Los Angeles Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell said he wanted to do everything possible to get back into the team after he was benched by head coach JJ Redick.
The Lakers registered a 116-106 win against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night but Russell was at peace despite coming off the bench.
“I just wanted to win,” Russell said after scoring 18 points on 7-for-12 shooting with three assists as a reserve. “So whatever it took, change of plans, whatever it is, whatever Coach needs, try to get the win and be a part of that.”
Before the season, Redick named LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura, and Russell as his preferred starting five but Cam Redish replaced Russell.
Russell is determined to give his best for the Lakers in the ongoing season and said he wants to keep delivering consistent performances.
“I left all that, all my baggage at the door this summer once we changed coaches and new staff came in,” Russell said of the difference in his digesting Redick’s decision. “I was committed to whatever it takes. That’s what y’all see now.”
Meanwhile, Redick was seen pounding his chair in frustration after a 131-114 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
“Basketball is, to me, an emotional game,” Redick said before Friday’s game when asked about the clip of his outburst. “I’m a competitive person. I’m a passionate person. Sometimes … for a brief period of time, you lose control of that emotion. It’s not the first time that it’s happened, I’ll be honest with you. Maybe it’s the first time that something like that was over Twitter, but it’s going to happen again. It may happen two hours from now. That’s just the reality.”
Redick showered praise on Russell for turning a corner and for working hard on his game.
“We’ve asked him to do things. He’s been accepting of the role,” Redick said. “He has talked with me all the time. He has a really strong desire to win, and he has a really strong desire to be coached. And our communication level from June 20 to today has been nothing but open, honest and transparent. And I would assume it will continue to be.”
The Lakers will next take on the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night.
