NEWS: Lakers Star Punished By The NBA For Explosive Act
D’Angelo Russell has been fined $15,000 by the NBA for kicking the ball into the stands during the Lakers’ thrilling 145-144 double-overtime win over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.
The fine is unlikely to bankrupt Russell, considering it makes up less than 0.1 percent of the 17.3 million he’ll be paid across the season.
And while his kicking of the ball was frowned upon by the NBA, Russell’s excitement was understandable with the Lakers winning what many have described as the best game of the season so far.
He also played a central role in the win, putting up 28 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals.
While D’Angelo Russell has been the subject of relentless trade rumors lately – especially ones involving him going to Atlanta in exchange for Dejounte Murray – his excellent run of form could be making the Lakers reluctant to move him, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
“League sources say that there has been little-to-no trade dialogue in recent days between the Hawks and the Lakers when it comes to former All-Star Dejounte Murray,” Stein wrote this week.
“Trade talks tend to be fluid this time of year and can be easily sparked up again, but one source briefed on the talks termed the idea of Murray landing with the Lakers before the deadline, as of this Sunday, as “unrealistic.” Among the factors for that: D’Angelo Russell’s strong play this month.”
Over his last eight games, Russell is averaging 27.5 points and 6.4 assists on 52.3 percent shooting from the field and and 54.2 percent from three.
There has been something in the water these past two recent NBA weeks it seems, as players are putting up the most wild scores.
The biggest being Luka Doncic’s 73-point game on Friday.
Warriors star Stephen Curry was asked about the recent individual scoring booms, like Joel Embiid’s 70-point night, Karl Anthony Towns’ 62-point game, and Devin Booker’s 62-point game.
“It’s probably a combination of guys being able to put the ball in the basket with Luka, Joel, KAT, Book; they’re perennial scorers; that’s what they do,” Curry explained. “The level of it and how, in a short time span, guys get hot and build confidence, floodgates open, and they’re obviously capable of doing that.”
The nine-time All-Star went on to explain how it’s difficult to be physical on the defensive end of the floor because of how the game is being officiated at the moment.
This plays into the hands of scorers like Doncic Embiid and KAT, as they are more protected.
Embiid has been copping plenty of flack for his flopping techniques, since the big man is being awarded far more free throws than the average NBA player most nights.
In Embiid’s 70-point game against the Spurs, he was awarded 23 free throws and shot 21 of those.
“It’s interesting how the game is refereed,” Curry said. “You’ve seen it a little tonight (when the Warriors were awarded 16 free throws to the Lakers’ 43). It’s hard to be as physical as you want with some pattern with how things are called, and guys are taking advantage of it. If you can obviously score in all three levels and get to the foul line, you’ll have a night.”
While he thinks it’s great for individual players to have historic nights, Curry doesn’t necessarily agree with all the calls being made on the court.
“It’s great for the league in showing skill sets and the variety of how guys can score, but there’s some stuff to correct as well.”