Lakers News: LeBron James Has New Nickname For Rui Hachimura
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James spent most of his summer alongside power forward Rui Hachimura as the frontcourt duo worked out for much of the offseason.
The now 21-year-veteran liked what he saw from the 2023 trade deadline acquisition and bestowed a new nickname for the young forward at LA's media day earlier Monday, per Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times:
Hachimura signed a three-year extension with Los Angeles this summer after an impressive showing in the postseason as a reserve for Darvin Ham's roster.
The former Wizard provided quite the punch to LA's season after other young prospects in D.C. opened the door for a trade to the West Coast for the Japanese international.
Rob Pelinka ended up laughing to the bank with the acquisition after the former lottery pick showed impressive three-point skills, post-defense and scoring range for a team that sorely needed him.
Gonzaga's own was arguably the third-best player on LA's postseason roster and could now start alongside Anthony Davis in the starting lineup or slot into a sixth-man role to begin the year.
Minutes could be hard to come by with Jared Vanderbilt's defensive skill set, but Hachimura's offense impressed James enough to give him this famed moniker from a classic film.
James only hopes his teachings pass on in the way he expects as this year's Laker roster may be the best since his championship season in 2020.
Basketball's all-time leading scorer continues to defy age and logic but it's no secret he isn't the athletic wonder that jumped out of the gym while still a Cleveland Cavalier.
With Hachimura's help, such a workload may not be necessary and a storybook ending to his Hollywood career becomes all the more likely.
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