LOS ANGELES_D'Angelo Russell understands that the Los Angeles Lakers' rotation means minutes are often scarce on this team.
All he wants is the chance to close.
On Tuesday against the Utah Jazz, Russell was part of the Lakers' closeout lineup, as he often is. And though his most memorable play might have been his missed three-point shot as time expired, what he did before that earned him the right to be there.
"I struggled on the offensive end but on the defensive end I tried to make every play," Russell said. "Just to be on the floor. Coach has a lot of guys he can pick from to be on the floor to finish the game, so I'm trying to be one of those guys."
Russell made only two of 11 shots Tuesday, and none of his three three-point attempts. He had four assists but no offensive rebounds, and he committed a turnover. In Lakers Coach Luke Walton's eyes, though, those numbers did not reflect Russell's performance accurately. Walton was especially impressed with Russell's defense.
"I thought D'Angelo played really good last night, honestly," Walton said. " ... The way that we're asking him to play defensively, he was more active than he's been. He was calling out switches, he was fighting offensively. He had more of a push to his game as far as trying to help set the tone and pace we want to play with. He missed some shots that I think he makes most nights. Some good looks. ... I just thought his shot didn't go in for him, but I told him afterward I thought he played a very good game."
