Following Brooklyn’s 111-108 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at Barclays Center, Nets guard D’Angelo Russell spoke with HoopsHype about coach Jordi Fernandez behind the scenes, how Fernandez is similar to former Nets coach Kenny Atkinson, his desire to re-sign with the Nets in free agency, his experience with the Lakers, Austin Reaves, and more.

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D’Angelo Russell: I just appreciate it more than anything because I’ve come from places where I don’t have that relationship. I’ve kind of just had success off of just showing up and no relationship. With JJ (Redick), I had a solid relationship with him on the way out. I told Jordi today for him to trust me and allow me to be a basketball player and not just a shot maker. If my shots aren’t falling, he still trusts me to be out there to make plays. I respect that more than anything. I’ve been kind of categorized as a guy who only makes shots, but being a basketball player is my strength. For him to trust me so soon since I’ve been here, I’m nothing but appreciative.

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Russell: They’re both workers. I think that’s where their success comes from. I’ve always been a fan of anything that starts from the top and trickles down. It’s easier to send that message. We see him every day coming in here and working. We see countless amount of hours watching film and things like that. I think that’s where it starts. Kenny had that same hunger, so I’m not surprised he’s doing what he’s doing over there (with the Cleveland Cavaliers).

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Russell: I try to reiterate Jordi’s messages as much as I can. He speaks what he means. As a young group, it can go through one ear and out the other, so I try to be another voice on the team that can relay his message and lead by example.

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Russell: Team. I’ve been on so many different teams where the team’s not a priority. To be here, the team is everything from every aspect you can think of. It’s team-oriented. As a team, we win. As a team, we lose. To be engraved into that and just fit in is a good feeling.

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Russell: It’s great. I would never take it for granted, coming from where I came from. Obviously, I was a little traumatized there. To be here and get the opportunity to just be me where there’s familiarity as well is just icing on the cake. I’m at the point in my career where I’m not going out and scoring 25 points every night and wowing with numbers. It’s a point where I’m trying to gravitate towards doing it the right way, and how I can contribute to winning is my priority. He (Coach Fernandez) lets me do that. He trusts me already, so I can imagine getting to training camp for something like that and having that under my belt with the guys. I think the sky’s the limit.

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Russell: Yeah. Why wouldn’t I? I keep seeing stuff coming out. I’ll tell you. Heck yeah. I want to be wherever I’m at. I’m here. I love these guys. I appreciate this, and I would love to be back.

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Russell: His role has changed a little bit. He’s such a killer, and he’s so underrated. I don’t think that LeBron (James) or Luka (Doncic) can hinder his success or knock him off of how good he is. Kudos to him. I’m cheering for him.

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