Brooklyn Nets: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season
By Simon Smith
2. D’Angelo Russell wins NBA’s Most Improved Player Award
It’s not often that a No. 2 overall draft selection is traded away before reaching their 22nd birthday. But such was the case this past summer when the Nets acquired Russell from the Los Angeles Lakers.
Russell’s two seasons in Los Angeles lakers weren’t without frustration. In his rookie season, then Lakers head coach Byron Scott played the role of a strict disciplinarian, and as a result Russell saw his playing time limited on a number of occasions, including coming off the bench on 32 occasions.
However, despite improving across the board, the Lakers deemed Russell expendable due to the arrival of another No. 2 overall selection in Lonzo Ball. With Ball anointed their future floor general, the Lakers wiped their hands clean off Russell, which included a parting shot from their new president of basketball operations, Magic Johnson.:
"“He has the talent to be an All-Star. We want to thank him for what he did for us. But what I needed was a leader. I needed somebody also that can make the other players better and also [somebody] that players want to play with.”"
So moving forward this season, Russell has two major factors in his corner. Firstly, and whether or not he states it in public, Russell will clearly be using his dumping from the Lakers as motivation. As he stated recently ahead of the Nets’ summer camp:
"“I want teams to hate us….Me coming in with a chip on my shoulder….I feel like we’re going to blend together and we’re going to be a great team….Everybody is circled on my calendar. Everybody.”"
Furthermore, a fresh start with the full confidence of his new team will provide Russell every opportunity to reach his full potential. As coach Atkinson stated over the offseason:
"“I thought he was just looking for a fresh start. So we’re like a fresh program, fresh start, and I really hope that can jumpstart him.”"
So a combination of motivation, and a fresh start, should lead to a highly productive year for Russell and the Nets alike.