“Public humiliation has done nothing but mold me into the killer that you all see today,” said Russell during his postgame news conference. “I never lack confidence. I never fear confrontation. I want all the smoke. I want to talk about it.”

Russell, the previous No. 2 overall selection in the 2015 NBA Draft, has faced criticism on occasion throughout the years. The all-time great leveled harsh criticism at Russell following his trade by the Lakers in 2017, which was announced by Magic Johnson, the team president at the time.

“A leader was what I needed… Johnson stated at the time, “I needed someone who can help the other players get better and who players want to play with.”

Russell faced criticism as recently as the previous year for the Lakers’ dismal performance against the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals.

Russell shot 32.3 percent from the floor, including 13.3 percent from outside the arc, and averaged 6.3 points per game during the series.

Gilbert Arenas, a former NBA All-Star, was one of those making fun ofRussell for making just four shot attempts during the WCF sweep in Game 4.

According to Arenas, who was speaking to Basketball Network, “I don’t need you taking 200 shots after a game, right? You come to the game to shoot four.”

Russell guided the Lakers to a crucial victory over the Bucks, the dominant team in the Eastern Conference, and no one is condemning him.

only four shots in Game 4 of the WCF sweep.

“I don’t need you taking 200 shots after a game, right, and you come to the game to shoot four,” said Arenas, via Basketball Network.

No one is criticizing Russell after he propelled the Lakers to a needed win over the Eastern Conference heavyweights Bucks, 123-122.

He’s done fine for himself managing public humiliation, but we’ll soon learn how Russell does with the public’s approval.