Free Company, Nets Coach Jordi Fernandez, Lakers

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D’Angelo Russell: I simply admire it greater than something as a result of I’ve come from locations the place I don’t have that relationship. I’ve type of simply had success off of simply exhibiting up and no relationship. With JJ (Redick), I had a stable relationship with him on the way in which out. I advised Jordi right this moment for him to belief me and permit me to be a basketball participant and never only a shot maker. If my pictures aren’t falling, he nonetheless trusts me to be on the market to make performs. I respect that greater than something. I’ve been type of categorized as a man who solely makes pictures, however being a basketball participant is my energy. For him to belief me so quickly since I’ve been right here, I’m nothing however appreciative.

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Russell: They’re each staff. I feel that’s the place their success comes from. I’ve all the time been a fan of something that begins from the highest and trickles down. It’s simpler to ship that message. We see him every single day coming in right here and dealing. We see numerous quantity of hours watching movie and issues like that. I feel that’s the place it begins. Kenny had that very same starvation, so I’m not shocked he’s doing what he’s doing over there (with the Cleveland Cavaliers).

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Russell: I attempt to reiterate Jordi’s messages as a lot as I can. He speaks what he means. As a younger group, it will probably undergo one ear and out the opposite, so I attempt to be one other voice on the staff that may relay his message and lead by instance.

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Russell: Workforce. I’ve been on so many alternative groups the place the staff’s not a precedence. To be right here, the staff is every thing from each facet you may consider. It’s team-oriented. As a staff, we win. As a staff, we lose. To be engraved into that and simply slot in is an efficient feeling.

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Russell: It’s nice. I might by no means take it as a right, coming from the place I got here from. Clearly, I used to be just a little traumatized there. To be right here and get the chance to only be me the place there’s familiarity as nicely is simply icing on the cake. I’m on the level in my profession the place I’m not going out and scoring 25 factors each evening and wowing with numbers. It’s a degree the place I’m attempting to gravitate in the direction of doing it the proper manner, and the way I can contribute to successful is my precedence. He (Coach Fernandez) lets me do this. He trusts me already, so I can think about attending to coaching camp for one thing like that and having that underneath my belt with the blokes. I feel the sky’s the restrict.

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Russell: Yeah. Why wouldn’t I? I maintain seeing stuff popping out. I’ll let you know. Heck yeah. I wish to be wherever I’m at. I’m right here. I really like these guys. I admire this, and I might like to be again.

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Russell: His position has modified just a little bit. He’s such a killer, and he’s so underrated. I don’t suppose that LeBron (James) or Luka (Doncic) can hinder his success or knock him off of how good he’s. Kudos to him. I’m cheering for him.

You possibly can observe Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) on X, previously often known as Twitter.