D'Angelo Russell's Kobe Impression Was, Uh, Awkwardly Accurate

In what may be a perfect encapsulation of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2015-2016 season thus far, Future Of The Franchise D’Angelo Russell was captured on tape Wednesday showing us his best Kobe Bryant impersonation: iso play, difficult shot, air ball.

Russell, playing one-on-one a few hours before LA took on the Minnesota Timberwolves, called “Kobe!” before waving off imaginary teammates’ imaginary screens and taking the ball to the baseline to try his hand at one of Bryant’s trademark turnaround, fadeaway jumpers. Russell proceeded to miss everything on the attempt -- as Medina said, the jokes write themselves. The irony is clear.

Not to fear, Lakers fans -- later that night, Russell did a 2008-2009 Bryant impression too, hitting two clutch shots in the last minute of regulation to send his team’s game into overtime -- much to the delight of Kobe himself.

After the game, Russell told reporters that Bryant was coaching him through the contest's final moments, giving Russell advice as he played some of the biggest minutes of his young career.

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