D'Angelo Russell's rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers hasn't gone as smoothly as the No. 2 overall selection in the 2015 NBA Draft, but such is to be expected when a dynamic but immature talent is handed over to an archaically obtuse coach like Byron Scott.
The Lakers are 14-52 (No. 15 in the Western Conference, baby!) as the rotting corpse of Kobe Bryant's career trundles to its ultimate resting place.
Though the Lakers inexplicably tried to compete for a title in Kobe's final season (seriously, this was a thing they thought) and stunted Russell's growth with fourth-quarter benchings and outright shit-talk from his coach, there are signs of hope!
Shockingly, less of an aging Kobe Bryant and more usage of the Lakers' young roster has allowed development. Russell is playing better, and even Byron Scott was forced into dropping underhanded comments about Russell's recent work ethic.
The Lakers host the equally hapless New York Knicks Sunday night at the Staples Center. As a rational, self-loving person, you will be doing other things than watching two bad NBA teams bang one out in the middle of March.
Instead, watch D'Angelo Russell's first professional commercial in which Gatorade plays on his famous #Loading... tagline.
Yes, it would appear despite Bryon Scott's best efforts Russell maintains commercial appeal in Los Angeles. It may be the greatest achievement of his rookie season.
