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2015/16 NBA Rookie of the Year Race

By Anthony Morgan

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 13, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D
Jul 13, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D /

5 – D’Angelo Russell 

Odds: 7/1

Drafted: 2nd by the Los Angeles Lakers

FGM FGA FG% 3FGM 3FGA 3P% FTM FTA FT% Reb Ast Stl Blk TO Pts
Summer 23 61 0.38 2 17 0.12 11 16 0.688 26 16 5 1 26 59
Preseason 8 24 0.33 4 11 0.36 5 7 0.714 14 19 2 0 5 25
Total 31 85 6 28 16 23 40 35 7 1 31 84
Average 3.1 8.5 36.5% 0.6 2.8 21.4% 1.6 2.3 69.6% 4 3.5 1 0.1 3.1 8.4

A combination of Lou Williams, Kobe Bryant, Nick Young, Jordan Clarkson and D’Angelo Russell makes for an intriguing albeit ball dominant bunch of guards. The Lakers may have no choice but to play with a three guard line-up, but even if that is the case I don’t expect Russell to get the number of looks many were suggesting when he was drafted.

He has been below average with his shooting, 36% from the field and 21% from the three point line, that will need to improve significantly if he is to get over ten points a game on minimal shot attempts. He did have 11 assists against only 2 turnovers in 18 minutes, although that was against a clearly over matched Maccabi Haifa from Israel.

With a doubt on his role and minutes going into the season opener, he will be looking towards assists and even if he can decrease his turnovers as the season progresses he will find it hard to crack into the top three in the race for Rookie of the Year.

Next: Stanley Johnson

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