s shown flashes of his skill that shows he’s a truly gifted basketball player, and he will develop into a great player over time.

Whether the current structure of the Lakers is the staff that will see that potential to it’s fulfillment is another question entirely, but one thing is clear: D’Angelo Russell will be fine.

Next: Larry Nance Jr.