Lakers News: Rui Hachimura Emerged As Key X-Factor In Win Over Memphis
Although Los Angeles Lakers star center Anthony Davis understandably grabbed headlines with his 30-point, 22-rebound effort in a 112-103 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday, several less-heralded LA role players also stepped up.
One key X-factor in abetting the Lakers' victory was LA combo forward Rui Hachimura, acquired in a January trade that mercifully ended the fruitless Kendrick Nunn era in Los Angeles.
During the game, the 6'8" forward logged 17 points while shooting 7-of-11 from the floor and 2-of-2 from the charity stripe, all in 27:35, including 8:08 in the game's fourth frame. He also grabbed six rebounds.
Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times recently examined the impact of Hachimura in the bout, and gathered insights into his play courtesy of Hachimura himself, as well as head coach Darvin Ham.
“Yeah, I was trying to be aggressive on defense, offense and rebounding,” Hachimura noted. “I think I had a bigger job on that, and I was able to help the team to win.”
“The role and everything, the minutes and everything changes, so it’s hard for me to adjust,” Hachimura added. “But it’s the same for everybody. I just gotta get used to it. I gotta be ready always and make an impact in the game.”
Los Angeles head coach Darvin Ham spoke about the elements of Hachimura's game he appreciated.
“I just think when he’s able to play aggressive and get to the rim, get to the free-throw line, the physical style,” Ham said. “Everybody’s encouraging him to let it all hang out and he’s trying to do that. Different physical matchups, he feels those hits. He feels like he gets the whistle blown on him sometimes unfairly, and that tends to wake him up and he tends to play a lot more physical. So we thought he was excellent off the bench.”
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