JJ Redick: D’Angelo Russell among Lakers’ most vocal leaders amid 4-2 start | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumours

TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 01: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after hitting a shot against the Toronto Raptors in the second half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on November 1, 2024 in Toronto, Canada . NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photo, User agrees to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)

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The Los Angeles Lakers are getting strong leadership from veteran guard D’Angelo Russell.

After Friday night’s 131-125 win over the Toronto Raptors, head coach JJ Redick praised Russell’s commitment to leading the 4-2 Lakers.

“He’s been one of the most vocal leaders on our team,” said Redick, per Khobi price of Orange County Register. “And that goes back to before training camp when he was in the gym. That’s one of the challenges we gave him the first day he came to the gym and he was using his voice. He was energetic and we talked about it. Then I told him, ‘That’s got to be your standard,’ you’ve got to be who you are every day, whether you’re hitting or not, or whether you’re out at the end of a game.

Russell scored 19 points and had six assists and three rebounds in 32 minutes during the win over the Raptors. He is averaging 12.2 points, 5.8 assists and 2.3 rebounds in six games so far.

The Lakers will hope he can continue his solid play and find a leadership role on a roster that already relies heavily on LeBron James and Anthony Davis to carry the load.

It’s also a team with a first-time head coach in Redick and several developing pieces in Bronny James and Dalton Knecht who could learn from Russell’s experience, even if James is expected to spend some time in G-League.

Russell and the Lakers will look to improve on their 5-2 record when they take on the Detroit Pistons.