Lakers, Nuggets see D'Angelo Russell, Emmanuel Mudiay having a "competitive rivalry"

On the surface, it appeared that Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell and Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay simply completed a pregame routine that showcased their potential.

Russell made a few 3-pointers before working on post drills. On the other end of the court, Mudiay converted on some pull-up jumpers before perfecting his ball-handling skills. These moments also represented the preparation each rookie point guard took in hopes to give them an extra edge against each other.

“They have a little bit of a rivalry going on,” Lakers coach Byron Scott said before the Lakers hosted the Denver Nuggets on Friday at Staples Center. “When they come out and play against each other, it’s a lot of talking among those two.”

The reasons seem obvious.

The Lakers selected Russell No. 2 overall in the NBA draft last year, while the Nuggets picked Mudiay seventh. Both represent this season’s draft class top point guards. Scott stoked the flames earlier this season when he conceded he did not think Mudiay “was a true point guard” and questioned his decision-making during pre-draft workouts with the Lakers.

“That’s probably going to be a competitive rivalry for many, many years,” Nuggets coach Mike Malone said. “They are going to go after each other.”

Entering Friday’s game against Denver, Russell has produced more than Mudiay per game in points (13.3, 12.4) and shooting percentage (41.2, 35.5). Though Mudiay has logged more assists (5.6, 3.5), he also has committed more tuovers (3.2, 2.3).

The two head-to-head matchups this season tell a different story.

Mudiay topped Russell in points per game average (17, 15.5) and assists (8.5, 6) while Russell committed fewer tuovers than Mudiay (1.0, 3.0). The Nuggets won both games.

“They want to outplay each other, there’s no doubt about that,” Scott said. “Sometimes that outweighs the wiing part. I don’t mind a guy if he outplays me and we win the game. That’s the biggest thing. You win the game, then you have the bragging rights. But it doesn’t matter how many points you score.”

It has mattered to plenty of Lakers fans that Mudiay played more than Russell. Mudiay started in 57 out of 59 games at 30.4 minutes per night, while Russell started 37 out of 69 games at 27.7 per contest.

“How Bryon does it is his own way and how I do it is my own way. But the bottom line is the guys have improved,” Malone said. “I’m sure (Russell) wasn’t happy about (the bench role). But you have a choice in life. You can be a baby and pout about it, or you can be a man and work hard. It’s looked like from afar he has done that.”

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Up close, Scott has reached the same conclusion.

“Each month he’s gotten better and better. He’s gotten comfortable with his role and what he needs to do,” Scott said. “There are nights where he reverts back to his old self. But for the most part, he keeps growing.”

How that growth compares with Mudiay will remain an inevitable storyline anytime the two take the floor at the same time.

“I love the matchup,” Scott said. “It’s good for both of those young guys. They’re going to see a lot of each other for the next 10 years.”