D’Angelo Russell Compares Starting and Coming off the Bench

For the first eight games of the season, D’Angelo Russell started at point guard for the Lakers. However, rookie head coach JJ Redick benched the guard for Cam Reddish due to his lack of influence on both ends of the court and the team’s need for additional defensive depth. The veteran’s preparation has not been impacted by being benched, despite the fact that it was probably a devastating blow to his spirits. Instead, he is eager to contribute off the bench and has slightly changed his pregame routine. D’Angelo Russell talks about difference between starting and being on bench On The Backyard Podcast, he described how his warm-up routine and mindset changed, saying: “[Coming off the bench] is an adjustment… For me, I do what I do to be ready before the game… I’m on the treadmill, I’m on all that stuff. So for me to do that, then I have to cool down a little bit. [But] you are trying to find ways to not be cooling when you would be playing. Just trying to stay loose. Don’t get comfortable with sitting down.”  In order to make sure he’s warmed up, loose, and prepared to play at full speed...