When the Los Angeles Lakers drafted point guard D'Angelo Russell with the second overall pick in this past year's NBA Draft, they did so, undoubtedly, because the felt he was the best point guard in the Draft.
The Lakers also had the option of drafting point guard Emmanuel Mudiay, but the team rated Russell as a better player long term. On Monday, Lakers coach Byron Scott gave some curious insight into the decision and evaluation process.
Scott said when Lakers worked out Mudiay he “didn’t think he was a true point guard” & “didn’t think he was a guy who made great decisions.”
— Bill Oram (@billoram) November 2, 2015
Despite Scott's evaluation, Mudiay, who was drafted seventh overall by the Denver Nuggets, has been by far the best point guard of the 2015 Draft class. Mudiay is averaging 12. points, 5.3 assists, and one steal per game thus far in his young career.
On the other hand, Russell has struggled for the Lakers, averaging 9.0 points per game on 36.7% shooting from the field. Russell is also averaging less than two assists per game.
Granted, each player is only is only three games into their NBA careers, but based on what we've seen thus far, coach Scott's evaluation of Mudiay appears to be wildly inaccurate.
The Nuggets will play the Lakers in Los Angeles Tuesday night.
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