Coach Darvin Ham gave Los Angeles Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell the validation of a shooter’s dream after he tied Nick Van Exel’s team record for the most 3-pointers made in a season with 183 in Monday’s 136-105 victories over the Atlanta Hawks. “He has a green room,” Russell’s Ham stated. “Not a signal to proceed. An area in green.” Against the Hawks, Russell shot 6-for-10 from outside the 3-point arc, ending with 27 points and 10 assists as Los Angeles dominated, shooting 41.7% from beyond the arc and 57.8% as a team.
Los Angeles Lakers Russell Equals Record With Van Exel Surpassing Bryant
Los Angeles Lakers’ Russell spoke about Ham, saying, “I mean, I just appreciate him trusting me to that extent.” Try hard to believe that I deserved that and that it wasn’t handed to you. Thus, it feels normal to me, respectfully, to know that’s something I put the work in to accomplish and put the work in and continue to do.”
This season, Russell is shooting 41.9% from three, a career-best, and ranks 14th in the NBA. “His prowess from the 3-point line, you know, it’s elite,” Ham stated. “And we need every bit of it.” According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Van Exel required 80 games to establish the Lakers’ 3-point record in 1994–95. That record stands as the longest-standing season franchise record in the NBA. Russel equaled Van Exel’s record in his 64th game on Monday, surpassing Kobe Bryant (180 treys in 2005–06).
