D’Angelo Russell was the subject of constant trade talks this season before the trade deadline. He’s known to be very blunt and open with the media about his feelings and where he stands. Even when ESPN’s Dave McMenamin asked him about what had changed between this season and last, when he was benched in the Western Conference Finals, he remained candid.
During the interview, Russell talked about his relationship with Lakers Head Coach Darvin Ham and how it improved without ex-teammate Dennis Schröder being in the way. Russell mentioned Ham and Schröder‘s relationship affected his confidence, and in return, he did not speak up last season.
“When I was struggling, I would’ve been able to come to the coach and say, ‘Bro, this is what we should do. Like, I can help you.’ Instead, there was no dialogue. … I just accepted it.”
He ended by saying he was the player chosen to stay with the team.
Rapper Mase heard the comments and shared his thoughts on It Is What It Is, claiming that the Laker’s point guard needed to stop snitching on everyone. Mase also referred to the situation a few years ago, when Russell found himself caught up in the Nick Young controversy, sharing information with Iggy about Nick’s actions on the road.
“Like the n*gga snitch on everybody man, got a whole new generation he snitching on,” Mase said on It Is What It Is. “A generational snitch right here, he is going to make it his business to snitch on somebody. Like D’Angelo Russell, chill out.”
Hilarious take. However, Russell has averaged 17 points, six assists, and three rebounds this season, while shooting 47% from the field. It’s a good season as the Lakers fight to make it out of the play-in.