44 points, 39 points! The NBA's most underrated player is born, and you are the fig leaf for the Lakers
The Lakers have had a rough season, with the play-offs and even two games in a row to qualify for the playoffs.
Otherwise, this season's strength is far from reaching the level of the Nuggets and Celtics, even if the poor record last season is attributed to Wei Shao, and last season is classified as injury, but who should be attributed to this season? It can be seen that the Lakers are struggling to play games with James and Thick Eyebrows as the core, especially in the regular season. If you want to win, the team's three leaders are more important, I think the Lakers' three leaders this season is Russell, he has become a fig leaf for the Lakers, why do you say that?
Russell has been questioned this season, and as the trade deadline approached, Russell was almost used by Lakers management to trade for Murray for the Hawks. Is Russell really that bad? How has he been this season? In my opinion, among the point guards with an annual salary of more than 10 million, only the Celtics' White is better than Russell, and everyone else has to step aside. Russell signed a two-year $36 million contract with the Lakers in the offseason, and the Lakers picked up a bargain. Let's take an in-depth look at Russell's offense and defense this season.
On the offensive end, Russell averaged 18 points + 6.3 assists + 3 rebounds + 0.8 steals + 0.5 blocks per game, with an overall shooting rate of 46.7%, hitting 2.9 three-pointers per game, and a three-point shooting rate of 42.3%. It can be said that Russell's projection level this season is second only to players like Curry and Allen, and it is also the second best. Russell can shoot with the ball, and he can also catch the ball and shoot quick three-pointers, which is very useful. Russell's rhythm is also very good, he can also shoot mid-range, throwing, fast break and other technical means are proficient, the most important thing is that he also has a precise pass, let him be the core of at least 8.5 assists per game, he can make LeBron more effortless, reduce physical exertion.
However, Russell's defense is really not good, his body is relatively thin, weighing only 87 kilograms, but his height and reach are okay compared to players in the same position. Russell's single defense ability is poor, and he can't defend himself at all when he encounters small steel cannon types like Murray and Brunson, and he is also one step when he encounters Fox, which also indirectly causes a certain amount of defensive pressure on Brother Thick Mei and Hayes. Russell's defensive enthusiasm is also not very high, and his defensive habits are not good, often paying fouls, and often having some ineffective defenses. However, Russell's defensive ability is seriously underrated, his sense of defensive judgment is okay, and he is in the middle and upper reaches of the guard ranks to protect rebounds. All things considered, Russell's defense was really substandard.
Russell also had a very bright performance this season, playing the Bucks he shot 17 of 25 from the field, blasting 44 points + 9 assists + 6 rebounds + 1 block, breaking Lillard and breaking the Bucks' defensive line. Playing Jazz, he also shot 15 of 26 and scored 39 points + 8 assists + 3 rebounds + 1 steal, which was very efficient. In my opinion, Russell has been grossly underrated this season, with many fans seeing him as the heart of the Lakers, as if he should be turning the tide and becoming a player like Booker. But I don't think so, Russell has a salary of more than 10 million, you can't ask him to do too much, we should watch his game with a perspective of more than 10 million. Russell has also saved the Lakers a lot this season, and if it weren't for him, the Lakers are not ranked as good as the Warriors, and he might be a fig leaf for the Lakers.
Russell is indeed an X factor for the Lakers to win the championship, in the playoffs, he is not afraid of any team, but he is afraid of encountering a strong confrontation like the Nuggets, Brother Thick Mei does not have an advantage, and Russell does not have an advantage. If Russell can perform like this in the regular season, then the Lakers still have hope, and if they are still as inefficient as they were in the playoffs last year, then the Lakers will send it again.
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