Page 19 - Sports Illustrated Kids (April 2019)
P. 19
team’s spirit. “He is the lifeblood of MOVING ON UP
[the Nets],” said Harris. “Everything
flows through him. He does a really Sometimes a change of scenery is needed to jolt a player out
good job of dictating the pace, of their doldrums. Here are three players who, like D’Angelo
getting guys in rhythm and just
doing a really good job on every level. Russell, have benefitted from packing their bags and finding a
He does a really good job facilitating new home.
for others and himself. Obviously we
are really lucky to have a player of his
caliber on our team.”
JULIUS RANDLE
CLEAN SLATE NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
The Nets are one of the biggest After a broken leg limited him to
surprises of the season. They’ve one game in his rookie season,
surpassed all expectations and are in Randle improved over the next
the mix for a playoff spot. They even three years with the Lakers. But
weathered an eight-game losing it wasn’t until he signed with
New Orleans last offseason
streak in November and have stayed
that the 6' 9" power forward
afloat despite multiple injuries to key
took off. He’s averaging career
players such as guards Spencer
highs in minutes played and
Dinwiddie and Caris Levert. Russell
points scored.
has fit into a culture that allows
various players to shine.
“I have been through so much,” RICKY RUBIO
said Russell. “I didn’t know how to
UTAH JAZZ
be a professional. So to come around
Rubio came into the league
this organization, they nurtured [and
in 2011 with sky-high
taught me] how to be a professional.
expectations. His play with
You’re around it every day. There’s no Minnesota was inconsistent,
let-offs. I needed that, that at best. Traded to Utah in 2017,
reassurance, and that humbling Rubio has become a better and
LAYNE MURDOCH JR./NBAE/GETTY IMAGES (RANDLE); J PAT CARTER/GETTY IMAGES (RUBIO); GREG NELSON (ROSE)
experience. I know how far more consistent scorer. The
I’ve come.” native of Spain has transformed
Russell was excited for the into a dependable point guard
All-Star Game, of course. “I’m on a good team.
going to be starstruck,” he said
shortly before he left for Charlotte,
where he scored six points. “I’m not DERRICK ROSE
going to lie. I’m 22. A lot of these MINNESOTA
guys are older than me, so I watched TIMBERWOLVES
them on TV. I dreamed of playing in Rose has been on a basketball road
that game.” But he’s more excited trip since tearing his ACL in 2012,
about the journey he is on with the traveling from Chicago to New York
Nets. “To get this opportunity, to Cleveland and, for 48 hours, to
Utah. But he’s found a permanent
I’m lost for words,” Russell said.
home in Minnesota. The former MVP
“The coaches that I’ve had, my
is averaging his highest point total
teammates that I’ve met throughout
since 2012, and even scored a career-
this journey, it’s something that you
best 50 points on Halloween 2018.
can’t take away. It almost feels like a
degree. You can’t take that away
from somebody.” n
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