D’Angelo Russell, who was moved to the Lakers’ second unit by JJ Redick earlier in the day on Friday, responded with 18 points for a bench that desperately needed an offensive boost and helped the Lakers beat Philadelphia 116-106.
“I just wanted to win,” Russell said in his first reaction after the match. “So whatever it takes, change of plans, whatever it is, whatever the Coach needs, try to get the win and be a part of that.”
In each of his next two answers he repeated the phrase.
“I just want to win,” he said.
Read more: JJ Redick’s critical decision pays off in Lakers’ win over 76ers
Russell, in the final year of a two-year, $36 million contract, has gotten off to a slow start this season under Redick’s offense while taking fewer shots per game than at any point in his career. His usage rate is also at a career low.
“I guess I’m just trying to do what we’re trying to do. And that’s the adjustment. That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out,” Russell said. “But as far as taking all this personally and giving anything, I don’t really have anything. My approach is to be professional from day one. And I’m committed to it by not playing, by coming off the bench, by whatever it may be. I am egoless.
“So I just want to win.”
Redick’s decision came after he benched Russell for most of the second half in the team’s lopsided loss to Memphis that ended their five-game road trip. The Lakers lost four of those games.
He said the lineup change was “smooth.”
On Friday against Philadelphia, Reddick started Cam Reddish. Reddish gave the Lakers more size and physicality defensively and Russell responded with one of his best shooting nights of the season.
“I thought both guys starred in the roles they had tonight. Cam took one shot in 27 minutes, but had a huge impact on the game defensively. Paul George didn’t get going at any point in the game,” Redick said. “…And for D-Lo, I thought he started in that role as well. Big pop for us from the couch. A really efficient evening for him. And he just played really good basketball.”
The change mirrored moves the Lakers made a year ago when then-coach Darvin Ham benched Austin Reaves and later Russell in an effort to get more defense into the starting lineup and more offensive prowess off the bench.
The Lakers are 29e in the NBA with 21.9 bench points per game. They also rank last in rebounds and assists among bench players.
After Friday’s win, Redick praised the group for its increase in energy and effort, two areas he mentioned in the squad following their loss to the Grizzlies.
In Russell, Redick has long said he has built a strong bond with the former All-Star guard and has gotten total buy-in. Friday was no different.
“I’m not surprised that he approached the game the way he did and had the performance he had,” Redick said. “Again, we asked him to do things. He accepted the role. He talked to me the whole time. He has a very strong desire to win and he has a very strong desire to be coached. And our level of communication from June 20e [the day Redick was hired] to this day it has been nothing but open, honest and transparent. And I assume it will remain that way.
“But he even just came to our meeting today, just professional, great attitude, everything you want. And you see it all the time in the league where guys can take that the wrong way. Like it’s some kind of punishment – like playing the victim – and D-Lo didn’t do any of that. And that’s part of the reason he had the game he had.”
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
