An X-factor heading into the second round for the Los Angeles Lakers will be Rui Hachimura. His ability to consistently hit 3-pointers and operate in the mid-range have become valuable tools for L.A.
With the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder looming, Los Angeles needs to have even more offensive production against a stout defense. Hachimura can hopefully provide that and Chet Holmgren knows what the Lakers forward brings to the table, giving his fellow Gonzaga alum an incredible nickname.
“Something about those Gonzaga guys. He’s a talented guy. He plays a little bit like Japanese Jordan sometimes when you see the turnaround and stuff,” Holmgren told Michael Martin of Let’s Talk Thunder. “Alright, I’m going way too far right now. Nah, he can really make shots, make shots in bunches if you let him. So, you can let him get hot, give him any easy ones. Again, just like anybody else, you got to make everything challenging and try to make him uncomfortable.”
Obviously, Oklahoma City’s focus remains on slowing down LeBron James and Austin Reaves. Their perimeter defenders are extremely physical, along with Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein clogging the paint, so the Lakers may have to rely on jump shooting.
After struggling to space the floor against the Houston Rockets, L.A. will need to return to normalcy with its 3-point shooting. Hachimura can hopefully provide a spark in that regard as he is shooting an absurd 58.6% from downtown this postseason.
Who matches up with the Lakers forward remains to be seen; perhaps Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gets placed on him. If a guard ends up on Hachimura, he needs to be decisive with his shots, either he immediately takes a jumper or a dribble pull-up into the mid-range.
Los Angeles needs to be decisive and not overthink their decisions. A player like Hachimura cannot afford to get rattled or discouraged when the Thunder are playing physical defense. If L.A. matches their aggressiveness, these games can be more competitive than anticipated.
Rui Hachimura: Lakers approached Game 6 Vs. Rockets as their Game 7
After Game 5, the Rockets had the Lakers on their heels after winning two in a row heading back to Houston. Trying to close out a series on the road is tough and it felt like momentum was on their side.
Hachimura revealed that the team approached Game 6 as their Game 7, which ended up paying off as they got a 20-point win.
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