Rui Hachimura Discussion: Huge Buckets

His defense is improving a lot. Great game last game, too. Glad he's still around. Don't think he's going anywhere.

 

Very interested to see how DFS coming in impacts how we use Rui. I don't think Ham wanting to bring Rui off the bench at the start of last season was a bad idea, the mistake was not adjusting when it clearly wasn't working. I like the idea of playing DFS with LeBron and AD more so than Rui, and letting Rui do more of his midrange and post stuff against second units. It could help combat the lack of playmaking in the second unit without DLo.

 

I expect Rui to be highly motivated moving forward. Dfs is coming for his starting spot. If (I said If!!)Vando gets back in a couple of weeks and shows some chemistry with Finney-Smith, Rui might all of sudden, find himself on the trade block.
It's a cold game, and I really like Rui, but he is, the only real decent tradable piece we have left.

 

The Lakers are getting fooled by some good games here and there but Rui lack of IQ and unwillingness to play big/physical as he could and should get exposed each time we're playing the best teams of the league .

He's a 8th guy on your team if you're serious about winning .

 

We've only had DFS for a few games, but I think its becoming apparent that DFS may work better on that starting lineup while Rui's skillset might be best utilized off the bench. If/when that move is made, it will say a lot about JJ. Not just whether he recognizes that its probably the right move, but whether he has the buy in from the team to make it happen. Rui's unclear role the first half of last year was one of the biggest marks against Ham. Moving DLo to the bench seemed fine, so I'm hopeful Rui takes it in stride and embraces a bench scorer role if/when the time comes.

 

was going to say same. this is another chance for jj to show he's got what it takes to lead. gotta find a way to get rui to buy in to a bench role after he worked hard and played well to get the starting spot.

 

I fear that Rui will just wilt if moved to the bench.
Anyway, I trust JJ’s judgement with the rotations because he’s done nothing to prove me otherwise.

 

I think the starting job is Rui’s until we hit a rough patch. Guessing JJ recognizes that DFS is a better fit with the starters, but making the move prematurely could hurt Rui’s morale.

If JJ times it right, I believe he can sell Rui on it being an opportunity to balance strengths and he would get the same minutes and the same (or more) scoring opportunities as a focal point with the 2nd unit.

 

Told you so 1 rebound

 

Rui is great off the bench, he wouldn't have started last season if Vanderbilt was healthy. That's why I didn't really get all the uproar about Rui not being in the starting lineup. Ideally he shouldn't be.

There is absolutely nothing wrong, with bringing in some double digit scoring, off the bench IMO.

 

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/rui
-stats-when-starting-lakers

13.7ppg, 5.1 rpg, 53% FG and 1.5 triples at 43% 3FG

Vs

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/rui-stats-when-benched-lakers

10.1ppg, 3.9 rpg, 48%FG and 0.9 triples at 35% 3FG

He's worse in every metric.
I want to trade him for an upgrade in shot creation and/or a center

 

Shrug those numbers don't have any context...you are pretty consistent throwing out stuff without context. Oh gee..It depends on who he's playing with!!..lol..that's not some kind of profound observation

 

Rui is a guy who needs rhythm. He's also kinda sleepy so he doesn't get hot quickly, he needs extended stretches when he plays to get going and definitely to be involved on offense. For some reason, he takes it personal when he's benched with us.
He plays worse when benched, that's my opinion from watching him and supported by data. What's the basis of your opinion?

 

I'd switch out him for DFS right now and continue to shop his contract.

 

Rui is a guy that needs to get up shots period. It doesn't matter if he's starting are coming off the bench. If he's not getting up shots, he tends to disappear. He's never been a good rebounder or defender, his mojo comes from scoring. That's my observation of him since I first started watching him in Washington. It's also the reason he ends up getting pulled from the starting lineups, here and in Washington. Might possibly end being why he gets moved in LA and Washington.

I say bring him off the bench with the green light and let him do his thing. It would be better for the team, 6th Man of the Year, isn't a bad accomplishment.

 

Our past Laker scapegoat DLo is gone. Rui you got the juice now!

 

lol. poor rui. i feel like he's made strides, but is an awkward fit. definitely not looking to move him unless we're really shoring up a weakness, though.

 

Rui most definitely is not the problem with this team, but have at it.

 

Love Rui but he’s more of a LeBron replacement when he misses time rather than an LBJ running mate