Tag: Rui Hachimura

Rui Hachimura says working out with LeBron James made him more confident

Lakers forward Rui Hachimura truly believes that training with LeBron James last summer has helped his overall game.

Rui Hachimura went through ups and downs this season. He spent a sizable portion of the opening weeks of the regular season on the injured list with multiple ailments. When he was on the court, his production went up and down.

But in early February, he gained a permanent spot in the Los Angeles Lakers’ starting lineup. From that point, he played very well — until the first round of the playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, when he failed to reach double figures in scoring in four of the five games played.

Some have criticized Hachimura as a result and hope the Lakers trade him this offseason. But his talent and skills are undeniable. He is an adept one-on-one scorer, and while he has some trouble guarding opponents on the perimeter, he can at least make bulky big man work to get points in the paint.

He worked out with LeBron James extensively last summer, and he recently talked about how it has aided his game.

Via Silver Screen and Roll:

“Last year, I spent a lot of time with him, work out with him,” Hachimura said. “Especially with him, I feel like he doesn’t work out with other people. I was really appreciative of the time and the energy he spent with me. I learned a lot of stuff. I think I was able to use that this season. I kind of watched him closely. Working out with him made me more confident. Just throughout the season, me and him’s chemistry got much better than last year I feel like. I see his basketball IQ and all that. It’s an honor to be around him, his journey and playing with him.”

Hachimura is under contract for two more seasons after signing a new contract last summer. If the Lakers do end up trading him, it would leave a sizable hole in their frontcourt, despite his flaws.

Report: Lakers players wanted head coach Darvin Ham fired earlier this season

The issues Lakers players have had with head coach Darvin Ham may have been more serious than they have seemed to be.

The Los Angeles Lakers have dealt with spurts of disappointing play this season. They started the year 3-5, and although they won 11 of their next 15 games, they then went through a horrible slump for much of December and into early January.

By mid-January, Los Angeles was 19-21, which was a far cry from the expectations many had for it when the season started. As a result, head coach Darvin Ham was made into the scapegoat by fans, many of whom attacked him on social media and practically begged for him to be fired.

It looks like fans weren’t the only ones who wanted Ham gone. According to a report, players on the team also wanted him to be shown the door.

Via Hoops Wire:

“A source told Hoops Wire that Lakers players wanted assistant coach Phil Handy to replace Ham earlier in the season,” wrote Ashish Mathur. “However, Los Angeles owner Jeanie Buss is a fan of Ham, and she has never thought about firing him as coach, the source said.

“LeBron (James), arguably the greatest player in NBA history, has ignored Ham in many huddles this season and communicated with Handy instead on what the Lakers should run, the source said.”

Mathur also named Anthony Davis and forward Rui Hachimura as two players who are down on Ham.

There was at least one report earlier this season about how Lakers players were unhappy about Ham’s coaching. In fact, according to some sources, if the team doesn’t make the playoffs this season, his job may not be safe this summer.

After recently winning nine of 10 games, the Lakers have lost two in a row, at least partly due to James and Davis being compromised by health issues. They’re clinging to ninth place in the Western Conference and are just half a game ahead of the 10th-place Golden State Warriors.

Rui Hachimura: Lakers vs. Warriors will be almost a playoff game

Rui Hachimura is one Lakers player who at least verbally acknowledges the importance of Saturday’s game versus the Warriors.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been stuck in the lower bracket of the Western Conference play-in tournament picture for quite some time. They’re running out of time to move up in the standards, and in fact, their time to do so may have already passed.

With a 36-31 record, they’re two games behind the eighth-place Dallas Mavericks and three games behind the seventh-place Phoenix Suns. Los Angeles is also only one game ahead of the Golden State Warriors, who are in 10th place in the West.

The Warriors also happen to be the team L.A. will face on Saturday, making it yet another critical contest for LeBron James and crew.

Forward Rui Hachimura said the contest will be “almost a playoff game.”

Via ESPN:

“It’s going to be a big game, it’s almost a playoff game,” Hachimura said after Lakers practice Friday. “We played them so many times I feel like — the preseason, the playoffs and regular-season games, all that. So, we know each other well.”

“… Who wants it more?” Hachimura said. “We got to show the emotion and try to get this one tomorrow.”

Of course, at least one Lakers player has said similar things before some other critical games recently. The team was showing some definite signs of life during the first half of February, but since the All-Star break, it has gone just 6-5.

5 realistic trade targets for the Lakers that would make LeBron James happy

These players are actually available for a price the Lakers can afford.

As we approach the 2024 NBA trade deadline, basketball fans can almost definitely count out any deal involving LeBron James.

But that doesn’t mean that James doesn’t want more talent on the roster in Los Angeles. James is applying pressure on the organization to make some moves, which is not exactly unusual behavior for the four-time NBA Finals MVP this time of year.

This is perhaps a quieter trade deadline than normal because many of the bigger names (e.g. James Harden, OG Anunoby, and Pascal Siakam) were moved earlier this season.

However, several other players are still potentially available and could make for a good fit in Los Angeles.

We looked at some options actually on the market within a price range that Los Angeles could afford. That means the Lakers could realistically make a move for some of the following players if they want to make the playoffs and potentially even avoid the play-in tournament:

Positive injury update on Rui Hachimura for Lakers vs. Jazz game

The Lakers could be at nearly full health when they visit the Jazz on Saturday.

All season, it has seemed the Los Angeles Lakers lose one or two players to minor injuries and get them back a few games later only to see one or two other players go down with new injuries.

They have lost 11 of their last 16 games since winning the in-season tournament. With a 19-20 record, they’re 11th in the Western Conference. With each growing day, the chances of them missing the play-in tournament for the second time in three seasons increase.

Every game these days is a virtual must-win game for L.A., including its Saturday contest at the Utah Jazz. The good news is that forward Rui Hachimura, who has missed its last five games with a calf ailment, will be available to play on Saturday.

Even better, Christian Wood, who missed Thursday’s loss to the Phoenix Suns with a migraine, is listed as probable.

Hachimura has been hit harder by injuries than almost any other Lakers player so far this season. He has played in only 25 of the team’s 39 games, but when he has played, he has put up 11.6 points in 23.5 minutes a game.

Wood, meanwhile, has gotten himself back into the Lakers’ rotation and has given the team a lift offensively. His fine play of late has included some red-hot 3-point shooting.

Lakers land Marcus Smart, four others in massive three-team B/R mock trade

Would this mock trade supply the Lakers with the missing pieces they need to contend for the NBA championship?

There is just under a month to go before the NBA trade deadline, and rumors are flying regarding what the Los Angeles Lakers might do to make a serious run at another world championship.

The team is 19-19 and in ninth place in the Western Conference, which is not exactly what fans imagined when the season started. While injuries and a rough December travel schedule have been factors, it’s also clear L.A. could use a reinforcement or two.

The Lakers have been linked to Zach LaVine and Dejounte Murray, but landing either seems unlikely due to the asking price both are likely to command.

Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report proposed a big three-team trade involving the Memphis Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets that could give the Purple and Gold what’s needed to make a title run.

Rui Hachimura will not play in Tuesday’s Lakers vs. Raptors game

The Lakers will continue to be without a key reserve when they host the Raptors on Tuesday.

Their win on Sunday over the Los Angeles Clippers notwithstanding, the Los Angeles Lakers are still in dire need of wins in bunches. They are 18-19 and in 10th place in the Western Conference, one half game ahead of the Utah Jazz and Golden State Warriors.

Injuries have been a factor, but they gained some help on that front Sunday when guard D’Angelo Russell returned after missing three games with a bruised tailbone. He got going offensively later in the second half to help the Lakers to their 106-103 victory.

Forward Rui Hachimura, a key piece off the bench, has been banged up throughout the season and has appeared in just 25 of the 37 games as a result. He is dealing with a strained calf that has sidelined him for the team’s last three games.

He was upgraded to doubtful for Tuesday’s matchup with the Toronto Raptors, but he was ruled out not too long before the opening tip.

The Lakers have really missed Hachimura’s ability to score one-on-one, run the floor, finish on the fast break and hold his own defensively against opposing big men.

Rui Hachimura out, D’Angelo Russell doubtful for Lakers vs. Heat game

As has been the case so far this season, the Lakers continue to seem to be unable to catch a break when it comes to injuries.

The Los Angeles Lakers ended a rough stretch of games with a 129-109 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on New Year’s Eve. They had Monday and Tuesday off, and it was a much-needed respite for a team that had lost eight of its last 11 games and played 10 of its last 13 games away from Los Angeles.

The Lakers will host the Miami Heat on Wednesday. It will begin a stretch in which they will play 11 of 12 games at Crypto.com Arena. This stretch will give them a golden opportunity to improve their dismal 17-17 record.

Unfortunately, their season-long injury woes continue. Forward Rui Hachimura will not play due to a left calf strain he sustained on Sunday. In addition, guard D’Angelo Russell is doubtful because of a tailbone contusion he suffered on Saturday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Heat are 19-14 and in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. They are a team that, regardless of their record, should never be taken lightly, especially by a struggling and short-handed Lakers squad.

Rui Hachimura will not return to Lakers vs. Pelicans game

The Lakers fell behind early on Sunday to the Pelicans, and they will have to attempt a comeback while being short-handed.

The Los Angeles Lakers are closing 2023 with yet another road game, this time against the New Orleans Pelicans. They’re looking to rebound after a frustrating and somewhat controversial 108-106 loss on Saturday to the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have the best record in the Western Conference.

The Lakers fell behind by a sizable margin early on Sunday: New Orleans seemed to simply have more energy and mojo. To make matters worse for L.A., forward Rui Hachimura exited the game after just eight minutes. He will not return due to a left calf strain.

The team is already short-handed. D’Angelo Russell and Cam Reddish were ruled out prior to the opening tip with a bruised tailbone and sore groin, respectively.

Writer suggests interesting Zach LaVine-less Lakers trade with Bulls

One journalist suggested a trade between the Lakers and Bulls that could improve the Lakers without the risk of taking on Zach LaVine.

The Los Angeles Lakers are 15-11 about two months into the NBA season, and they have fallen to eighth place in the Western Conference. While it clearly isn’t time to panic, some mild concern is warranted, given the legitimate championship expectations the team had when the season started.

Many believe L.A.’s biggest weaknesses are 3-point shooting, perimeter defense and perhaps frontcourt or wing depth. Some also believe the team needs a legitimate third scoring option to take some pressure off LeBron James and help it remain productive when the superstar is resting.

That has led to much speculation that Los Angeles is going to go after Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine via trade. However, people seem divided on whether that would be a prudent move for the Lakers. At least one prominent writer has said he isn’t who they should go after.

On the other hand, the Bulls have other intriguing trade targets, and many believe they will soon have a fire sale since they’re going nowhere fast.

Jordyn Bontrager of Lake Show Life proposed an interesting trade between the Lakers and Bulls that doesn’t involve LaVine but could address a couple of the Lakers’ needs.

Bulls receive: Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2029 first-round draft pick

Lakers receive: Alex Caruso, Patrick Williams