The Lakers privately criticized D’Angelo Russell for his inability to take coaching. It augurs well for the Nets if he’s not only accepting coaching but seeking it out.
Russell admits the Nets may have gone too easy on each other last season. Taking a step forward will require tougher competition in practice and harsher criticism from coach Kenny Atkinson. So when Atkinson stopped a recent practice to get on Russell over a turnover, the 22-year-old guard was all for it.
“I told him I want that,” Russell said.