D’Angelo Russell’s initial stint with the Los Angeles Lakers was a bust after being chosen second overall in the 2015 NBA draft. His leadership was openly questioned by then-Lakers GM Magic Johnson, leading to his move to the Brooklyn Nets after only two seasons. Russell claims the Lakers legend’s remarks unjustly damaged his credibility.

Upon graduating from college, Russell was met with star-studded expectations. His first two seasons with the Lakers were dismal, averaging just 14.1 points, 3.5 boards, 4.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.9 three-pointers a game on a 40.8% shooting clip. The team finished 43-121.

Johnson, used to the Lakers’ legendary past, may have been irritated by LA’s lack of success. Then, in 2017, he sent Russell packing to the Brooklyn Nets with veteran center Brook Lopez and a first-round pick from the previous year.

He helped us out, and we’d like to thank him. But a leader was what I needed, Johnson remarked.

After making an All-Star appearance in 2019 with the Nets, Russell bounced around the league before returning to Los Angeles last season. As part of the roster shakeup that the Lakers had in the middle of last season, he was traded for by the Minnesota Timberwolves at the trade deadline.

After that, in 2023, when the Los Angeles Lakers were playing in the Western Conference finals, Russell was the starting point guard and had a significant impact. He, too, has had a solid start to the season. The 27-year-old chose to address Johnson’s remarks from 2017 after his recent victory in Los Angeles.

On a recent episode of “The Backyard Podcast,” Russell challenged Johnson’s assertion that he lacked leadership qualities. He has always been someone his teammates could depend on and has always had natural leadership characteristics, says the veteran point guard.

Plus, he went on to sаy that Johnson brought unwarranted shame upon himself when he was just starting out.

We need a leader, or some such phrase, was what Magic Johnson said. Along with it, I had an innate ability to lead. Like, I was already that way and I didn’t even realize it,” Russell remarked.

I thought, “Dаmn, that’s really me,” after I removed myself from that situation. I am really impleme𝚗ting all of his suggestions. It became clear to me that my teammates were interested in playing alongside me.”The me𝚗 in my life did improve because of me. I did pull me𝚗 up off the floor and assist them in getting their routines in order, whether that be with food, sleep, or anything else. In fact, I was that man. However, due to the misconception he perpetuated, I spent my entire career trying to disprove it.