The Los Angeles Lakers are benefiting from strong leadership qualities from veteran guard D’Angelo Russell.

Following Friday night’s 131-125 win over the Toronto Raptors, head coach JJ Redick praised Russell’s commitment to being a leader for the 4-2 Lakers.

“He has been one of the most vocal leaders on our team,” Redick said, according to Khobi Price of the Orange County Register. “And this goes back to before training camp, the days when he was in the gym. That’s one of the challenges I gave him the first day he came to the gym, and he was using his voice. He was energetic and we talked about it afterward, and I said, “This has to be your standard every day, no matter if the shots come or not, or if you get subbed at the end. of a match.”

Russell scored 19 points and had six assists and three rebounds in 32 minutes in the win over the Raptors. He’s averaging 12.2 points, 5.8 assists and 2.3 rebounds in six games so far.

The Lakers are hoping he can continue his strong play and carve out a leadership role on a roster that already leans heavily on LeBron James and Anthony Davis to carry the load.

This is also a team featuring a first-time head coach in Redick and several developing pieces in Bronny James and Dalton Knecht who could learn from Russell’s experience, although James is expected to spend time in the G-League .

Russell and the Lakers will look to improve to 5-2 on Monday when they take on the Detroit Pistons.