Brooklyn Nets 2017-18 player previews: D’Angelo Russell

Entering the 2017-18 season, no player will be looked at more by fans than D’Angelo Russell. The flashy guard has his ways to go. But he should be in for a big year in his first season with Brooklyn.

2016-17 Season Stats: 15.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 4.8 APG, 40 FG%, 35 3P%, 63 games

What is it like to be told you’re the future of a franchise, then traded to pave the way for someone else? We may not know, but D’Angelo Russell does. Russell was of course traded to the Brooklyn Nets in late June to make way for Lonzo Ball, the Lakers’ new starting point guard.

Russell also was criticized by Lakers’ President of basketball operations and legend Magic Johnson. Johnson criticized Russell’s ability to be a leader. He would say that Russell is immature and doesn’t possess the qualities of a leader. But Russell had a response for Johnson on Adrian Wojnarowski’s “Woj Pod”:

"“I didn’t know what the reason behind it was. I’m off your hands. I have nothing to do with you, I’m on a new team. I didn’t understand the comment, I still don’t."

Russell has shown this hasn’t fazed him however. If anything Russell has exemplified that this is merely motivation for him going forward. Late night training sessions nearly two days after arriving in Brooklyn were just an example of that.

Russell has a chance to prove any and all of his doubters wrong. And that is exactly what he will do in Brooklyn. Russell should fit in quickly with the Nets, since it is a no pressure situation. Even if he doesn’t fit in quickly, it’s okay as there’s no pressure. Time is not of the essence currently.

Even in a situation that was not exactly ideal for Russell, the early returns have been eye opening in his two years in the league. In years one and two, Russell has put up better stars per 36 minutes than this year’s two MVP candidates, Russell Westbrook and James Harden, in their first and second years.

People also forget that Russell is extremely young. Russell was averaging over 13 points per game and hitting game winners at the age of 19. At that same age Magic Johnson wasn’t even in the NBA. Russell now is in year three and is looking to take his game up one more step with the new and previously mentioned fresh start he will receive in Brooklyn. He is not only young but bigger when it comes to the guard position. Russell measures in a six-foot-five-inches and that is a big plus for a Nets team that likes to run. Not only will head coach Kenny Atkinson be able to use Russell in small ball lineups, but at times the team needs to go big as well.

Russell also shown and has mentioned that he has grown. He is more mature. Also that he is ready to get to work and just focus on Brooklyn and playing basketball in the borough. Nets GM Sean Marks has also shown that he isn’t worried about the maturity level of Russell, and that it is not something on his mind.

"“But 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.”"

Marks also mentioned that he is obviously aware of Russell’s talent. He was confident in the Russell trade.

"“When you’re able to get a talent like that in your gym, you’re excited about that. Kenny [Atkinson], the players … they’re excited about getting a young player with a lot of upside,’’ Marks said. “Any time we get Kenny and his coaching staff’s hands on somebody, who knows where it goes …”"

Looking at the early returns of Russell, Marks is absolutely correct. Russell’s first two seasons are in the history books. While they don’t include many awards and no hardware, Russell’s numbers were great. He put up stats some future Hall of Famers couldn’t even touch in their first two seasons. A turbulent first two seasons for Russell saw him average over 26 points and eight assists per 100 possessions. These are eye popping numbers considering only LeBron James and Kyrie Irving accomplished that at the age of 20. 

While the front office has seemed excited, they’re going to give Russell as much time as he needs to develop. As mentioned earlier, time is not currently of the essence in Brooklyn. The Nets are not going to rush anything. They will likely let Russell become the leader as they search for assets.

As for as expectations go for Russell this season, while many have high hopes, Russell necessarily doesn’t need to meet those expectations. The Nets are focusing on the big picture and the long term success of the team. This very well can be a learning curve year for Russell, and the Nets are aware of that. Russell will either average a little more than he did last season, or he will come out with ‘Ice in his Veins,’ every night. There will be no in between. Let’s hope for the latter option.

With that all that said, both sides know what they’re getting into this season. The Nets and Russell know that he is currently the future of the franchise. He’s got a lot to learn before becoming a star in this league, but has shown he may have not even cracked the surface of his potential yet. A fun, energizing player who can shoot the lights out is exactly what the Nets can use. Russell has already garnered a huge cult following. He will bring life and new fans to the borough.

With Jeremy Lin by his side in the backcourt, maturity and focus won’t be an issue for Russell. Russell is now undoubtedly the heart and soul of the team and franchise, so the Nets are hoping he can put his previous problems aside him and learn from his veteran sidekick.

But he still has some growing to do and some time to go before transforming into a star in the league. But Russell does possess qualities that only some Hall of Famers before him has also possessed. If the early returns are indication, this may be the greatest trade in Nets history.

Next: Brooklyn Nets 2017-18 player previews: Jeremy Lin

There’s a few question marks around him, and many don’t know what to expect to see from him this season, but as we’ve seen since his arrival in Brooklyn, Russell has shown maturity and an ability to shrug off comments, as well as block out the noise of critics. Russell is going to have a whole offense that fits him and a few weapons to help him in the process. There’s no clue what we’ll see from Russell this season, but there’s no reason not to expect him to continue his ascent to becoming an NBA star.