Tangiero Russell reveals the reason for respecting Curry, implicitly mocking James, causing controversy

Brooklyn Nets star Dangelo Russell, after being sent away by the Los Angeles Lakers trade, also expressed his dissatisfaction with the Lakers management or some Lakers teammates in interviews many times in some programs. Because he is in a contract year, he needs to get more opportunities to perform and earn bigger contracts. As a result, the Lakers not only reduced his ball and tactical status, but also promoted Reeves, causing his value to plummet. Even if he plays for the Nets now, the Nets are not willing to offer a long-term contract with an annual salary of more than $18 million to renew Dangelo Russell.

After entering the 2025 offseason, Tangiero Russell conducted a tour of China. Recently, on a podcast, he talked about why he respected Stephen Curry and Tangelo Russell's remarks, which were also regarded by many fans and media as a satirizing former Lakers teammate LeBron James.

Danjilo Russell said, "Stephen plays this way, 'I don't need the referee mentality'. When you look around the league, who is doing this? That's why he gets so much trust, that's why he is my favorite player. I know he's yours, but that's why I respect him so much."

Stephen Curry averaged only 4.3 free throws per game, scoring 24.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.4 blocks per game. You should know that Stephen Curry has only 1 season of his career, and has averaged more than 6 free throws per game.

In fact, this is related to Stephen Curry's playing style and the Warriors' tactical arrangements. It is not that Stephen Curry did not complain to the referee, but was not qualified to complain. In terms of the opponent's personal defense, most superstar players in the league receive defensive treatment like Stephen Curry, and he is not the only one who takes this treatment.

Take LeBron James as an example. When playing against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2024-25 season, Edwards often used rugby-style active pushing and shoving defense to interfere with LeBron James, and the referee did not call a foul. Compared with the defense encountered by LeBron James, Stephen Curry's defenses seem to be almost all pediatrics. LeBron James faces push, pull, hug, and both are large-scale power-based actions.

Plus Stephen Curry's teammates often have some unconventional fouls when helping Stephen Curry cover the pick-and-roll. The referee does not frequently call out these small fouls from the Golden State Warriors players, and they have made a lot of profits. How could Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors complain to the referee for their own profits? For example, after the referees began to focus on unconventional moving pick-and-rolls in recent seasons, the offensive threats of the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry have dropped significantly. It is reasonable that Stephen Curry did not get more foul free throws. It was mainly some moving pick-and-rolls from his teammates who helped him block the defensive players and created some time gaps, allowing him to get some offensive opportunities close to open positions. When the defensive player followed Stephen Curry, he had already made a move, and it was difficult to have confrontational contact when shooting. Moreover, even if you are playing according to the real rules, you should first call the Golden State Warriors for a pick-and-roll foul. Once the Warriors are called for a foul, Stephen Curry will not be fouled for a layup in the future, and there will be no so-called no free throw.

This is the balance whistle given by the referee. I allow you to make a profit from pick-and-roll, but the opponent will definitely allow big moves to defend, and there are even some foul moves. In this case, it is most reasonable not to both sides. Because once you play according to the standards, you must first play the Warriors pick-and-roll foul. In this way, Stephen Curry will not have the chance to be fouled at the offense. This is one of the referee's fair and smart swearings.

Not to mention that the opponent has a large defense standard when facing Stephen Curry. Kevin Rooney, Draymond Green and Gary Payton face their opponent's core, their close defense is also large. So, this is a mutual thing. You say that the opponent has a large defense standard, but the Golden State Warriors have a large defense standard. Draymond Green did not have many intentional attacks, and he was almost suspended for life by the league before.

Danjilo Russell's remarks also include many fans and media who think he is satirizing LeBron James, because in the past few seasons, LeBron James has been calling on fans and media to respect themselves. Moreover, he often complains that the referee's call is unfair and that he should get more free throws.