Chances for Russell

D'Angelo Russell wants to earn a chance to lead the Lakers

The talented guard from Ohio State makes his case to be drafted by the Lakers with the #2 pick.

The Lakers will likely have to decide between Duke big man Jahlil Okafor and Ohio State guard D'Angelo Russell with the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft on Thursday, and odds are the Lakers will end up taking Okafor. But Russell certainly has a strong case to be made, and in an interview with Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, he made his case:

"If I were to go to the Lakers, I wouldn't want anybody to hand me anything," Russell told Yahoo Sports. "I wouldn't expect Kobe to take me under his wing. I think he will want to see a resemblance of that hunger and fire that he came into the league with as a young kid. No one needs to be nicest guy in the world, or needs to pretend to be that. He will see through that, pick all that apart ... I've got to be me."

-Via "D'Angelo Russell makes his case for the Lakers to take him No. 2 in the NBA draft"

Russell averaged 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists at Ohio State while posting a 57.3 true shooting percentage and a 26.6 PER.

As for me, I'm still incredibly conflicted on what I want the Lakers to do. Russell was my favorite player to watch all year long in college, and at various points I even said that I want Russell on the Lakers over anyone in the draft. When faced with the reality of the choice, though, it's going to be incredibly hard to pass on Okafor. Regardless, I will be very happy with either one, assuming that is indeed the choice.

For all your latest draft updates and all things Lakers, keep coming back for more all week here at Silver Screen & Roll.

Follow this author on Twitter @TJFsports.

Published by: SB NATION

June 22nd, 2015

Source: www.silverscreenandroll.com