Another season awaits the LA Lakers and former NBA player Patrick Beverley has some advice for one of their players.
The two-way point guard sees forward Rui Hachimura as the “X-factor” of the team next season. Beverley pointed out that Hachimura should step up given that he re-signed with the team on a three-year, $51 million contract in September 2023.
The Japanese star is the fifth-highest-paid player on the team and Beverley has high expectations. Last season, the forward averaged 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists.
In a clip from his podcast, the “Pat Bev Pod,” Beverley talked about why he thinks the former Washington Wizards forward should take on a bigger role.
“Rui. He a good basketball player. But I don’t–he’s not the x-factor to me,” Beverley said. “Actually, you know what, he should be the x-factor because he gets paid as the x-factor should be. So yeah, f**k it, we gon’ put him x-factor.
“He needs to do more. He has to come in like, ‘I’m the second option.’ His mindset has to be, ‘It’s AD here, it’s LeBron here, it’s Austin Reaves here, it’s DLo here but nah. AD gettin it, i’m the second option.’
If Rui gets that confidence to play through the misses it can transform his game pic.twitter.com/OcX9XWtnpI
— Pat Bev Pod (@PatBevPod) September 23, 2024
Beverley compared Hachimura to Kyle Kuzma, their starting forward during the 2020 title run.
“What made them successful that Bubble Year, Kyle Kuzma. A wing with size that can put the ball on the floor, and people used to clown Kuzma because he used to take some tough shots but you need some balls like that. Because the same shot you take in the regular season that look tought is the same shot you go take at the end of the game.”
Lakers head coach wants to maximize Rui Hachimura’s potential
JJ Redick was introduced to the public as the team’s new head coach in June. During his introductory presser, he talked about his plans with the players on the team. One of the players that he highlighted was Hachimura.
He shared his plans of having the forward as a cutter for the team. Coach Redick also talked highly about Hachimura’s rebounding, which he’s been highly impressed with.
The new head coach plans to use the forward’s size and agility to maximum effect. Fans might see the former Gonzaga Bulldogs forward take his game to the next level soon.
