Russell: Lakers put last season 'on hold' for Kobe farewell

The Los Angeles Lakers didn't exactly hide their intentions for the 2015-16 season.

Kobe Bryant's last season was nothing more than a farewell tour as the Black Mamba dutifully said goodbye to each city in his 20th year. And even though Bryant was merely a glimmer of his former shine, the five-time champion went out guns blazing by taking every shot available.

No. 2 overall pick D'Angelo Russell confirmed as much to Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times.

"He deserved it; it was his time," Russell said. "They expected so much from so many people, and then Kobe had his farewell tour, and it was just like, we put everything we had, expectations for everybody else, on hold. We gotta get through Kobe’s farewell tour and then we can continue with our process. So we kind of accepted that."

Ordinarily, when a second overall pick joins a squad, that player's development is put before everything else. But Russell explained he didn't get very much support from the coaching staff - as evidenced by him getting yanked in and out of the starting lineup all year.

"Everything I went through was new, and there was no guidance from the people that were supposed to give me the guidance," Russell said.

He still managed to grab a second team All-Rookie nod, but Russell said he made the most out of what he was given.

"It could have been better," Russell said. "It was my first year. I did the best I could do with what I could control. I’m not ashamed of it."

With Bryant and the former coaching regime in the rearview mirror, Russell and company can truly inherit the once-mighty Lakers. And with that in mind, the 20-year-old is hoping to follow through on those hopes with a standout sophomore year.

He got off on the right foot during summer league, when he dominated to the tune of 22 points, six rebounds, and four assists per game. Russell credited the new coaching philosophy for that change.

"It’s almost like you kind of knew you were capable, it’s just getting the opportunity," Russell said. "It’s all opportunity and being in the right system, the right program."