TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 8: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait during the 2015 NBA rookie photo shoot on August 8, 2015 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)Jennifer Pottheiser/Getty Images

Lakers Rookie D'Angelo Russell Calls Kobe Bryant 'His Michael Jordan'

Kyle NewportAug 10, 2015

Los Angeles Lakers rookie D'Angelo Russell was born in 1996—or in other terms, the start of the Chicago Bulls' second title run. That means the 19-year-old Laker never got to follow Michael Jordan during his prime the way other current NBA veterans did.

He did, however, get to watch Kobe Bryant during his prime.

As a result, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft views his new teammate as his version of Jordan.

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On SiriusXM NBA Radio's NBA Today with Justin Termine and Noah Coslov, Russell revealed his thoughts on the Black Mamba and some other interesting topics:

Some may try to make something out of the fact that Russell said he has yet to meet Bryant—more than a month after being drafted—or that he has only talked to the Black Mamba for a grand total of about 30 seconds.

However, that's not a huge deal. It's still the offseason for NBA players, and for a veteran like Bryant, this is a time to relax. There will be plenty of time for the two to get to know each other.

The biggest takeaway from this clip is the fact that the rookie is looking forward to playing with a player he grew up watching and imitating.

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