Los Angeles Lakers point guard D'Angelo Russell is hopeful that someone from the young guys can turn into an All-Star player this season.
Russell, the no.2 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, recently exploded for 33 points on 13-for-19 shooting in 32 minutes to lead the Lakers to a preseason win over the Denver Nuggets in Ontario, California.
Although it's just an exhibition game, Russell told Baxter Holmes of ESPN Los Angeles that his recent scoring outburst 'means a lot' as they prepare for the upcoming season.
"We don't want to go through losing seasons. We don't want to go through rebuilding as an excuse of losing. We're rebuilding, but we still find a way to win games, and we're capable. We have the pieces. We don't have an All-Star guy or anything like that. Hopefully some potential [All-Star] guys, but we're taking everything serious."
-Jordan Clarkson will have a new role for the new-look Lakers. Head coach Luke Walton believes the former Missouri Tigers hotshot is ideal for a sixth-man role, comparing Clarkson to the likes of LaMar Odom during the Lakers championship run and Manu Ginobili throughout his career with the San Antonio Spurs, via Joey Ramirez of NBA.com.
Clarkson, who averaged 15.5 points on 43 percent FG shooting in 32 minutes per game, will likely play behind presumed starter Lou Williams at the shooting guard spot.
Nevertheless, Walton guarantees that Clarkson, who just signed a four-year, $50M extension last summer, will get significant playing time off the bench.
-Yi Jianlian is facing stiff competition for a spot on the Lakers roster. Former Kansas City Jayhawks star Thomas Robinson has been playing solid the past three seasons games. Still, many analysts believe Jianlian is a lock to stay with the Lakers because they can use his partially-guaranteed contract to entice potential trade partners.