Lakers point guard Russell has maintained a solid performance recently, beating the Spurs, Russell scored 22 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists. James scored 30 points and Bushy Eyebrows scored 28 points. James, Bushy Eyebrows and Russell teamed up to perform a miracle, scoring 20+ in four consecutive games while they played together, tying the record for the longest time in Lakers history.
The last time three Lakers players scored 20+ in four consecutive games was in 1979 with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic and Norm Nixon. Nixon was a two-time All-Star Game and helped the Lakers win two championships. In other words, what didn't happen in the Kobe era, James, Bushy Eyebrows and Russell did it.
It is not uncommon for James and Brother Thick Eyebrows to score 20+ points in a row, and Russell plays next to the Zhan Mei combination, and can score 20+ in 4 consecutive games when both stars score 20+, which shows that Russell has adapted to how to play next to the Zhan Mei combination.
Russell's form has improved dramatically in 2024, averaging 22 per game in January7 points 60 assists on 48 shooting8% and 45 percent three-point shooting9% and 84 free throw percentage2%。
Russell averaged 20 per game in February3 points 43 rebounds 80 assists and 41 percent shooting4% and 40 three-point shooting9% and 86 free throw percentage2%。
Russell didn't score 20+ points on Feb. 15 and Feb. 23, though James missed both games. In the two games that Zhan Huang was missing, Russell had 17 and 9 assists respectively. Russell is more clear about his position than in the past, and without James, he will be more playmaking and attacking.
James returned, and Russell shared the pressure on the offensive end for the James combination. In the last two months, Russell has shown ferocious three-point firepower, which is what James and the thick eyebrows want to see the most. Both need someone who can open up space and share the ball with teammates on the perimeter if they are caught on the inside.
Russell averaged 3Nine three-pointers, averaging 34 three-pointers. Russell's resurgence in form is great news for the Lakers. The Lakers' record has also picked up. Russell played in eight games in February, and the Lakers won seven.
In the game where James, Bushy Eyebrows and Russell all scored 20+ points, the Lakers all won. The Lakers are now ninth in the West, just 0. ahead of the Warriors behind them5 wins. After All-Star Weekend, NBA teams are starting to grab their time.
The Lakers still have a number of big players who are temporarily unavailable due to injuries, and James and Bushy Eyebrows also have old injuries, and the team's injury reports always put the two on the list of doubts. The Lakers' playoff situation is actually not very good, especially the team's defense has been good and bad, and coach Ham does not seem to have found a solution.
The good news is that the Lakers' recent rotation has gradually stabilized, especially James, Bushy Eyebrows, and Russell have maintained a steady offensive firepower.