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After some ups and downs, Los Angeles Lakers rookie D'Angelo Russell has been consistently playing at a high level and is showing why he was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Since Lakers head coach Byron Scott made him a full-time starter on Feb. 21, Russell has averaged 19.9 points, five assists and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 46.6 percent and 49 percent from three. He also scored 39 points on March 1 against the Nets -- the most by a rookie this season -- and played masterfully in the Lakers' upset of the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.

Russell played one of his better all-around games against the Warriors, finishing with 21 points, five assists, four steals and three rebounds. His play impressed Stephen Curry, who believes that Russell "will be great for this league going forward." At least that's what Curry told a fan on Slyce, the social media app he co-founded.

This is not really groundbreaking analysis by Curry. Russell is a versatile guard, able to penetrate through defenses, can knock down threes and has great court vision. But Curry is the reigning MVP and is one of the best point guards in the NBA, so it shows that he has already developed a mutual respect for Russell. 

This type of positive praise could also have a significant impact on Russell, who at 20 years old is still growing and developing his game. He may be young and filled with potential now, but in a few years Russell could be a rival of Curry's, a fact that the Warriors guard seems already certain of. 

Game recognize game.
Game recognize game. (USATSI)