When the cloud of trade hangs over the Los Angeles Lakers, and when the eyes of fans are focused on those possible departures, Russell, a former star on the list, seems to have been pushed to the forefront again. However, this time he did not choose to remain silent, but used his performance to prove to the world: even in the midst of trade rumors, he is still the one who cannot be ignored.
Looking back at last offseason, the Lakers' series of operations can be described as large. Among the many new signings, Russell's contract extension is undoubtedly the most controversial. Many questioned his ability and decided that it wasn't worth it for the Lakers to pay such a big price for him. However, the Lakers' management has their own considerations, they value Russell's talent and believe that he can adjust himself in the new season.
At the beginning of the season, Russell's performance was indeed unsatisfactory, and he seemed a little lost on the field and could not find his rhythm. However, he did not lose confidence like Wei Shao in the past, but continued to maintain a normal mentality and conscientiously carried out the tasks assigned to him by the coach.
Over time, the Lakers' record has been up and down, and rumors of trade reinforcements have been endless. And Russell was also revealed to be a trade chip, and the target of reinforcements was Murray of the Hawks, and the top show may be displaced again.
However, Russell was also brought back to the starting lineup in the process, and it is unknown if it was to increase the trade value. When he regained his starting position, he lived up to the trust of his coach and proved his worth as a top star with stunning performances one after another.
Especially in a series of competitions in January, Russell showed his talent to the fullest:
He scored more than 25 points in consecutive games and soared to a career-high three-point shooting percentage. With his excellent performance, the Lakers played a wave of consecutive victories and rekindled the hope of hitting the championship.
Of course, doubts remain about Russell, with many fans believing that he wasn't good enough on the defensive end to help the team enough in the playoffs. In addition, he has relatively little playoff experience, which could be a big drawback. However, we also have to admit the fact that Russell's talent and playmaking ability on the offensive end is something the Lakers desperately need. His shooting ability and passing talent can create more offensive opportunities for the team and take the pressure off James and Davis.
In the face of doubts and challenges, Russell did not choose to escape, and still maintained a normal attitude to play every game
Against the Jazz, he had 39 points and 8 assists; When playing the Mavericks, he exploded with 29 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists; When competing against the Trail Blazers, he scored 34 points and 8 assists.
Obviously, when Russell was caught in the whirlpool of trade rumors, the blood in his body had already begun to boil, and he was unwilling to fall victim to the trade.
Today, the Lakers still face many challenges, their record is inconsistent, and they could fall out of the play-in tournament at any time. However, at this critical juncture, Russell seemed to be the savior of the team, not only providing firepower support for the team on the offensive end, but also making a positive contribution on the defensive end. Its all-round play has made the Lakers more comfortable in the game, and it has also given fans hope that the team will hit the playoffs and even the championship.
Perhaps, one day in the future, Russell will leave the Lakers and become a core player on other teams. However, no matter how far he goes, he will continue to move forward with that indomitable spirit and love for basketball.
We believe that in the future games, Russell will continue to contribute to the Lakers, and will bring more surprises and expectations to fans.
Russell's story continues, and so does his basketball journey. Let's wait and see what kind of legend this former star can write in the future competitions!