Prior to teaming with star forward LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers point guard D'Angelo Russell sought out his advice.
While speaking to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, Russell revealed the suggestions he received from James prior to his lone All-Star season in 2018-19.
"I was like, 'Bro, how do you become more consistent of a player?'" Russell said. "He said, 'I read. I sleep. I eat. My routine is on point.' I still got the text. And honestly, he was the reason I developed a routine."
It's no surprise that Russell took James' guidance to heart, as McMenamin noted that the 28-year-old "grew up idolizing" him. He even admitted earlier this month that he cried when seeing James play in person for the first time as a child.
"When I was a kid and I'd shoot those jump shots, I'd say, 'Jordan! Kobe!'" Russell's father, Antonio, told McMenamin. "He was coming through dunking socks on a hanger basketball goal in the room, like, 'I'm Bron!'"
Now, Russell is a key running mate for James as he tries to lead the Lakers on another postseason run. Los Angeles is ranked ninth in the Western Conference with a 36-30 record, so the team will need multiple players, including Russell, to step up and support James if it hopes to make it out of the play-in tournament.
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