Rui Hachimura

[smoothSeph]

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Another day another example of the worst defensive player in the league struggling vs extremely subpar offensive talent.

Don't mind me I'll just be re watching 1:32 for the next half an hour.

[Ruzious]

As is often the case with Rui haters they are silent...

I don't think Rui had haters so much as skeptics. Maybe doubters. He is easy to like. We have players on this team that were hateable, but Rui isn't one. IF anything the argument comes between his loudest cheerleaders and fans who say: "yeah but..." and point out areas to improve. He's a 2nd year player, with little history in the game, and some areas where he is deficient, with the caveat that he starts out an older rookie than most, but found the game later in his development.

One concern was his ability to swiftly pick up team defensive concepts. Late last season I think he showed that if you give him a single player to guard he has the length and athleticism and focus to shut down that match up. One adjustment that seems to have been made is that coaches taken advantage of this skill and directed him against whomever is the high-usage player on that team. Let everyone else figure out how to adjust in a team scheme behind him. In this respect his rebounding numbers are going to suffer, he is better against face-up players than against bigs in the low post on defense, and if he is 30 feet from the basket defending Dame then yeah he will not be in position to scoop rebounds. part of it has been emphasis as well, in the offseason he was not drilling with a low-post tutor though, he was facing off against hyper talented ballhandlers at Big Guard university. Defending guards is something has seen before. Facing dribble drive players in one-on-one match-ups is well within his skill set. The rest can come later as he experiences it more.

That is the thing to like about Rui. He seems like an avid student. If he sees it he can learn it. His learning curve will be steeper than others since his exposure to the game was late and he had little high level competition. He had no role models for defense or low post play. He learned at first by watching videos of Carmelo in FIBA play. There's no defense in that model.

As he develops he will turn doubters into advocates. Fans even.

as to your EDIT. I'd agree right now he is best on the perimeter. HOWEVER I would not give up on him in the low post. I think if he is taught some basic footwork and rebounding tricks and tips he will develop quickly there too. He just needs an example to model. A go to move. Understanding of basic principles of weak-side adjustments vs ball-side shifts. You saw how happy and proud of himself he was when he took a charge, the other game. We will see how he does against a powerhouse like LeBJ.

I'm one who doubted him, and I love seeing him exceed my expectations. But one thing that impressed me about Rui at Gonzaga that I still think he doesn't get credit for is his ability to drive aggressively to the basket. I see people in the game threads calling him soft, and that's really not the case. Yeah, he had a period of adjustment at one point because he was getting his shots blocked, but now he's found ways to avoid that by going hard - sometimes drawing fouls by going up with 2 handed dunk attempts, sometimes using his body as a shield on 1 handed dunks.

Gotta give credit to Brooks and Westbrook (as Rui's done) for his defensive improvements and hope they continue. And then will come lessons is passing the basketball.

As far as rooting for a player, I think everyone loves the guy. What a great kid with a great disposition. What other player would make fun of himself after drawing his first offensive foul - and it was on his birthday. Seems to have no ego which is so unusual in the NBA - perhaps others see it as a sign of weakness.

[Kanyewest]

A very efficient game from Rui overall. Above average defense from in this one especially on LeBron. 15 points on 8 shots. He hit a huge 3 down the stretch in the 4th quarter (although he's only shooting slightly under 30% for the season). Also Rui had a nice and 1 on Harrell which caused Harrell to get benched for the rest of the game because it was a pretty dumb foul to pick up his 5th.

I would still like him to get better on the boards - but can't complain too much when Westbrook and others fill the rebounding void - as the Wizards outrebound the Lakers.

[JWizmentality]

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Another day another example of the worst defensive player in the league struggling vs extremely subpar offensive talent.

Don't mind me I'll just be re watching 1:32 for the next half an hour.

But Brandon Clarke tho....

[DCZards]

We got a glimpse of Rui's ability to guard players on the perimeter last season when he did an excellent job against Giannis in a late season game at the Cap One Arena.

Rui is no Kawhi...but it is interesting that Rui--with his length, quickness and baby claw hands--is displaying some of the strengths on D that helps to make Leonard special.

[JWizmentality]

We got a glimpse of Rui's ability to guard players on the perimeter last season when he did an excellent job against Giannis in a late season game at the Cap One Arena.

Rui is no Kawhi...but it is interesting that Rui--with his length, quickness and baby claw hands--is displaying some of the strengths on D that helps to make Leonard special.

And again I'll keep beating this drum, he hasn't played a full NBA season yet! Pretty good no? Some people need to take their crow with the ole bay seasoning.

[prime1time]

Rui's biggest challenge is between the ears. In terms of seeing, recognizing and acting it just doesn't happen quick for him. It was a knock for him coming out of college and it is something that he still struggles with. But it is improving. As he continues to improve, Rui either needs to take charges or contest shots at the rim. At 6'8 with a 7'2 wingspan, at the very least Rui should be able to go up straight vertically. All in all I'm pleased with Rui. When he plays for Japan, he's a scorer. When he was at Gonzaga, he was a scorer. Now with Brad and Russ, he's able to develop other parts of his game. If he can become an above average rebounder and defender, it will really benefit the team. I want to see him get more physical and play with a mean streak like a Morris brother or Harrell.

The more he focuses on defense, the better he'll get. There are still so many things he can improve upon. But going forward, Rui projects as our primary wing defender. His length and strength will allow him to guard the LBJ's and Kawhi's of the world as well as can be hoped for. Already this season we've seen Rui fair well guarding KD and LBJ. This is not an accident. He has the requisite phyiscal tools.

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=zhugelianges

I think the main challenge for Rui was reframing how he saw himself. From a scorer to a defender/all-around player. Now that he accepts this new role and he can clearly see the impact that his good play has on winning, I expect to continue to see major improvements defensively. This is a wonderful development.

[NatP4]

He’s either a SF that isn’t a perimeter threat, limiting his efficiency potential, or a PF that doesn’t rebound or protect the rim.

I think he should put all his focus into taking and making more 3s. Make him watch offensive footage of Kawhi for 8 hours a day. It’s far easier to develop into a perimeter threat than to all of the sudden have team defense/rim protection/rebounding instincts. Be more of a Marcus Morris than a Markieff Morris.

We have a good setup moving forward. Deni&Rui are interchangeable at the 3/4, allows us to switch everything. Deni will make up for Rui’s lack of rebounding. Rui can be matched up with the isolation scoring wings and Deni can be more of the off ball help defender with his basketball IQ. It worked well last night.

[pcbothwel]

Nat... You are overthinking his role, or just being pessimistic.
Rui will never be a great rebounder. Kawhi, Brandon Clarke, DeAndre Hunter, Covington. All 6'8 wings that rebound the same. I really dont see this as an issue so long as he does other things. Im over the rebounding numbers.

Rui isnt a sharp shooting 3 point shooter, at least not yet. Lastly, Rui doesnt appear to have the vision or instincts to be a great passer or team defender. Done.
So what is he? I've said it before and my projection hasnt changed. He profiles as an offensive weapon that can lockdown 3-4 positions on the perimeter in man defense.
He's got a TS of 56% (63% during the 5 game win streak) because he cans score from anywhere on the court and draw fouls.
His early prime 23-25 looks like he'll be a 48/33/80 scorer with a 2:1 AST:TOV ratio.

That seems like an easy bet. But I wouldnt be shocked if makes a big jump next year similar to Hunter and becomes a 20/7 player on a TS of 60%.

[NatP4]

The 60% TS is an easy jump to envision for Rui. I’m not sure about the overall defensive impact though. The other 4 players you mention are all impactful defensive players.

Don’t take this too literally (I haven’t looked up the exact numbers) but isn’t that what separates a player from being a Marcus Morris/Jeff Green/Taurean Prince, instead of a Deandre Hunter type?

[prime1time]

Why is anyone holding up Deandre Hunter as a "type". We have no idea what Hunter will become. So it defeats the purpose of referencing him. We just have to wait and see what Rui will become. The best thing that can be said about him is that he's improving.

[TGW]

We got a glimpse of Rui's ability to guard players on the perimeter last season when he did an excellent job against Giannis in a late season game at the Cap One Arena.

Rui is no Kawhi...but it is interesting that Rui--with his length, quickness and baby claw hands--is displaying some of the strengths on D that helps to make Leonard special.

And again I'll keep beating this drum, he hasn't played a full NBA season yet! Pretty good no? Some people need to take their crow with the ole bay seasoning.

Uh no. Rui’s got a lot of work to do to become a good player. Right now, he’s barely above replacement level. He hasn’t been awful but hes definitely not making anyone eat crow. Get real.

[prime1time]

We got a glimpse of Rui's ability to guard players on the perimeter last season when he did an excellent job against Giannis in a late season game at the Cap One Arena.

Rui is no Kawhi...but it is interesting that Rui--with his length, quickness and baby claw hands--is displaying some of the strengths on D that helps to make Leonard special.

And again I'll keep beating this drum, he hasn't played a full NBA season yet! Pretty good no? Some people need to take their crow with the ole bay seasoning.

Uh no. Rui’s got a lot of work to do to become a good player. Right now, he’s barely above replacement level. He hasn’t been awful but hes definitely not making anyone eat crow. Get real.

I'm so tired of this sentiment. Rui has done more than enough already to justify drafting him. And the only reason people on this thread insist on not giving him his due is because they keep on changing the goal post. How many players each draft end up being good players? And for the ones that do, how many do it in a year and a half? What the Hachimura detractors have done is create a standard that is almost impossible for Hachimura to reach at this point in his career. He's a second year player who shows good potential. Funny how for many people on this board that's a negative statement. The vast majority of drafted NBA players never become good players. The fact that we are a year and a half in and Rui still has a realistic path to become a good player justifies the draft pick.

[payitforward]

Sigh...

Last year, Rui scored 16.2 points per 36 minutes. This year it's 15.8 -- not a big drop, obviously, but not exactly a good thing. Mentioning this proves that I am a Rui-hater.

Last year, Rui's efg% was .489. This year it's .509 -- which is a 4% improvement. Not a big jump but still a good thing. Mentioning this also proves that I am a Rui-hater. Somehow....

Last year, Rui got 7.3 rebounds per 36 minutes. This year it's 6.8 -- not a big drop but definitely not good for a guy who wasn't a good rebounder to begin with. Mentioning this proves that I am a Rui-hater.

The rest of the stuff is, overall, unchanged. Mentioning this proves that I am a Rui-hater.

Conclusion: Rui has improved a little overall, b/c his numbers have improved a little overall. Mentioning this proves -- 100%! -- that I am a Rui-hater. After all... why would I mention it otherwise?

Two weeks ago, pcbothwei was scoffing at the comparison between Rui & Kyle Kuzma. His view was that Rui's 3-point % being up to .371 was a clear sign of good things. OTOH, Kuzma having the same 3 pt. % on twice the attempts was a fluke & would not last.

The fact that I pointed to the two players' numbers proved that I am a Rui-hater. After all... otherwise why would I compare Rui to another player?

Since then, Rui's 3-pt. % has come down to .321. Kuzma is at .363, still on twice the attempts. Mentioning this proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that I am a "Rui-hater."

After all, only a Rui-hater mentions the fact that Rui hasn't improved much when he hasn't improved much.

[payitforward]

And again I'll keep beating this drum, he hasn't played a full NBA season yet! Pretty good no? Some people need to take their crow with the ole bay seasoning.

Uh no. Rui’s got a lot of work to do to become a good player. Right now, he’s barely above replacement level. He hasn’t been awful but hes definitely not making anyone eat crow. Get real.

I'm so tired of this sentiment. Rui has done more than enough already to justify drafting him. ... The fact that we are a year and a half in and Rui still has a realistic path to become a good player justifies the draft pick.

I like Rui. He's obviously a great kid, & it is true that he may yet "become a good player" -- i.e. let's say, a solid journeyman or better.

If you think that's good after 2100 minutes, then Rui is "good" by your definition. He's one hell of a lot better than Cam Reddish so far! Of course, Reddish is a year and a half younger than Rui -- which doesn't mean he'll improve.

& Rui's also been better than Barrett, Garland, Culver, White -- all of whom went before him in the draft.

Rui's also better so far than PJ Washington -- & a whole lot better than Sekou Doumbouya, whom a lot of folks here wanted us to draft! & Samanic, Bitadze & some other guys who were picked after him.

Has he been as good as Tyler Herro, who went #13? You tell me. & if he hasn't been as good as Herro, does that mean it would have been better to pick Herro? Or is that something only a Rui-hater would say?

OTOH, he hasn't been as good as Thybulle, or Mr. Unnameable, or Keldon Johnson.

In fact, since we certainly aren't going to talk about Mr. Unnameable, let's do glance at Keldon Johnson: he's playing 30 minutes a game for the Spurs, & he is playing extremely well!

In fact, he's playing a ton better than Rui Hachimura! Unbelievably better -- a 1000 times better! Barring injury, he looks like he might be a star in this league -- tho of course it's a little early to know something like that for sure.

& anyway, I'm not going to mention Keldon Johnson -- in fact, from now on he & Mr. Unnameable will be referred to as "The Unnameable Twins" -- because talking about other players drafted in 2019 is being a "Rui-hater."

[FAH1223]

Classic

At :34

"Rui, you black today?"

Watch on YouTube

[prime1time]

Uh no. Rui’s got a lot of work to do to become a good player. Right now, he’s barely above replacement level. He hasn’t been awful but hes definitely not making anyone eat crow. Get real.

I'm so tired of this sentiment. Rui has done more than enough already to justify drafting him. ... The fact that we are a year and a half in and Rui still has a realistic path to become a good player justifies the draft pick.

I like Rui. He's obviously a great kid, & it is true that he may yet "become a good player" -- i.e. let's say, a solid journeyman or better.

If you think that's good after 2100 minutes, then Rui is "good" by your definition. He's one hell of a lot better than Cam Reddish so far! Of course, Reddish is a year and a half younger than Rui -- which doesn't mean he'll improve.

& Rui's also been better than Barrett, Garland, Culver, White -- all of whom went before him in the draft.

Rui's also better so far than PJ Washington -- & a whole lot better than Sekou Doumbouya, whom a lot of folks here wanted us to draft! & Samanic, Bitadze & some other guys who were picked after him.

Has he been as good as Tyler Herro, who went #13? You tell me. & if he hasn't been as good as Herro, does that mean it would have been better to pick Herro? Or is that something only a Rui-hater would say?

OTOH, he hasn't been as good as Thybulle, or Mr. Unnameable, or Keldon Johnson.

In fact, since we certainly aren't going to talk about Mr. Unnameable, let's do glance at Keldon Johnson: he's playing 30 minutes a game for the Spurs, & he is playing extremely well!

In fact, he's playing a ton better than Rui Hachimura! Unbelievably better -- a 1000 times better! Barring injury, he looks like he might be a star in this league -- tho of course it's a little early to know something like that for sure.

& anyway, I'm not going to mention Keldon Johnson -- in fact, from now on he & Mr. Unnameable will be referred to as "The Unnameable Twins" -- because talking about other players drafted in 2019 is being a "Rui-hater."

It's tough to converse with you because I don't accept how you evaluate players. To put it another way, I evaluate players differently. Regardless, I have been very consistent. Rui has done more than enough to justify his spot. Other people are way higher on Herro than I am. And yet, Rui still has a higher per than Herro. But the more important takeaway is that young players take time. I'm not here to put down any player. All I'm saying is that enough is enough with putting down young players that simply need time to develop. Julius Randle is now an all-star. If we drafted him, people would have written him off before the end of his second year. Last year he shot 27% from 3. This year he's an all-star and he's only 26.

We judge young players way too harshly. We arbitrarily set high standards that we know they aren't likely to reach. And then clamor to move on from them before they get a real opportunity. Rui is a solid young player who has the potential to become a good player. Why is that such a negative on this board?

[TGW]

And again I'll keep beating this drum, he hasn't played a full NBA season yet! Pretty good no? Some people need to take their crow with the ole bay seasoning.

Uh no. Rui’s got a lot of work to do to become a good player. Right now, he’s barely above replacement level. He hasn’t been awful but hes definitely not making anyone eat crow. Get real.

I'm so tired of this sentiment. Rui has done more than enough already to justify drafting him. And the only reason people on this thread insist on not giving him his due is because they keep on changing the goal post. How many players each draft end up being good players? And for the ones that do, how many do it in a year and a half? What the Hachimura detractors have done is create a standard that is almost impossible for Hachimura to reach at this point in his career. He's a second year player who shows good potential. Funny how for many people on this board that's a negative statement. The vast majority of drafted NBA players never become good players. The fact that we are a year and a half in and Rui still has a realistic path to become a good player justifies the draft pick.

You're in love with everyone on this team. Only problem is that all these awesome players have accumulated a 11-18 record. Maybe that's a sign that you need to re-evaluate how you evaluate players.

btw, I don't hate Hachimura. He has some talent, but to claim that he's a good player right now is delusional.

[TGW]

Oh and I made a mistake in saying Rui's was barely above replacement level. I was wrong. He's actually well below replacement level. His BPM is -2.8, and according to basketball reference, "Below -2.0 are many end-of-bench players".

[smoothSeph]

Oh and I made a mistake in saying Rui's was barely above replacement level. I was wrong. He's actually well below replacement level. His BPM is -2.8, and according to basketball reference, "Below -2.0 are many end-of-bench players".

All these numbers y’all post are for casuals to follow. Ask Russ or Beal if Rui is “well below replacement level.”

Or you could just look at our record which is 11-11 with him and 0-7 without him.