Lakers News: D'Angelo Russell Wants "All The Smoke" Of Expectations After Red-Hot Run

Since the calendar turned over to 2024, D'Angelo Russell has been on one.

The Lakers' much-maligned (including by this reporter) starting point guard has been criticized throughout his career for a certain strain of inconsistency and an occasional predilection for not having a great sense of the moment, especially late in games.

For these last few months, at least, that's all gone away.

D-Lo has been playing some of the best basketball of his career, even against some of the toughest competition in the NBA.

To wit, he tied the second-best output of his career last night against the Bucks, scoring 44 points, including the winning scoop shot.

"I never lacked confidence, I never feared confrontation, I want all the smoke," Russell said. "I just feel confident in what I bring to the basketball game."

In 2024, Russell re-gained his starting point guard role in Darvin Ham's offense, and seems to have rewarded his coach's faith in his abilities. Since January, he's been averaging 21.9 points on .476/.450/.831 shooting splits, 6.4 assists, three rebounds, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks a night.