Rui Hachimura Discussion: Huge Buckets

I was hoping Smart could start hitting League Average from 3 but he ain’t close. I do love what he brings on defense against smaller to mid size players.

 

Try defending. Rebounding. Setting a screen. Anything.

You know where you'll get more touches from? The bench. Go now!

 

he's not wrong, though. reaves and luka are feasting, but it's requiring them having the ball a lot. and that's a functional offense in the nba today. hell, in the playoffs it's probably preferable, as it should lead to fewer turnovers most of the time (luka missed this memo yesterday).

anyway, one shot for a guy averaging 15ppg is pretty strange and requires several forces (not) working together.

 

Teams with good perimeter defenders can keep Luka and Austin from getting into the paint, which keeps the help defenders from having to collapse on them, which takes away those Rui corner threes or baseline cuts.

 

Too bad that 1 rebound cost him a perfect game shut out.

 

Yes, but he has a bad habit of Casper'ing. There's other ways to contribute and if you want a touch, make a cut. Go grab the offensive board and go back up with it. Wave your hands. Jump up and down. Set a screen and roll to the cup or pop out.

We have ball dominate players but all three are willing passers. They had no problem getting the ball to Ayton, DK, Gabe in this one.

If you're just going to stand there and wait for the ball to find you, I don't feel bad for you when you don't get it.

 

Almost got the Animal House special

 

Rui being a PF with two other guys who like to guard forward in Lebron and Luka, not a wing/POA defender, and his lack of motor is just a bad fit with the starters.

Really need a defensive guard with a motor to compensate for having 3 primary playmakers int he starting lineup

 

He had 0% usage rate 1st half. 1.7% for the game.

Luka had 50% first half. 49% for the game.

Both numbers are insane and are abnormal. Both (and the team) are to blame. It's not one person's fault, each guy can and should do better

 

It's a fit issue: Rui's lack of motor, he's basically statue in basketbal terms if not shooting a 3 or attacking a closeout, exacerbates these kinds of issues against the best teams. SInce he's not going to get boards, steals, etc he doesn't create possessions where his usage can go up independently of the playmakers.

Rui is a solid rotation playoff player IMO but the Lakers and him would be much better off as a bench player. His post and mid range game could add real scoring punch to the bench. It's barely used with the starters becuase guys like Luka are just better at these spots

 

Ham was a bad coach, but I do think he was onto something bringing Rui off the bench to start the 2023-2024 season. I do think there is a version of Rui that could be used more as a bench scorer, in addition to a spot-up shooter when he's playing next to the main guys. Like in the Luka by himself minutes, maybe try to use Rui to punish mismatches.