Lakers In The News 6/27/2015: Jeanie Buss ushering in 'different generation' for Lakers

[Cha*n]

Lakers' D'Angelo Russell could be climbing the walls, in a good way

BY MIKE BRESNAHAN
June 27, 2015, 4:00 a.m.

Sometime between showing up for his first workout and finishing his second one for the Lakers, D'Angelo Russell had a chat with Mitch Kupchak.

The Lakers general manager pointed to the walls at the team training facility in El Segundo. His targets were obvious — the large jersey cutouts on the walls. The retired players who made a difference in Lakers history.

The symbolism might have been syrupy to a cynic. Not to Russell, a one-and-done player at Ohio State looking to make his mark on a 67-yeard old franchise a long way from his hometown of Louisville.

http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-83879210/

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How rookie D'Angelo Russell instantly changes the Lakers' attack

By Zach Harper | NBA writer
June 26, 2015 11:09 pm ET


The Los Angeles Lakers have to be perfect with their top 2015 first-round pick. While the allure of Los Angeles, its market and the Hollywood celebrity lifestyle are a big draw for many star athletes, few stars want to have portions of their careers wasted on subpar franchises when they don't have to. We're living in an era when star players are more cognizant of their legacies now more than ever.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25226463/how-rookie-dangelo-russell-instantly-changes-the-lakers-attack

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Lakers pass on acquiring DeMarcus Cousins from Sacramento

By Mark Medina, LA Daily News
POSTED: 06/25/15, 10:53 PM PDT | UPDATED: 14 HRS AGO 0 COMMENTS

The Los Angeles Lakers had the number 2 pick in the NBA draft and selected D'Angelo Russell from Ohio State Thursday, June 25, 2015, El Segundo, CA. Lakers coach Byron Scott discusses the selection of Russell with the media from the Toyota Sports Center practice facility. Photo by Steve McCrank/Staff Photographer
The Lakers endlessly debated which building block would provide the sturdiest foundation to their rebuilding project.

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20150625/lakers-pass-on-acquiring-demarcus-cousins-from-sacramento

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Lakers grab OSU’s D’Angelo Russell in NBA draft
Last updated: June 27. 2015 5:41AM - 3 Views
Greg Beacham AP Sports Writer

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Lakers are betting D’Angelo Russell is ready for Showtime.

The Lakers chose Russell with the second pick in the NBA draft on Thursday, bypassing big man Jahlil Okafor to grab the Ohio State guard with the potential for greatness.

Russell averaged 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists in his only season with the Buckeyes. Los Angeles confidently chose the dynamic ball-handler over Okafor, the Duke big man considered the draft’s other elite prospect alongside Russell and top pick Karl-Anthony Towns.


“We think his upside is unlimited, and we didn’t feel that for all the players we were considering,” general manager Mitch Kupchak said at the Lakers’ training complex. “It was clear to everybody that he was far and above, at his position, the best choice for us.”


http://www.fairborndailyherald.com/news/sports/154312487/Lakers-grab-OSUs-DAngelo-Russell-in-NBA-draft

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NBA Draft Results 2015: Review of Every Team's Grades for Rounds 1-2

By Timothy Rapp , Featured Columnist Jun 27, 2015

One player. It only takes one player to change an NBA franchise for the better part of a decade. And this year's draft, in particular, felt like it had several players who could alter organizations.

So where did the top players end up? Who graded out most favorably? What were the biggest moments of the night?

Let's break it down.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2507269-nba-draft-results-2015-review-of-every-teams-grades-for-rounds-1-2

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NBA draft: D’Angelo Russell helps put Lakers among draft’s winners

By Benjamin Hoffman
New York Times • Saturday June 27, 2015 6:30 AM


Winners
Los Angeles Lakers: D’Angelo Russell (No. 2 pick overall), Larry Nance Jr. (27), Anthony Brown (34)

Most people expected the Lakers to use the No. 2 pick on Duke center Jahlil Okafor, but with the team stacked with promising frontcourt options and LaMarcus Aldridge and Kevin Love available in free agency, the team instead secured a potential star guard in Ohio State’s Russell, who can spend a year learning from Kobe Bryant. Russell can play either guard position, has incredible court vision as a passer and can score. If the Lakers land one of the big free-agent prizes, or if Julius Randle comes back from a broken leg and dominates, this pick will look brilliant.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2015/06/27/russell-helps-put-lakers-among-drafts-winners.html

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Ryan Wolstat's NBA draft winners and losers

BY RYAN WOLSTAT, TORONTO SUN

(edit)

Lakers – We’re D’Angelo Russell believers, he’s a potential superstar and has fewer weaknesses than Jahlil Okafor. He could quickly become a top 10 point guard in a league littered with elite lead guards.

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/06/26/ryan-wolstats-nba-draft-winners-and-losers

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Lakers Rumors: Latest Trade, Free-Agent Buzz Following 2015 NBA Draft

By Thomas Duffy , Featured Columnist Jun 27, 2015

Looks like the Los Angeles Lakers are back.

Well, kind of.

With the second pick of the 2015 NBA draft, the team picked up what it hopes is the next superstar in point guard D’Angelo Russell, an electrifying 19-year-old out of Ohio State. But general manager Mitch Kupchak still has other holes to fill on the roster.

L.A. will have hoards of cap room this summer, and the team will definitely be aggressive as Kobe Bryant heads toward the final chapter of his career.

What’s the word coming out of Los Angeles? Let’s look at three of the biggest rumors swirling around.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2508289-lakers-rumors-latest-trade-free-agent-buzz-following-2015-nba-draft

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Eric Pncus aka emplay twits less than an hour ago. (currently 9am)



"Mitch Kupchak said Ed Davis wants to return - Lakers want Ed Davis to return"

[LakerDYnasty72]

Thank you for these. They make for such a rich lazy, reading day...yeah!!

[mirak]

Welcome back

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Lakers Nation Roundtable: Reactions To The 2015 NBA Draft

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The much anticipated 2015 NBA Draft has come and gone and the excitement in Los Angeles couldn’t be higher. The Los Angeles Lakers bucked tradition by taking Ohio State point guard D’Angelo Russell over Duke center, Jahlil Okafor. Both Mitch Kupchak and Byron Scott spoke highly of Russell and believe he can be a superstar in this league.

With their late first-round pick, the Lakers took athletic forward Larry Nance Jr. from Wyoming. While not the most popular pick, as he was viewed as a second-rounder at best, Nance could provide athleticism and defense for a Lakers team in dire need of both.

http://www.lakersnation.com/lakers-nation-roundtable-reactions-to-the-2015-nba-draft/2015/06/27/

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Lakers News: GM Mitch Kupchak Will Focus On Frontcourt In Free Agency

By all accounts, the Los Angeles Lakers choice with the second overall pick came down to Duke center, Jahlil Okafor and Ohio State point guard, D’Angelo Russell. The Lakers wound up going with Russell, giving the franchise another dynamic guard to team with Jordan Clarkson.

Mike TrudellVerified account
‏@LakersReporter Mitch Kupchak said the Lakers will focus on adding to the frontcourt in free agency.

http://www.lakersnation.com/lakers-news-gm-mitch-kupchak-will-focus-on-frontcourt-in-free-agency/2015/06/27/

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For some reason I can not copy and paste this article but it's worth a read.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/06/28/are-the-top-three-nba-picks-destined-for-greatness-/

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Twit's:

Mike Greenberg ✔@Espngreeny
"Of all the players I've heard the #Lakers might realistically get, the most intriguing would be DeAndre Jordan."

&

NBA free agency rumors 2015: DeAndre Jordan pursued by Clippers, Lakers, Mavericks and Bucks


DeAndre Jordan, one of the offseason's most sought after free agents, is going to have options this summer. The Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks will each send representatives to visit Jordan at his home in Houston when free agency begins Wednesday at 12:01 a.m. ET, according to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times.

Jordan put up career highs of 11.5 points and 15 rebounds per game last season, his sixth in the NBA. He may, however, have a strained relationship with Chris Paul.

According to Turner, NBA officials told the Los Angeles Times that Jordan wants to be more involved with the offense and to be an All-Star. With Paul and Blake Griffin, he's not sure he can achieve those goals.

That's music to the ears of the Lakers, Mavericks and Bucks. Those three teams won't be able to offer Jordan as much money, however. The Clippers can sign Jordan to a five-year maximum deal for $108 million. Other teams in the league with the cap space can offer Jordan a maximum deal of four years for $80 million, with an opt-out clause after the third season.

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/6/26/8855267/nba-free-agency-rumors-2015-deandre-jordan-clippers-lakers-mavericks-bucks

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Lakers' Jordan Clarkson Approves Of The Russell Pick

by Pablo Jacobo 30m ago


Fresh off the NBA Draft, Los Angeles Lakers selected D’Angelo Russell No. 2 overall. Fans erupted with joy as Commissioner Adam Silver made the announcement. Laker fans are overjoyed at the superstar potential of Russell. The 6-foot-5 PG/SG guard out of Ohio State, according to NBA experts, has the “It” factor to become a great player.

Magic Johnson approves also...

twet:


Earvin Magic Johnson
✔ ‎@MagicJohnson
Laker Nation: Congrats to Mitch Kupchak, Jim and Jeannie Buss on drafting, who I think is a future superstar in D'Angelo Russell!

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D'Angelo Russell sees Kobe Bryant as mentor to young Lakers

By Steven J. Gaither Perform Media


Many people were surprised when the Lakers went small instead of big in Thursday’s NBA Draft.

When it came time for the Lakers to pull the trigger, they chose Ohio State freshman D'Angelo Russell, who is just as efficient passing the ball as he is shooting it. In his lone college season he averaged 19.3 points per game on 44.9 percent shooting from the field and 41.1 percent shooting from the 3-point line. He also averaged 5.0 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game.

http://lasportshub.com/2015/06/27/lakers-jordan-clarkson-approves-of-the-russell-pick/

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Lakers News: Latest Free-Agency Buzz on LaMarcus Aldridge, Rajon Rondo and More


By Alec Nathan , Featured Columnist
Jun 27, 2015


In the span of a few weeks, the Los Angeles Lakers have transformed from a downtrodden lottery team to one of the biggest presumed players in NBA free agency.

While the Lakers are generally considered a premier destination for free agents year in and year out, the noise regarding their plans this summer has been deafening.

Whether it's revolved around the team's odds of signing an established superstar, spurning a divisive ball-handler or forking over cash to sign a key role player, the Lakers will have myriad decisions to make when the moving and shaking officially gets underway.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2508667-lakers-news-latest-free-agency-buzz-on-lamarcus-aldridge-rajon-rondo-and-more

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Jenkins: Lakers may try to follow Warriors’ lead

By Bruce Jenkins

Updated 6:08 pm, Saturday, June 27, 2015


Something you never thought you’d hear in the NBA: The Lakers are desperate to be just like the Warriors, and they’re willing to take major risks in the process.

“Who won the championship?” asked the Lakers’ first-round draft pick, Ohio State point guard D’Angelo Russell. “The Warriors put something beautiful together with just wings and guards. This is slowly changing into a wings and guard league.”

The Lakers would like to think so. In bypassing a chance to draft low-post craftsman Jahlil Okafor with the No. 2 overall pick, the Lakers made it clear they will build around Russell, Kobe Bryant, second-year guard Jordan Clarkson, small forward Julius Randle (coming off a fractured tibia that wrecked his rookie season) and perhaps Anthony Brown, the rookie swingman out of Stanford, with hopes of landing a power forward on the free-agent market.

http://www.sfgate.com/sports/jenkins/article/Jenkins-Lakers-may-try-to-follow-Warriors-lead-6353659.php

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If that turnaround is still a ways off, at least Lakers have started


The Lakers hope that D'Angelo Russell, right, whom they drafted with the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft on Thursday, helps the Lakers begin the climb back into the upper echelon of the league. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)


By Mark Heisler,, @markheisler on Twitter

Posted: 06/27/15, 6:07 PM PDT | Updated: 58 secs ago


Now for that Laker turnaround. ...

In, like two seasons from now, maybe, if they’re lucky.

No, they’re not about to return to the playoffs. Neither is Minnesota, which now has Karl-Anthony Towns to go with Andrew Wiggins, putting it well ahead of the Lakers.

Nevertheless, if the Lakers are to turn this around, they started with the No. 2 pick who became D’Angelo Russell.

Not that everyone like it. Tweeted the Los Angeles Times’ Bill Plaschke: “wow... crazy... wow... unreal... you’ve got to be kidding.”

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20150627/if-that-turnaround-is-still-a-ways-off-at-least-lakers-have-started

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D'Angelo Russell sees Kobe Bryant as mentor to young Lakers

NBA New Zealand By NBA New Zealand

Russell is optimistic Kobe Bryant will be a help and not a hindrance to an increasingly youthful Lakers squad.

Many people were surprised when the Lakers went small instead of big in Thursday’s NBA Draft.

When it came time for the Lakers to pull the trigger, they chose Ohio State freshman D'Angelo Russell, who is just as efficient passing the ball as he is shooting it. In his lone college season he averaged 19.3 points per game on 44.9 percent shooting from the field and 41.1 percent shooting from the 3-point line. He also averaged 5.0 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game.

http://www.sportal.co.nz/nba/dangelo-russell-lakers-kobe-bryant-nba-draft-2015/q8w7i4nqnpn211vywezx8w8zp

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2015 NBA draft recap: The five picks with the best value

June 27, 2015 by Tyler Ackerson

Each team drafted with an idea in mind. Some of those ideas made more sense to me than others: I liked Karl Anthony-Towns going number one, but I was confused when the 76ers took Jahil Okafor with the third pick. The five players below are the ones that I think bring the most value compared to where they were drafted in the 2015 NBA draft. For example I thought D’Angelo Russell was the 2nd best player in this draft class by enough that his value at number 2 was much higher than if they would have selected somebody else. For most of the others where they were selected is much lower than the were ranked on my big board.


http://isportsweb.com/2015/06/27/2015-nba-draft-recap-the-five-picks-with-the-best-value/

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Twitter


Eric Pincus
✔ ‎@EricPincus
Could see Kobe as the Lakers starting SF this season - with Russell/Clarkson - obviously team still reshaping via FA, potential trades


12:42 AM - 26 Jun 2015