Remember that 2012 video when some high school players were shocked with Blake Griffin’s dunking ability? Part of that were D’Angelo Russell and Devin Booker who will both enter their 10th year in the league.
Russell is with the Dallas Mavericks now after getting drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2015 while Booker is still with the Phoenix Suns. These two high school standouts are the veterans now in their respective teams and Russell can’t help but look back at the growth they had as professionals.
The Mavs point guard remembered how the Suns scorer used to lack the skills and is now one of the more polished players in the league.
“He’s one of the few guys I watched develop into who he is as a person and as a player,” Russell said on “The Backyard Podcast” episode.
“Obviously was groomed, but watching him elevate his game every year. (Karl-Anthony Towns) too, but like really being front row with Book, watching him, we used to compete in pre-draft, head on. Dude couldn’t dribble, for real, and now, he’s a pro.”
He also recognized Booker getting compared to the late Kobe Bryant with whom Russell played with.
“Watching him develop that,” he continued.
“Watching him develop all these things in this game. Just like, now y’all comparing this guy to Kobe (Bryant)? Like what, you know what I mean? It’s recognizing it, appreciating it and also being motivated by it.”
D’Angelo Russell is ready for ‘new prime’
Russell was signed by the Mavericks as their new point guard and will work in tandem with Kyrie Irving. He will probably get more playing time though as Irving is still recovering from injury.
He is already in his 10th year like Booker and he feels he has become more mature now. He will enter his first year with the Mavs with a different mindset to help their cause.
“My preparation is completely different,” Russell said last week.
“I still feel like I’m in my prime. Like, I don’t feel old. I feel stronger. I feel wiser. I feel more careful. And that’s it.”
The Mavs are looking to get back to the playoffs after getting contented to a play-in finish last season. Russell will be part of the team’s veteran-ladened core together with Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, Irving, and rookie Cooper Flagg.
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