Butler wills Heat to comeback victory over Celtics

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.”

Kevin Durant is targeting March 1st as his return from a sprained MCL and his debut with the Phoenix Suns.

Durant suffered the injury on January 8th and was traded by the Brooklyn Nets to the Suns ahead of the February 9th trade deadline.

Durant is averaging 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 36.0 minutes over 39 games this season

Kevin Durant has the type of playing style that should allow him to continue his career well into his late 30s, if not his early 40s. But there have been questions of whether he would like to extend his career that long.

In an interview with Logan Murdock of The Ringer, Durant suggested he would like to achieve longevity in the game.

“I want to play until I can’t no more, man,” Durant said. “A title is incredible, but what it’s going to mean to me as an individual? I want to win a title for a city, for my teammates, for the organization. Is it going to get me more notoriety, more attention, a ring? It’s not really about me. That’s how I look at championships. So I want to do this together. I’m looking forward to going on the journey with these guys.”

Durant is now on his fourth NBA team, something he is at peace with.

“I’ve been a nomad since I was a kid,” Durant said. “I done moved in five different cribs as an adolescent. I done went to three elementary schools. I done went to two middle schools. … I done went to three different high schools. I went to Texas for one year, moved. I went to Seattle for one year, moved on to the next. I just think it’s my place as a human being to explore all parts of Earth.”

Durant is currently signed with the Phoenix Suns through the 25-26 season.