Ever since the Lakers won the #2 draft pick, I've been researching non-stop and debating back-and-forth between Jahlil Okafor and D'Angelo Russell.

Both are going to be brilliant on offense, and both will equally have to improve their defense. But after watching a few interviews, I realized Russell has something that Okafor and Towns don't really have — that cockiness and competitive fire that says, "I am the best damn player in this room and I will fucking prove it to you all."

That's the stuff that separates the really good players from the great players.

MJ has it. Kobe has it. LeBron has it. I think D'Angelo has it too.

So this morning, I called it on Twitter. Low and behold, I was right.

Welcome to Los Angeles, D'Angelo!!

Mike Trudell:

There was only an 11.9 percent chance that the Lakers would get the second pick, but team representative, coach and former Laker himself Byron Scott was more than happy to see his team grab the pick that will be L.A.'s highest since James Worthy went No. 1 in 1982.

There was a better chance that L.A. would lose its selection to Philadelphia (via Phoenix in the Steve Nash trade) by having two teams jump into the top three ahead of them, but it wasn't that kind of night for the Lakers.

There was only one team to jump up in draft position -- the Lakers.

The Basketball Gods smile upon the city of Los Angeles!

Kobe:

When you watch me shoot my fadeaway jumper, you’ll notice my leg is always extended. I had problems making that shot in the past. It’s tough. So one day I’m watching the Discovery Channel and see a cheetah hunting. When the cheetah runs, its tail always gives it balance, even if it’s cutting a sharp angle. And that’s when I was like: My leg could be the tail, right?

The greatest minds find inspiration from anything and everything.

Welcome to the City of Champions, Dwight.

Hustle. When all else fails...hustle.

LakersGround.net:

* denotes eventual game-winner

Source: List of Kobe Bryant Game Winning Shots