It's time for everyone to cut D'Angelo Russell some slack

D’Angelo Russell made a big mistake his rookie season that has consistently put him under fire from players, executives and analysts.

D’Angelo Russell was the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft at just 19 years old. His rookie season he infamously had a bad altercation with veteran guard Nick Young aka ‘Swaggy P’. The rookie made a career altering mistake jokingly recording his teammate admitting to cheating on his fiance.

Somehow the video leaked to the entire world, as most things tend to do on the internet. The Lakers team revolted against Russell and many thought he would be traded that same season.

This mistake created a lot of buzz around Russell’s leadership ability, his real value and even his ability to be a teammate.

Fast forward a year and Russell has just closed out his best year yet. Finishing the year averaging 15.6 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.5 rebound per game while shooting slightly over 40% from the field and 35% from behind the arc.

This was STILL not enough to keep Russell a Laker as he was recently traded to the Brooklyn Nets. Magic Johnson, the president of operations for the Lakers, was quoted saying:

"“D’Angelo is an excellent player, he has the talent to be an All-Star. We want to thank him for what he did for us. But what I needed was a leader. I needed somebody also that can make the other players better and also that players want to play with.”"

Two years later and the one stupid mistake the 19-year-old kid made is still haunting his career. Possibly forever changing his perceived image among millions of NBA followers, owners, and coaches…that is except Sean Marks.

"“I’m not concerned about the maturity and so forth. What I am concerned about is what he brings and what our culture is, and how we can help develop him as a basketball player and a young man.”"

Finally someone with a little common sense that is approaching this situation rationally.

What Russell did was definitely not great, but it was a mistake. A mistake that cannot outweigh his potential. He was the number two selection in the NBA draft taken over Kristaps Porzingis and Jahlil Okafor.

Many people forget that the kids drafted into the NBA are still in fact kids. How many of you can say you’ve never made a mistake in your young days?

How about a mistake that could impact your image among millions?

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At the end of the day D’Angelo Russell will mature just like any other young man would as he grows up. Getting drafted at 19 and given millions of dollars to perform in LA, one of the biggest markets in the NBA, can be extremely overwhelming for any player.

One lapse of maturity cannot be the only reason the Lakers were willing to move on. I have a hard time believing that the Mozgov contract wasn’t the main reason behind trading Russell, regardless of what Magic says.

I’m don’t mean to make excuses for Russell as I understand what he did wasn’t right. The fact is, he tried his best to own up to his mistake and make things right.

If the Lakers aren’t willing to forgive, the Nets certainty are. As he switches gears to the Brooklyn culture, he seems to be leaving the Hollywood drama behind him.

"“Wherever they put me, I am going to take advantage of it to the fullest, and that’s me being the leader right away, I am looking forward to the challenge. You saying my leadership is being questioned, this is an opportunity to make the best out of it.”"

Coach Kenny Atkinson and GM Sean Marks are known for fostering a team environment that gets the best from its players. Russell will be welcomed to Brooklyn with open arms as long as he retains that mentality.

Watch as D’Angelo Russell blows up next year using all of the hate to fuel his best year yet.

It’s time for everyone to cut D’Angelo Russell some slack

By Ryan Muhlstock | Jun 28, 2017

D’Angelo Russell made a big mistake his rookie season that has consistently put him under fire from players, executives and analysts.

More from Nothin' But Nets