Getty Lakers stars LeBron James, D'Angelo Russell and Anthony Davis
Los Angeles Lakers All-Star point guard D’Angelo Russell hosted a basketball camp in June, and one of the guests, Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker, brought him to tears.
“I mean, I don’t cry a lot, but this is something that I cry about. Just having the support from guys that I’ve crossed paths with over the years and them supporting me. This is the biggest thing you can do for me by showing up to my camp,” Russell said to Kent Spencer of WHAS11.
Booker and Russell have known each other since high school and beginning their journey to the NBA.
Booker also chimed in and talked about his relationship with Russell.
“[We’ve known each other] since the seventh or eighth grade. Camps, camp ball, we used to trade out our gear, helped each other out and always kept in contact. So, it’s a relationship that is going to be forever. … We have been at it for a very long time,” the Suns guard said.
Here’s @DevinBook from today talking about his close relationship with @Dloading … and Russell on what it means to have guys like Booker and @obitoppin1 among others supporting his Camp DLO. @WHAS11
Isaiah Todd Sounds Off on Bradley Beal
The Suns made a huge splash before the free agency period began and signed three-time All-Star shooting guard Bradley Beal. Though the acquisition paired him with two other premiere basketball players in Booker and Kevin Durant, some are unconvinced that Beal will be the piece that will turn the Suns into a title contender. After all, the Wizards have missed the playoffs in four of the last five seasons.
However, newly acquired Suns guard Isaiah Todd, who was part of the Beal trade, says the All-Star guard has been one of the hardest workers on the roster since being traded by the Wizards.
“I don’t know what people talk about him, but I know he’s one of the hardest workers that I’ve ever met. Every time I come into the gym, he’s in there working on something. He told me to live in the weight room I never forget, and I see him living in the weight room, living in a gym, and that’s just motivation for me as a young guy coming in,” Todd said during a July 5 press conference.
“I almost get emotional just thinking about you know us winning the championship one day and you know everything that he might have gone through behind closed doors and me watching him since I was a kid wanting him to win the championship as well it’s like amazing to see.”
Isaiah Todd said he gets “emotional” thinking about “winning a championship” with Bradley Beal as they were teammates in Washington. #Suns
Ex-Suns Big Man Sounds Off on New Role
The Suns have had about as good of an offseason as you could ask from a team housing three max contract players. But they have also had to part ways with key players from last season’s roster as part of the process. One of those players was reserve big man Jock Landale, who gave the squad great minutes off the bench in the playoffs.
The Australian native got his payday at the beginning of free agency, signing a 4-year, $32 million deal with the Houston Rockets. But just because he has gotten paid, do not expect Landale’s work ethic to change.
“I also feel that, given it is non-guaranteed, there’s no ability for me to take my foot off the gas, and I feel that’s really important and plays into my character a bit. I have still got to earn everything,” Landale told ESPN.
“I felt as though I’d worked my way to when I played and when I played heavy minutes, I always produced. If I can get the trust of a coach who has the front office behind me, and they’re all supportive of the decision, absolutely I believe I can play to that contract.”