Da’Angelo Russell still seems a little unhappy with Magic Johnson’s comments after trading him to the Brooklyn Nets in 2017. On The Backyard Podcast, Russell addressed Johnson's stereotype of him not being a leader.
Russell said: "I remember Johnson saying something like, 'We need a leader,' and I'm already a natural leader. I've always been like that, I just didn't realize it before. Leave After being in that environment, I realized, 'Wow, this is really me. Everything he said, I was doing.'"
Russell also realized that in Brooklyn, other players wanted to play with him, which was consistent with Johnson's comments at the time were contradictory.
Russell continued: "I started to realize that my teammates really wanted to play with me. I really improved the level of the players around me. I really led my teammates off the court to organize their personal affairs and develop good eating and rest habits. Etc. I'm that person. But he just created a stereotype that I'm not that person, so I've always struggled with that."
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As for what exactly Johnson said at the time, you His now-infamous comments can be viewed below.
Johnson said: "Da'Angelo is a great player. He has the potential to be an All-Star. We want to thank him for everything he has done for us. But what I need is a leader. I also need someone who can make the other guys Someone who makes players better also requires someone that players want to play with."
At the time, Johnson was the Los Angeles Lakers' president of basketball operations, and given his position, these comments were undoubtedly harmful. Furthermore, as one of the greatest players and leaders to ever play in the NBA, clues indicate that Russell was labeled as not being a leader.
I suspect this was not Johnson's intention, he was just very direct about the reasons for his decision to pass on Russell. Another reason Johnson cited for the breakup was the infamous incident with Nick Young.
Russell secretly recorded and leaked a conversation in which Nick Young admitted to cheating on his then-fiancée Iggy Azaria. Azaria and Young broke up due to this incident, and Russell was not popular among the players. That's why Johnson mentioned wanting a guy that other players would want to play with.
Johnson talks Russell returning to Lakers
When Russell left Los Angeles in 2017, he probably never expected to play for the Lakers again. However, they traded him earlier this year to give him a second chance. Considering what he said in 2017, Johnson was asked about the Lakers acquiring Russell.
"I think D'Angelo has grown and matured. He can score, he can pass. He doesn't turn the ball over a lot. That's why I like him. His pick-and-roll with Anthony Davis is going to be special... if The Lakers can make the playoffs, and I believe they will, and no one wants to play against them. That's for sure."
Since then, he has clearly matured and become a very good role player for the Lakers. Russell currently averages 16 points, 3.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks per game, while shooting 47.8% from the field. His second stint was much better than his first and he hopes to stay with the team for the long haul.
