Fansided

Stephen A. Smith rips D’Angelo Russell for taping Nick Young conversation

By Jason Parker

October 22, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) controls the ball against the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 22, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) controls the ball against the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith went all in on Los Angeles Lakers rookie D’Angelo Russell for taping a private conversation with teammate Nick Young.

For the 2015-16 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the best drama stories there has been in a long time. While the once great team limps toward their worst season in franchise history, drama off the court has taken over the spotlight and given people plenty to laugh at regarding the Lakers.

Rookie guard D’Angelo Russell was found to have recorded a conversation he had with teammate Nick Young. On that tape, Russell asked Young about different women he may have had a relationship with (which Young has been engaged to pop signer Iggy Azalea).

The release of those tapes online has caused an uproar that includes Russell reportedly being isolated from Lakers teammates who don’t want anything to do with him or don’t trust him.

On Wednesday’s airing of ESPN2’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith piled on to those condemning Russell … but Smith’s criticism had to do with Russell’s violation of the “man code”:

Throughout his first year in the league and with the Lakers, Russell has come under fire for what some (including head coach Byron Scott) view as his continued immature behavior. Azalea took to Twitter after the videos were released, thanking the rookie for recording Young.

So far this season, Russell is averaging just over 13 points a game, while not having scored over 20 points in a game in the Lakers’ last eight games, seven of which the team lost.

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