Like Simba returning to claim his throne in The Lion King, D'Angelo Russell was back like he never left last season. Just like that, nostalgia met the present like a television reboot. Back was the swag, the handles and the 'ice in his veins' celebration.
But similar to a reboot, you started to remember why running it back isn't always a great idea. Back was also the inconsistent shooting and poor defensive performances. Things got so dire against the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs that Russell had to be benched in the final game and his return to the team was no longer a certainty.