There are a lot of expectations this coming season from D'Angelo Russell, touted to be one of the best, if not the best, guards available from the 2015 NBA Draft.
The key for Russell is to stay healthy, but this early it looks like the number two pick from the draft is being bothered by a minor injury.
According to NBA.com, Russell suffered a bone bruise on his right foot which may hamper his mobility and participation at camp. The good news, however, is that the said injury is not considered a major one, meaning the Los Angeles Lakers and Russell will likely try to find a way to work around the bruise.
"I feel fine," Russell said, adding "It's just a little bruise."
Russell believes that icing it could help and that the injury may be a result of all the running the team has been undertaking in the first three days of camp.
Head coach Byron Scott seems to be aware of the situation and will monitor Russell's state in the coming days.
Scott said, according to Laker reporter Michael Trudell as posted on NBA.com, "We'll see how he feels later on tonight, see if he can go tonight." He added, "And if not – if he has pain there – we'll sit him down for precautionary reasons."
That should be good news as the Lakers cannot afford to have another run with injured players in their lineup.
Last season, the Lakers lost Julius Randle and then Kobe Bryant to separate injuries, and such was, apparently, one of the reasons why the Lakers had a woeful campaign, making do with a crippled lineup.
Russell is expected to team up with Jordan Clarkson in the backcourt and they could technically be the Lakers' tandem for the future. Together with the return of Bryant and Randle plus the new recruits Roy Hibbert, Brandon Bass, and Lou Williams, the Lakers are hoping to turn things around after a couple of dismal seasons.
