Bring on the drama! NBA gets it right with first slate of games

The Los Angeles Lakers picked up a big win without LeBron James when they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. D’Angelo Russell was a big part of the Lakers getting that win with 44 points. Russell had 21 fourth-quarter points, including the game-winner with 5.9 seconds to play.

Following the game, Russell said he welcomes the pressure. The Lakers guard said everything he’s been through has made him confident he’ll come through when it matters most.

“On the floor, I’ve always felt like I was capable of doing things, [and] getting hot makes it a little more exciting,” Russell said. “Off the floor, obviously you all know what I’ve been through. Public humiliation has done nothing but mold me into the killer that you all see today. I never lack confidence. I never fear confrontation. I want all the smoke. … I just feel confident in what I bring to the basketball game, so whatever room I walk in, I’m confident.”

The Portland Trail Blazers and Damian Lillard continue to appear fully committed to each other as the franchise evaluates its options ahead of next week’s draft where they own the No. 3 pick.

“Not at the start of the season, I don’t believe, as of right now,” said Brian Windhorst on First Take when asked if Lillard will be on a different team when the 23-24 season begins.

“They publicly haven’t sounded like they want to trade him. I can tell you privately the Blazers aren’t interested in trading him right now either,” added Windhorst. “I have to underline ‘right now’ because we’re in a fluid situation.”

Windhorst went on to emphasize how clear Lillard was at the end of the season that he wants the Blazers to make roster moves to improve their chances of competing around him.

“I am hearing nothing,” said Windhorst. “Nothing from the Dame side. Nothing from the Blazers’ side formally that he doesn’t want to be there.”

With the Blazers owning the No. 3 pick, they have more optionality with what they can do, but it also could be difficult to give up a player with the type of upside possessed by Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller.

“I don’t see it happening right now.”