>>Lakers Rookie Russell Says LA Is A Playoff Team

The Los Angeles Lakers have made a lot of changes this offseason, none more important than selecting guard D'Angelo Russell with the No. 2 pick in the draft. The front office has faith that Russell will help turn the franchise around, and he's talented enough to be a huge part of that. It will likely take a while, however. This is a team that won 21 games last season.

Russell, though, doesn't sound like he's very patient. "Expectations are high," Russell told Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy, "but this Lakers squad will most definitely be a playoff team."

Wow. Even Kobe Bryant hedged a little on this subject, saying that while the Lakers "absolutely" can make the playoffs, they really don't know how the pieces are going to come together. Russell said they will most definitely be in the postseason, which is really something. Especially considering they are a Western Conference team.

>>Spurs Duncan Excited About Aldridge Joining Team

After seeing that LaMarcus Aldridge was heavily considering signing with the San Antonio Spurs early in the free agency process, Tim Duncan confirmed that he would be returning to play in his 19th NBA season. Duncan knows that Aldridge is the key to the Spurs winning another championship, and as he told Bleacher Report's Jared Zwerling, he can't wait to push and help his new teammate.

In assessing how he'll mesh with Aldridge, Duncan says, “I'm not worried about him benefiting my game; I'm going to worry about me benefiting his. I'm going to let him do his thing and just see where I can fit in and help. I'm going to ride his coattails and I'm going to push him.”

Duncan hasn't played with an offensive big man like Aldridge since David Robinson, so you can understand his excitement. As Duncan's career winds down, he is still playing at an All-Star level, but the addition of Aldridge should help him conserve his body for the playoffs and San Antonio's hopeful championship run.

Aldridge has already said that he isn't worried about his game meshing with Duncan, so it sounds like the two are already on the same page well before the season starts. It may take the Spurs and Aldridge some time to properly acclimate to each other. However, Duncan seems willing to help his new teammate through this process.

(Story Courtesy of CBSSports.com)