Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell sees himself in teammate Cam Reddish, explaining to reporters on Saturday that he felt like he was “judged” early in his career because he didn’t really know “how to be a professional.” Reddish, who is on his fourth team in five seasons, faced similar questions during his early years in the league, so Russell has tried to take him under his wing in Los Angeles, as Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times details.
“Forget the past and just change your approach and try to work on your professionalism and how you carry yourself,” Russell said in explaining what he has told Reddish. “Understand the perception of you and what they say, what it looks like. Just understanding that as a young player. As a young player, it takes you to bump your head a few times to realize your perception.”
Reddish wasn’t necessarily projected to be a regular part of the Lakers’ rotation entering the season, but an injury to Jarred Vanderbilt has helped open up a spot for him. The former lottery pick has logged 29 minutes in his first two games as a Laker, though he says he’s not taking that playing time for granted.
“Like, your role could change every day in the NBA,” Reddish said. “Injuries, a lot of things that can go into it. I just try to stay ready in all aspects, prepare for anything, prepare for the worst. Whatever my role is that night, that’s what it is and I do it to the best of my ability.”
Here’s more on the NBA’s two Los Angeles teams:
- The Lakers‘ G League affiliate – the South Bay Lakers – traded for the rights to forward Jack White, the No. 1 pick in Saturday’s NBAGL draft. According to the team (Twitter link), the cost to acquire White was the rights to Teafale Lenard Jr. (Saturday’s No. 2 overall pick) and first- and second-round picks in the 2024 G League draft. White played for Denver last season and was in camp with Oklahoma City this fall.
- As Law Murray of The Athletic observes, the Clippers went to a nine-man rotation in their second game of the season on Friday after using 10 players in Wednesday’s opener. The odd man out was offseason acquisition Kenyon Martin Jr., who played 14 minutes on Wednesday but was a DNP-CD on Friday. That doesn’t necessarily mean Martin won’t see regular playing time going forward, but there will be even fewer minutes to go around once Terance Mann (ankle) returns.
- Clippers forward Marcus Morris didn’t accompany the team on its trip to Utah on Friday, according to Murray. Morris has been a healthy scratch in each of L.A.’s first two games, and a source tells The Athletic that his status on the road will be determined “one trip at a time.”
Only way Reddish sticks in the league is getting consistent with his 3P shot. Otherwise, this is probably his last real shot, some non-guaranteed deals or overseas. Hope he produces, had high hopes out of college.
I actually think his best attribute could be as a wing defender if he ever set his mind fully to it
Big leap there as I don’t think he’s mentally prepared today ( maybe Ever ) to fully accept that side of the court as a boon for him instead of just an obligation
Newho the D the first 2 games has been very good/ active so far
He’s shown flashes of both shooting and defense, as well as the ability to create his own shot. Just never consistently. That’s always been his knock.
Should of kept Lenard Jr
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell sees himself in teammate Cam Reddish, explaining to reporters on Saturday that he felt like he was “judged” early in his career because he didn’t really know “how to be a professional.”
He still doesn’t know how be a professional. Learn to play D and make better decisions. It’s a team game. Nobody gives a ?!$& about your feelings. An NBA professional athlete is at his best. For 10-12 yrs, if you are lucky. A professional gives his best for those yrs.
Cam is a young fool. Who thinks he’s made it. Cause he has an NBA contract. At 24 yrs old. His time is running out. Talented with no cojones ……
Dude has definitely made it lol millions of dollars at 20 years old id say hes pretty set a far beyond most 20 year olds…
Yeah Dlo isn’t really the poster child for maturity or accepting a role…
He’s very adept at pointing the finger… That his version of defence…
“Hey see that open player I was supposedly guarding, go guard them..”
Nailed it
Dlo First team All-NBA FCYM: Forget to Cover Your Man
Typing DLo and “mentor” together may short my phone out
That’s funny lol …..
Rockets are going to miss Martin Jr
Dlo is so out of touch with reality…
What did he learn?
Not to rat out your team mates for cheating on their spouses?
Because he certainly hasn’t learnt much that translates to good team chemistry or effort on defence…