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Los Angeles Lakers: Bold Predictions For 2016-17 Season

By Carter Johnson

Mar 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D Angelo Russell (1) celebrates with Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (left) after making a shot during the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Lakers won 107-101. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D Angelo Russell (1) celebrates with Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (left) after making a shot during the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Lakers won 107-101. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 7, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) reacts after making a shot against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 118-115. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) reacts after making a shot against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 118-115. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

D’Angelo Russell Has A Breakout Season

D’Angelo Russell has quickly become one of the feel-good stories of Summer ’16.

After a rough end to a tumultuous rookie season marred with inconsistent play, inexplicable benchings and a ridiculous locker room scandal, Russell is letting his play do the talking so far this summer — and it’s speaking volumes.

A year after struggling in the association’s Summer League, Russell came back and dominated, leading the way for the young Lakers squad with averages of 21.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game on shooting splits of .477/.400/.714 through four games.

Granted, these numbers were against rookies, sophomores and guys looking to get a contract offer, but then Russell went to the Team USA Training Camp and showed he didn’t have trouble putting buckets up on those guys either.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIBPZHXjA_K/?taken-by=lakersworld16

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIGVt3TgHEq/?taken-by=lakers

The young point guard slowly came into his own towards the end of his rookie season, showing a command of the game and scoring prowess that eluded him at its start.

Now, Russell seems to not only have mastered the pace of the NBA game but also appears to be evolving into an absolutely lethal scorer with a sweet shooting stroke, unique size, craftiness and the mentality of a cold-blooded assassin in crunch time.

Factor in his phenomenal facilitating skills, solid rebounding and sneaky athleticism and you have the makings of a potential star point guard.

However, what’s really come across from Russell is that he wants to prove himself badly and is putting in the work it takes to bear the load of the next Lakers star.

At the rate he’s developing and the hunger he’s displaying, fans should be ready for a breakout season from their franchise point guard.

Next: Larry! Larry!

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