Why Rui Hachimura is the Perfect Fit in the Lakers' Starting Unit

TLDRRui Hachimura's size, scoring ability, and versatility make him a great fit in the Lakers' starting lineup alongside Anthony Davis and LeBron James. He consistently exposes mismatches, attacks advantages, and has a high shooting percentage. Hachimura's presence adds another scorer and playmaker to the starting five, creating a well-rounded and self-sufficient unit.

Key insights

🔥Hachimura consistently exposes mismatches and uses his size and scoring ability to attack advantages.

💪His physicality and strength allow him to overpower smaller defenders and finish near the basket with ease.

🎯Hachimura has a high shooting percentage from all areas of the court, including mid-range and three-point shots.

🔄His face-up game and ability to back down smaller defenders open up scoring opportunities for his teammates.

🛡️Defensively, Hachimura's size and length make the Lakers more versatile, allowing for seamless switches and rim protection.

Q&A

Why is Rui Hachimura a great fit in the Lakers' starting lineup?

Hachimura's size, scoring ability, and versatility make him a perfect fit alongside Anthony Davis and LeBron James. He consistently exploits mismatches, attacks advantages, and has a high shooting percentage from all areas of the court.

What is Hachimura's biggest strength as a player?

His physicality and strength allow him to overpower smaller defenders and finish near the basket with ease. He also has a strong face-up game and the ability to back down defenders, creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.

What is Hachimura's shooting ability like?

Hachimura has a high shooting percentage from all areas of the court, including mid-range and three-point shots. He consistently hits shots from the corner and is a reliable scoring option for the Lakers' starting lineup.

How does Hachimura contribute to the Lakers' offense?

Hachimura's scoring ability, playmaking skills, and size add another dimension to the Lakers' offense. He can create his own shot, draw double teams, and open up scoring opportunities for his teammates.

What does Hachimura bring to the Lakers' defense?

Defensively, Hachimura's size and length make the Lakers more versatile. He can seamlessly switch onto different positions and provide rim protection, relieving pressure on Anthony Davis and allowing him to stretch out to the perimeter.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Jackson Frank tweeted the Lakers are 16-7 with the NBA's second-ranked offense and a +5.1 net rating since inserting Rui Hachimura into the starting lineup in March.

00:23Hachimura thrives at exposing mismatches and takes advantage of his size and scoring ability to attack advantages.

01:13Hachimura consistently scores using his physicality and strength, overpowering smaller defenders near the basket.

02:08Hachimura has a high shooting percentage, hitting shots from all areas of the court, including mid-range and three-point shots.

03:07His face-up game and ability to back down smaller defenders create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.

04:15Defensively, Hachimura's size and length make the Lakers more versatile, allowing for seamless switches and rim protection.

05:57Hachimura's presence in the Lakers' starting lineup adds another scorer and playmaker, making the unit well-rounded and self-sufficient.

06:26As Hachimura continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how he further impacts the Lakers' starting five.