LA LAKERS

Before I start I am in no way advocating we trade or bench him or anything. As the team is currently structured he holds the most weight IMO, and the team will go as far as he goes (although I would def entertain an argument for Randle as that player).

Its very clear that Luke has structured the offense around Russell in the same way GSW offense was structured around Curry last year (a knockdown shooter who creates as much offensive spacing with the fear of his 3 as he does with his playmaking and passing). Watching the games its pretty obvious that each impactful player has a handful plays that gets ran for them every so often, but Russell is supposed to be that ever present threat the entirety that he is on the court, and that is just not happening right now. He plays increasingly nonchalant and its pretty aggravating because the nucleus of every young team should be hunger and hustle. Nance, Black, Clarkson, Trob even Swag this year are fighting their hearts out and I just don't see it from the 2 most talented young players (DLO Julius). He routinely takes plays off on both sides of the court and is often very uninvolved in plays that are not ran for him.

Just look at some game film of Curry last year, I know its a hard comparison to make because Curry went ape shit last year, but he is always active on offense, always making defenders shit themselves after he runs off screens or finds some space. Personally I think Curry's activity was his most important talent last year (its down this year and his numbers show it). For an offense built on spacing and moving without the ball, our deadliest player is not getting the full benefits of an offense structured around him.

I cant tell if hes still not in nba shape or hurt, not comfortable with nba defenders guarding him, or just doesn't want it that bad but something is definitely off with him. First 20 games you could see the blueprint Luke has was working. Dlo was crushing it and was on his way to becoming one of the best young pgs in the game. Recently something is going on and it stinks. He def has some showboat/cockiness in him (boarding on being a dickhead) so I can def see the stardom and LA-ness getting to his head. What're your thoughts laker lovers?

EDIT: Btw anyone who thinks I am comparing Russell and Curry as players is not understanding the point. That is an idiotic comparison and not the point of the thread. Dlo's role in an offense molded after Golden State's is about the only thing comparable between the two. Yes, I am aware Curry is 27-28 and spent more years in college and isn't 20. A 15 second glimpse at their bios brings that kind of insight.