Los Angeles Lakers legend James Worthy recently shared his thoughts on the team’s rising star, Rui Hachimura, highlighting his growth and impactful presence on the court.
During an appearance on Spectrum SportsNet, Worthy expressed his admiration for Hachimura’s development and contribution to the Lakers’ core lineup.
“Well, you know I’m a huge Austin Reaves fan, but that’s behind me now – he’s the man,” Worthy said when asked who is his favorite player of the Lakers’ core.
Worthy, known for his own illustrious Lakers career, spoke highly of Hachimura’s versatile skill set and consistent performance. “Rui to me I’m not going to say he’s the most improved player, but he improved where he was a threat. Impact player. He made a difference at a lot of possessions,” Worthy stated.
He commended Hachimura’s ability to contribute in various aspects of the game, from shooting three-pointers to posting up, defending, and even taking on larger opponents in the center position.
Hachimura’s journey with the Lakers has been marked by noteworthy achievements. Traded to the team on January 23, 2023, Hachimura quickly established himself as a valuable asset.
In Game 1 of the first-round series against the Grizzlies, he tied the Lakers’ playoff record for the most points (29) off the bench, held by Mychal Thompson.
Throughout the regular season, Hachimura averaged 9.6 points and 4.7 rebounds in 22.4 minutes per game, while his impact heightened during the playoffs, with averages of 12.8 points and 3.6 rebounds in 24.3 minutes per game.
With his recent re-signing on a 3-year, $51 million contract, Hachimura’s future with the Lakers looks promising. Worthy’s acknowledgment of Hachimura’s growth underscores his emergence as a cornerstone of the Lakers’ future success, earning praise from one Lakers legend to another.
