Ever since D’Angelo Russell was moved to the bench by head coach Byron Scott in December, Lakers fans everywhere have been calling for him to be inserted back into the starting lineup.
Scott always maintained that Russell would return to the starting lineup after the All-Star Break and he made true on that word as Russell made his first start since December 12 on Sunday night against the Chicago Bulls.
After the game, Scott said that Russell will remain a starter for the rest of the season according to Baxter Holmes of ESPN:
Byron says @Dloading will start for the rest of the season.
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) February 22, 2016
Russell had a solid game in his return to the starting lineup totaling 15 points and six assists in the loss to the Bulls. Even more importantly, he played 34 minutes in the game, second only to Jordan Clarkson, and committed only two turnovers in the loss.
The fact that he will remain a starter is excellent as this means he will have plenty of time to increase chemistry with Clarkson and Julius Randle. The more time those three play together, the better.
Russell has dealt with some criticism in this rookie season, but he seems to be coming out of it just fine. The development of him and the rest of the young core is the major thing to watch throughout the remainder of the season and Russell’s return to the starting lineup is a good step in the right direction.