SAN FRANCISCO – If he could, D’Angelo Russell would train with Stephen Curry all the time. Then, Russell could see up close how Curry makes almost every shot he takes. Or how Curry creates separation against stronger defenders. Or he could ask Curry any question he had since admiring him growing up.

Instead, the 23-year-old Russell has spent the beginning of his first campaign with the Golden State Warriors trying to learn from his idol in a different manner.

“I’m doing a lot of spectating,” Russell said in an interview with USA TODAY Sports. “I’m just seeing what I can learn from him from a distance. Then, I can come up with the correct questions and the correct demeanor on what I’m trying to learn versus nagging him about stuff.”

That moment captures Russell’s belief that he can maximize his partnership with Curry by allowing it to grow organically. It also highlights how Russell has become increasingly attentive to details after joining his third team for his fifth NBA season.

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After the Los Angeles Lakers selected him with the No. 2 pick in the 2015 draft, Russell experienced mixed progress. The Lakers then dealt him to the Brooklyn Nets, and after Russell spent the past two seasons in Brooklyn learning more consistent habits and eventually becoming an All-Star, the Warriors acquired Russell in a sign-and-trade to offset Kevin Durant’s departure..

Through training camp, Russell’s idol likes what he sees. In the Warriors’ 124-103 preseason win over the Lakers on Friday at Chase Center, Russell finished with 29 points while shooting 9-of-19 from the field and 6-of-11 from 3-point range along with three assists. With Curry scoring 32 points on similarly efficient numbers from the field (9-of-20) and from deep (6-of-15), the Warriors are aware their backcourt scoring will largely determine the team’s success this season.

“He plays at his own pace and is willing to learn,” Curry said of Russell. “He’s hungry to make that next step in his career.”

A needed caveat. The Warriors treated their preseason finale against the Lakers as a dress rehearsal. Curry, Russell and Draymond Green all played, while the Lakers sat LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, Dwight Howard and Quinn Cook. So it remains hard to tell if Russell’s performance reveals how well he will complement Curry and offset Klay Thompson’s expected absence through the All-Star break.

The Warriors have seen positive glimpses, though. Warriors coach Steve Kerr described Russell as “eager to learn” and “a really good teammate.” That includes when Russell either trains with Curry or observes from the sideline.

“It’s always helpful to be able to coach a guy after the initial shock of being in the NBA happens,” Kerr said. “Once a player gets accustomed to the game and figures out how to become a pro and how to work, it’s a lot easier to coach him. I think D’Angelo has really become a pro and has become a great player in this league. We’re getting him at the right time.”

The Los Angeles Lakers did not draft Russell at the right time in 2015. Following Russell’s freshman season at Ohio State, the Lakers became enamored with Russell for his passing, outside shooting and confidence. Russell did not show those qualities consistently both because of organizational dysfunction and self-inflicted wounds. The Lakers placed higher priority on Kobe Bryant’s farewell tour than developing the team’s younger players Lakers coach Byron Scott also harped more on Russell’s mistakes than his development. Yet, Scott’s frustration also stemmed from Russell’s inconsistent work habits, which prompted Scott to remove Russell’s starting spot 20 games into the season. Russell’s standing within the locker room later diminished after he inadvertently posted a video of teammate Nick Young admitting to infidelities.

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When the Lakers hired Luke Walton to replace Scott the following season, Russell thrived more under Walton’s positive reinforcement and modern-based offense. Still, the Lakers traded Russell the following summer to Brooklyn in part to shed a bad contract (Timofey Mozgov’s three-year, $48 million deal), acquiring a proven center (Brook Lopez) and collecting another draft pick (No. 27). But former Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson also suggested the team dealt Russell because of his attitude.

So even if Russell thanked veterans Kobe Bryant, Lou Williams, Metta World Peace and Roy Hibbert for their guidance, Russell viewed the Lakers’ direction with some skepticism.

“I got to see the dysfunction as well,” Russell said. “Not every organization is like that. Coming in as a young player, you see things that you see and you think it’s normal. Then you come to an organization like Brooklyn, and it’s the complete opposite.”

Russell respectfully declined to detail the Lakers’ dysfunction. He only said, “there is a lot of extra energy with being in a Lakers uniform.”

Walton, the Sacramento Kings’ head coach and a former Warriors assistant (2014-16), spoke with the Warriors’ coaching staff about Russell after his lone season coaching him. Kerr mostly received rave reviews and believes that experience has helped Russell adapt to a similar offense. Yet, Kerr considers Russell’s time with the Nets to be “the more relevant experience.”

The reason? Russell began blossoming into a better version of himself. Russell became more empowered under Nets coach Kenny Atkinson, whom Russell described as “super positive.” Russell liked how the Nets carved out individual player development programs to foster organic growth. Russell also felt increasingly motivated to develop better habits, which included improved sleep, diet and treatment. In related news, Russell made his first appearance in an All-Star Game and playoff series.

“I sacrificed fun and cut that in half,” Russell said. “It’s easy to be just a basketball player, get paid and come here to do that. But to be professional about it is different. I learned how to be a professional.”

The Warriors noticed. So when Kevin Durant left for Brooklyn, the Warriors sought a consolation prize. Mindful that the Nets also agreed to acquire All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving, the Warriors inquired about Russell’s availability. The Lakers wanted Russell to pair him with James and Davis. So did the Minnesota Timberwolves, especially since Karl-Anthony Towns remains close friends with Russell. Russell declined those overtures for the Warriors.

“When I was in LA, the structure wasn’t up to par as I wanted it to be,” Russell said. “Then when I went to Brooklyn and I got a taste of what structure was, I came here and am thinking when I had the opportunity to evaluate every team that I was possibly going to, I took structure into consideration.”

Russell also considered that the Warriors offered a max deal worth $117 million for four years.

“I was ready to take it,” Russell said. “I don’t care what team it was. I thought that’s what I deserved. I feel like I played my way into it.”

Russell expressed understanding of the parameters. The Warriors could trade Russell sometime after Dec. 15, leading into the Feb. 6 trade deadline or next summer. Or the Warriors could view him as an investment with Curry, Thompson and Green. Either way, Russell argued, “when you’re not the Steph Currys or the Kyrie Irvings of the league, long-term promises are irrelevant.”.

Russell has become determined to maximize his time here.

He has remained open toward operating as a primary ball handler or moving off the ball. He has helped younger teammates with the offensive schemes. He has owned up to his defensive shortcomings. Lastly, he has tried to maximize his learning experience with Curry

Russell and Curry trained extensively during the summer. Through training camp, Russell often completed individual workouts with Curry. Warriors assistant coach Bruce Fraser, who works closely with Curry, observed that Russell “has kept up with Steph in shooting.” Other times, Russell has also trained with Warriors assistant coach Theo Robertson.

“When I get the opportunity to work with (Curry), I try to do that without messing up his routine and his rhythm,” Russell said. “Whenever he allows me to jump in, I’m right there. On other days, when he wants to be by himself, I’m with Theo. It’s kind of a mixed balance.”

And it's a balance that Russell’s idol believes he has already mastered.

“He’s always asking the right questions. He’s eager to learn and grow,” Curry said. “It’s nice to see a guy get paid in the summer and is still hungry to get better.”

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