D'Angelo Russell Points to Former LA Player That Caused Rift in Team

The Los Angeles Lakers seemed dead in the water last season before the trade deadline. The team was in 13th place for most of the year, and barring a trade, it looked like another wasted season. 

However, that all changed when Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka pulled off a series of trades that catapulted Los Angeles into what ultimately led them to a Western Conference Finals appearance as the number seven seed. It was a huge turnaround, and it was due to the new cast of players brought during the 2023 trade deadline. The Lakers brought over five new players, but none were as impactful as point guard D'Angelo Russell. 

Russell fit in like a glove when he arrived in Los Angeles. He fit perfectly with backcourt mate Austin Reaves, and more importantly, he was a seamless fit with the two superstars, Anthony Davis and LeBron James. It was a great pairing that won them a bunch of games. However, not all was sunshine and rainbows last season despite their amazing run. 

In a recent interview with ESPN Lakers insider Dave McMenamin, Russell shared how there was some tension between himself and former Laker guard Dennis Schröder due to his kinship with head coach Darvin Ham. 

Russell spoke candidly on the topic. 

"His relationship with Darvin is the reason I couldn't have a relationship with Darvin. When I was struggling, I would've been able to come to the coach and say, 'Bro, this is what we should do. Like, I can help you.' Instead, there was no dialogue. ... I just accepted it. And we got swept and I'm here and he's not. And I like our chances."

^{—D'Angelo Russell, via ESPN} 

Russell was essentially the scapegoat in the Denver Nuggets' series loss due to his poor play. Although his poor play contributed to the loss, he never got a chance to redeem himself throughout the series. Instead, Ham trouted out Schröder despite the lack of offense he provided. 

The relationship between Ham and Russell may not be the best. Ham took Russell out of the starting lineup only a couple of months ago. Why was that? Who knows? 

Ham finally put him back in a couple of weeks later, and that's when Russell turned the corner into the play we see now. 

The 28-year-old has been the catalyst for the Lakers being six games over .500 for the first time this season. He and the Lakers are playing great basketball (at least on the offensive end) and have a chance to climb up the standings with a month left in the season. 

Russell has established himself as the third star on the team, and Lakers superstar LeBron James is all aboard the Russell hype train. 

"I think he has the ability to do whatever the team needs, especially offensively," James told ESPN of Russell's impact on L.A.'s playoff push. "That's what's special about him. He can adapt to whatever the game calls for.

"But when D-Lo is at his best, he's in attack mode."

^{—LeBron James, via ESPN}

It's clear Ham plays favorites, and even a non-Lakers fan can see that. Nonetheless, Russell will keep playing his game regardless of how Ham may feel about him.