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Kblo247!
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Joined: 05 Oct 2015
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 Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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Out worked AD out there and was in his jersey to the point the espn broadcast pointed out he was everywhere and being very physical.
Even in the okc game on Sunday, he clearly bothered Chet and Hartenstein and handle all the SGA switches well. He’s become much better under JJ |
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hype
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Joined: 19 Nov 2007
Posts: 4839
Location: Lake Nacimiento
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| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 7:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Kblo247! wrote: | Out worked AD out there and was in his jersey to the point the espn broadcast pointed out he was everywhere and being very physical.
Even in the okc game on Sunday, he clearly bothered Chet and Hartenstein and handle all the SGA switches well. He’s become much better under JJ |
Yup, he's been giving me Lamar Odom vibes this Season when Lamar finally flipped that switch and stopped loafing or having stretches you almost forgot he was on the floor many times during those few Championships he got with us. It seems like Rui is just so much more engaged on both ends consistently now as he always showed brilliant flashes/games. Everyone talks about Austin continuing to improve and rightfully so but Rui's improvement is right up there as well. We still win that second OKC game if he was playing imo. When bigs are featured from the opposing teams his importance could very well surpass AR at times.
He seems to be getting much closer to that pre-injury version in his last two games. Things are really shaping up nicely heading into the Playoffs! |
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Kblo247!
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Joined: 05 Oct 2015
Posts: 6011
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| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 7:20 pm Post subject: |
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| hype wrote: | | Kblo247! wrote: | Out worked AD out there and was in his jersey to the point the espn broadcast pointed out he was everywhere and being very physical.
Even in the okc game on Sunday, he clearly bothered Chet and Hartenstein and handle all the SGA switches well. He’s become much better under JJ |
Yup, he's been giving me Lamar Odom vibes this Season when Lamar finally flipped that switch and stopped loafing or having stretches you almost forgot he was on the floor many times during those few Championships he got with us. It seems like Rui is just so much more engaged on both ends consistently now as he always showed brilliant flashes/games. Everyone talks about Austin continuing to improve and rightfully so but Rui's improvement is right up there as well. We still win that second OKC game if he was playing imo. When bigs are featured from the opposing teams his importance could very well surpass AR at times.
He seems to be getting much closer to that pre-injury version in his last two games. Things are really shaping up nicely heading into the Playoffs! |
I have to give JJ credit for living through the Reaves and Rui mistakes early as they were full time starters and trying to learn how to be point guard and backup big. They’ve become so much better under JJ and also gotten better at doing every little thing for him. Even today in the Luka game, Reaves didn’t force shots, instead he played hard and swarmed AD and did all the right things to make sure it was Luka’s game. |
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fansincemagic
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Joined: 23 Jun 2005
Posts: 11750
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| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 7:22 pm Post subject: |
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| hype wrote: | | Kblo247! wrote: | Out worked AD out there and was in his jersey to the point the espn broadcast pointed out he was everywhere and being very physical.
Even in the okc game on Sunday, he clearly bothered Chet and Hartenstein and handle all the SGA switches well. He’s become much better under JJ |
Yup, he's been giving me Lamar Odom vibes this Season when Lamar finally flipped that switch and stopped loafing or having stretches you almost forgot he was on the floor many times during those few Championships he got with us. It seems like Rui is just so much more engaged on both ends consistently now as he always showed brilliant flashes/games. Everyone talks about Austin continuing to improve and rightfully so but Rui's improvement is right up there as well. We still win that second OKC game if he was playing imo. When bigs are featured from the opposing teams his importance could very well surpass AR at times.
He seems to be getting much closer to that pre-injury version in his last two games. Things are really shaping up nicely heading into the Playoffs! |
Yeah, if he can continue to hold his own vs 3s and 5s I'm not sure how you don't resign him long term vs a 2026 plan. You'd really have to be confident in Joker. Luka needs AR and Rui for the future. |
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Runway8
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Joined: 19 Apr 2003
Posts: 24687
Location: La Jolla, San Diego
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| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 10:04 pm Post subject: |
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He makes our offense, and defense as well, so much more complete. We are a different team with a healthy Rui.
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Lakeshow23_
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Joined: 02 May 2021
Posts: 1428
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| Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2025 2:45 am Post subject: |
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| Rui had a great regular season. He's going to be huge for us in the playoffs. |
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wolfpaclaker
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Joined: 29 May 2002
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| Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2025 2:58 am Post subject: |
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I do agree he's our Lamar Odom/Dray Green. Or needs to be, in order to win. There's no other way this would work unless both Rui and LBJ play on that level defensively, and are that active with getting boards.
Back to yesterday's game, while Rui (and Vandy) both did solid jobs on AD, we were helping throughout the game. We often sent a double the moment AD had the ball inside the 3 point line. This seems to work if the other team's perimeter play is weak.
The sort of players/teams you don't want to try that with is Denver. I know we had a big in Denver with this exact same strategy, but I don't think it's ever a wise move to help on Joker. I also think with David Adleman realizes what Malone didn't with regards to WB (have to limit his minutes ONLY to those 2nd unit stretches) then they can really be a threat again. They looked a lot better when they were able to space the floor.
OKC if Chet and Hartenstein play the way they they did in the April 8 game, we'll have some issues with rebounds and physicality in the paint.
So hopefully what we see is BOTH Rui and LBJ play on a defensive/rebounding level that mimics what we've seen from LO/Dray in the past. |
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Nobody
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Joined: 13 Sep 2008
Posts: 6256
Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia
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| Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2025 3:55 am Post subject: |
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I'm extremely impressed with the strides he's made on the defensive end. We were all hoping for him to use his incredible tools and become a plus defender.
Last edited by Nobody on Thu Apr 10, 2025 7:47 am; edited 1 time in total |
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RI Laker
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Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 7934
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| Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2025 6:02 am Post subject: |
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| Some smart fans here recognizing his contributions. I always thought he was under appreciated. Its amazing that he is still improving. |
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governator
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| Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2025 8:26 am Post subject: |
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Rui vs Gordon… is our boy the better now?
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tox
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Joined: 16 Nov 2015
Posts: 20927
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| Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2025 9:06 am Post subject: |
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| Nobody wrote: | | I'm extremely impressed with the strides he's made on the defensive end. We were all hoping for him to use his incredible tools and become a plus defender. |
Same |
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tox
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Joined: 16 Nov 2015
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| Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2025 9:07 am Post subject: |
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| I think credit also goes to JJ, Rui is a tweener but he's being used in a way that makes the most of his strength, straight line speed, etc without exposing his limitations the way Ham did |
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Theseus
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| Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2025 9:17 am Post subject: |
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He's shown a lot, and I really liked Doris Burke highlighting his improved defense. He's got a knee injury and he's still playing active and physical defense.
I think a big part of his development is he is getting coached AND believed in by his coach, and all of his teammates. You could even say he's being coached by guys like Lebron who are telling him when he's doing something wrong.
Before you could see him confused on the court, but trying to find the answers. This is the sign of a guy who needed better coaching. Sure he was confused, but he wanted to be better and do better. You see he is playing defense more intelligently out there. He isn't getting lost he isn't looking to the bench to figure out what he was supposed to do there.
Really impressed by what we've seen from him. His shot has remained consistently good, and that is something we aren't too used to seeing here. He just turned 27 in February, and we have him under contract for one more season. He's been a great addition |
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lilmomo
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| Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2025 10:39 am Post subject: |
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| governator wrote: | | Rui vs Gordon… is our boy the better now? |
I will say this, I won't trade him for Gordon and I doubt nuggets fans will trade Gordon for Rui. Some players are just a natural fit on a team. Case in point Draymond on the warriors. Personally I don't care if Gordon is rated higher than Rui by coaches or players. He fit what we need |
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levon
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Joined: 11 Oct 2016
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| Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2025 10:57 am Post subject: |
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| Idk, I need to see him in the playoffs. |
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giordan0
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Joined: 05 Jan 2016
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| Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2025 10:59 am Post subject: |
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He's become our key glue guy, has blossomed under JJ.
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tox
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| Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2025 11:54 am Post subject: |
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| levon wrote: | | Idk, I need to see him in the playoffs. |
I could also see myself going full 180 if he had a performance like last year
but I trust JJ to put him in a position where, at least defensively, Rui has consistent value. Even if his offense isn't falling, but I also think "satellite players" like Rui will be more playoffs resilient this year compared to last due to Luka's consistent gravity |
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Lakesh0wtime
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Joined: 28 Mar 2016
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| Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2025 10:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Good thing JJ didn’t listen to LGers who wanted to bench this guy. |
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mhan00
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| Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2025 10:24 pm Post subject: |
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| governator wrote: | | Rui vs Gordon… is our boy the better now? |
Sad to say, Gordon is better. His shot looks legit now, and he’s a better defender. Not that Rui doesn’t try, but Gordon just understands what to do on defense and going after boards better. Rui is still great, though. |
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Runway8
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Joined: 19 Apr 2003
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Location: La Jolla, San Diego
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| Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2025 10:36 pm Post subject: |
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| mhan00 wrote: | | governator wrote: | | Rui vs Gordon… is our boy the better now? |
Sad to say, Gordon is better. His shot looks legit now, and he’s a better defender. Not that Rui doesn’t try, but Gordon just understands what to do on defense and going after boards better. Rui is still great, though. |
Rui has shot over 40% from three for two seasons now, and is 38% career. Aaron Gordon is inexplicably out of this world at 44% in year 11, when all previous years have been below average, and his career is 33%. Reminds me of DFS's unsustainable 43.5% from threes in Brooklyn this year. Rui has hit 101 threes, Gordon has hit 72. So Rui seems to be the truer shooter between the two. Even DFS has more threes than Gordon at 123. Lastly, Gordon's contract bumps to around $32 mil next year, and increases even more year by year.
Rui hands down is the better deal. Switch places and AG cripples you financially. Part of the reason Booth has been let go, they are not in good financial position.
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Kblo247!
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Joined: 05 Oct 2015
Posts: 6011
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2025 2:37 am Post subject: |
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| Runway8 wrote: | | mhan00 wrote: | | governator wrote: | | Rui vs Gordon… is our boy the better now? |
Sad to say, Gordon is better. His shot looks legit now, and he’s a better defender. Not that Rui doesn’t try, but Gordon just understands what to do on defense and going after boards better. Rui is still great, though. |
Rui has shot over 40% from three for two seasons now, and is 38% career. Aaron Gordon is inexplicably out of this world at 44% in year 11, when all previous years have been below average, and his career is 33%. Reminds me of DFS's unsustainable 43.5% from threes in Brooklyn this year. Rui has hit 101 threes, Gordon has hit 72. So Rui seems to be the truer shooter between the two. Even DFS has more threes than Gordon at 123. Lastly, Gordon's contract bumps to around $32 mil next year, and increases even more year by year.
Rui hands down is the better deal. Switch places and AG cripples you financially. Part of the reason Booth has been let go, they are not in good financial position. |
Honestly Gordon would be a good get for us. Not for Rui, but as a small ball center next to Bron and Rui. As the lob threat. He’s someone worth Vando, Dalton, Kleiber, and the picks. If they decided to rest the roster around Joker then he would actually fit the need and replace Hayes well. People rave about Turner but Gordon as the defensive chops, athletic ability, championship experience and all to fit like a glove too. JJJ also fits too if Memphis wants a fire sale and we refuse to move Reaves or Rui (they shouldn’t be moved imo) |
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VA LSU fan
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Joined: 07 Jul 2019
Posts: 41
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2025 4:55 am Post subject: |
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I really feel the two players on the team that need to stay through the Luka years are Rui and AR.
They are just entering their prime and due to development are taking great strides under JJ, where growth was stunted with Hamm.
Once James retires, I could see Luka averaging 30, AR averaging 22, and Rui averaging 18.
My one criticism of Rui is rebounding. He should be closer to 7 or 8, nor 5. |
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danzag
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Joined: 28 Apr 2013
Posts: 23124
Location: Brazil
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2025 10:40 am Post subject: |
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2nd straight season shooting 40% from 3
If not for his FTs, he could've been in the 50/40/90 club |
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gng930
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Joined: 13 Apr 2001
Posts: 12267
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2025 11:54 am Post subject: |
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| tox wrote: | | I think credit also goes to JJ, Rui is a tweener but he's being used in a way that makes the most of his strength, straight line speed, etc without exposing his limitations the way Ham did |
I've said before, JJ really empowered him. Many (including myself) had already written off that Rui would eventually get benched in favor of DFS. JJ really believed in him.
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bluehill
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2025 5:19 pm Post subject: |
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Nice piece about Rui by Darius Soriano.
How Rui Hachimura has become more than a role player for the Lakers
| Quote: | Seven months ago if you would have told me that Rui Hachimura would not just end up being a critical fixture for the Lakers defense but that it would be his versatility and ability to switch onto guards and wings on the perimeter or shadow big men in the post with equal aplomb, I’d have laughed at you.
Rui, I’d have argued, was actually one of the Lakers defenders with the narrowest path to defensive success.
The way I saw it, Rui, much like Goldilocks from our childhood nursery stories, needed the defensive matchup that was juuuuust right: not too fast, not too much range, not too much size, not too much strength.
He was best on perimeter power forwards who could shoot but weren’t great drivers, who could drive but weren’t good shooters, players who wouldn’t move too much off the ball and were fairly easy to track.
Rui wasn’t a bad defender, per se, but he was a limited one whose engagement level and technique were both reflective of someone who’s been told his entire career that he needed to be good on offense to stick in this league.
This season, however, Rui has unlocked a new level of defensive success, mostly built on the idea that by leveraging his physical tools and giving him a straightforward job with a clear directive that he could be a net positive on that end of the floor.
Which is exactly what has happened. |
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