In two years, D’Angelo Russell changed from a Lakers player to a Nets All-Star, a consistent goalscorer and clutch who led them to the postseason a year ago.
Most experts praised the former Nets coach, Kenny Atkinson, for 180 degrees turn to Russell.
The Timberwolves guard now, however, is not one of them.
“I won’t give it to Kenny,” Rusell told The Athletic. “I still don’t think he knows what he has, honestly. I don’t think he knows what I’m capable of in the fourth quarter.”
There are times when Atkinson, who was fired by the Nets on March 7, will pull Russell in the fourth quarter. Their relationship is clearly imperfect. However, it cannot be said that his best basketball during his five-year NBA career was under Atkinson’s leadership.
His most productive season as a pro player was the 2018-19 campaign when the former overall overall pick No. 2 averaged 21.1 points, 7.0 assists and shot 43.4 percent from the field, and helped the Nets reach the playoffs.
Kenny Atkinson and D’Angelo HarrisonCorey Sipkin
“Brooklyn is the place he needs and Brooklyn needs it,” said Antonio Russell Jr., his brother. “They are able to form one another and build on one another.”
After that season, Russell, 24, was sent to the Warriors with a sign-and-trade that included Kevin Durant. That netted Russell to the maximum contract, although in February he was sent again, this time to Minnesota, to play with close friend Karl-Anthony Towns. Perhaps, Russell felt Atkinson did not fight hard enough to defend it when the Nets decided to bring in the duo Durant and Kyrie Irving last offseason.
“Everything is going well, finally having an All-Star year, he is out of the shell, showing his true potential, and that’s not good enough,” Towns said. “It’s not good enough to be here, you are not wanted here, we will get rid of you. That’s rude to anyone. It doesn’t matter how good, how popular you are.”
