Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Featured > Lakers News: Anthony Davis Credits Rui Hachimura ‘Taking On The Challenge’ Defensively
FeaturedLakers News

Lakers News: Anthony Davis Credits Rui Hachimura ‘Taking On The Challenge’ Defensively

Matthew Valento
Published: 02/11/2024
3 Min Read
Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, Zion Williamson, Lakers, Pelicans
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

Rui Hachimura has had an odd first full season with the Los Angeles Lakers, mostly due to an ever-evolving role. His uncertain role resulted in some up and down play, but it is hard to gauge where he fits.

Head coach Darvin Ham relegated Hachimura to a bench role, then to a starting role, back to the bench, etc. The 26-year-old faced a lot of adjustment and change this season but with Jarred Vanderbilt and Cam Reddish currently sidelined, Hachimura once again is a starter.

The former Gonzaga Bulldog followed up his two-point performance on Thursday with 21 points on Friday in the win against the New Orleans Pelicans. However, teammate Anthony Davis credits Hachimura for taking the challenge defensively after matching up with Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson.

“Yeah, he’s taking on the challenge,” Davis said of Hachimura. “We put a lot of pressure on Rui to guard. Tonight he had Zion and BI, two scorers. Like you said, it’s a team defense, it’s not just on one guy, we don’t leave one guy on an island. But we’ve had matchups all year where we put him on the opposing team’s best wing player and he’s been good. He’s definitely improved. He’s more than capable of playing defense and giving us what he gave tonight on the offensive end. Anytime we have an assignment that we feel he can guard, we’ll put it on him and make sure that we help him on the backside.”

With defensive personnel lacking due to injuries, Hachimura is stepping into the challenge of guarding some of the best wings and bigs in the league. Due to his frame, he has the capability to stay with these scoring threats, and it is good to see that he is embracing that challenge.

During last season’s postseason run, Hachimura matched up with two-time MVP Nikola Jokic in the Western Conference Finals and held his own. Davis is not asking of him to fill that Vanderbilt role, but simply take pride in whoever he is guarding helps and Hachimura is doing so since re-entering the starting lineup.

Rui Hachimura credits Phil Handy for encouraging him to ‘just shoot’

Coming off an impressive shooting postseason with the Lakers, Hachimura came into this season looking to build off that. During the summer, he worked out plenty with LeBron James and assistant coach Phil Handy, improving on his game. His shooting numbers have been a bit up and down, but Hachimura credits Handy for encouraging him to ‘just shoot.’

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Anthony DavisLos Angeles LakersRui Hachimura
ByMatthew Valento
Follow:
Matthew Valento graduated from Boise State University with a major in integrated media and strategic communications and a minor in journalism. He grew up in Santa Clarita, California and played basketball at Saugus High School. Along with writing for LakersNation.com, Matthew also hosts a basketball podcast called, "The Basketball Maestros." Contact: MattV@MediumLargeLA.com Twitter: @matthewvalento Instagram: matthew.valento
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?