D'Angelo Russell (Photo : Harry How | Getty Images Sport)
The Los Angeles Lakers are under scrutiny again as early hopes for a possible playoff berth seem to have faded.
This early into the season, the Tinseltown team is in disarray and fans are already playing the blame game. While one of the fall guys is Byron Scott, the front office and owner Jim Buss are being criticized.
One of the points of contention is the Lakers' choice for the 2nd overall pick, D'Angelo Russell. While the team was lucky it fell into their laps, were they able to maximize the opportunity?
Some critics say "No." One of them is Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders who contended that D'Angelo Russell should not be considered a bust this early.
"It's waaaayyyyy too early to call D'Angelo Russell. Remember, Russell is still a teenager and one of the reasons he was picked so high was his potential," Kennedy stated. "I do think Jahlil Okafor would've been the better pick. I said it then and I'll continue to say it. Okafor is going to be a stud and I think he was the safer, better choice. If I was the Lakers, I would've picked Okafor in a heartbeat."
It was assumed that the Lakers picking Russell over Okafor was precipitated by their pursuit of LaMarcus Aldridge. Since Aldridge did not come over, the Lakers needed to fill the void in the frontline and traded for Roy Hibbert.
Taking Okafor and then signing a shooting guard would have been an easier option, but the Lakers were really confident they had a chance with the former Portland star player.
It is safe to say that Byron Scott will get blasted for the NBA's dismal record, but there is also another reason to question his wisdom: his refusal to believe that Emmanuel Mudiay is a legitimate point guard according to Bill Oram's tweet:
"Scott said when Lakers worked out Mudiay he 'didn't think he was a true point guard' & 'didn't think he was a guy who made great decisions.'"
Also, Scott made a direct comparison in another Bill Oram tweet: "Lakers vs Nuggets on Tuesday at Staples. Scott said Mudiay would be very good, but would have to learn PG skills Russell already possessed."
Mudiay used Scott's comments as motivation, as he led the Nuggets over the Lakers 120-109. Mudiay scored 12 points and 10 assists while Russell had 7 points and 6 assists.
