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2016 NBA Rookie Ladder: D’Angelo Russell Best Rookie PG?

By Nathan Grubel

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February 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) moves the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
February 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) moves the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

5. D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers

D’Angelo Russell has gotten a bad rap for virtually no reason this year. It’s difficult to come into the NBA and establish yourself as one of the top young point guards because of everything that comes with playing the position.

Not only is Russell asked to score the basketball but he has to get his teammates involved and initiate the offense both in transition and in the halfcourt.

That’s a lot of responsibility to fall on a rookie’s shoulders, and Russell has done just fine at managing all of it.

His numbers aren’t flashy and won’t wow you, but every game he makes a pass or crafts a shot that makes you drool at his overall potential.

Is he already the best point guard in his draft class? Emmanuel Mudiay could potentially challenge him in this last leg of the season given his encouraging performance in the Rising Stars Challenge, but Mudiay’s regular and advanced statistics are nowhere near Russell’s at this stage.

Technically Mudiay has a higher ceiling because of his elite athletic tools, but he doesn’t have Russell’s pull-up game and basketball IQ. As long as he keeps working hard and learning from those around him there’s no reason Russell would get overtaken as the best floor general out of the 2015 draft.

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