Rui Hachimura

[nate33]

I think he meant that with just 7 years basketball experience, Rui is bound to improve, and Rui is known for his work ethic, so it's possible. One thing about Rui is that he will work his arse off, and that's part of defense.

IMO Rui has much more raw talent than Clarke and he will adapt to the NBA much better. His work ethic is just gravy. Rooting hard for him as his #1 fan on this board.

His work ethic is what I'm pinning my hopes to, because he really needs to develop a 3 point shot and improve his D - and his chances are much improved if he works at them like a fill in the blank.

I'm not worried about his 3 ball. Almost everyone who shoots that well from midrange and the FT line eventually learns to hit 3's. My concern is rebounding and defense.

[queridiculo]

I'm mostly going to judge this pick by how PJ Washington turns out, he seemed like the better prospect at the position and the better fit.

[Ruzious]

IMO Rui has much more raw talent than Clarke and he will adapt to the NBA much better. His work ethic is just gravy. Rooting hard for him as his #1 fan on this board.

His work ethic is what I'm pinning my hopes to, because he really needs to develop a 3 point shot and improve his D - and his chances are much improved if he works at them like a fill in the blank.

I'm not worried about his 3 ball. Almost everyone who shoots that well from midrange and the FT line eventually learns to hit 3's. My concern is rebounding and defense.

The only player I recall that had a good 3-ball with as flat a shot as Rui has is Rashard Lewis. Hopefully, Rui doesn't need a card from the Bricklayers' Guild.

As was explained previously, I'm not as worried about his rebounding. Zags didn't miss a lot of shots, so there weren't a lot of offensive rebounds to be had, and Zags were a dominant defensive rebounding team, so the team didn't need him much on the D boards.

[NatP4]

I'm mostly going to judge this pick by how PJ Washington turns out, he seemed like the better prospect at the position and the better fit.

Can’t argue with that.

[nate33]

His work ethic is what I'm pinning my hopes to, because he really needs to develop a 3 point shot and improve his D - and his chances are much improved if he works at them like a fill in the blank.

I'm not worried about his 3 ball. Almost everyone who shoots that well from midrange and the FT line eventually learns to hit 3's. My concern is rebounding and defense.

The only player I recall that had a good 3-ball with as flat a shot as Rui has is Rashard Lewis. Hopefully, Rui doesn't need a card from the Bricklayers' Guild.

As was explained previously, I'm not as worried about his rebounding. Zags didn't miss a lot of shots, so there weren't a lot of offensive rebounds to be had, and Zags were a dominant defensive rebounding team, so the team didn't need him much on the D boards.

Kawhi has a good 3 ball and no arc.

Also, Rui releasing on the way down is correctable. Once that is corrected, his arc will increase.

[Jamaaliver]

Congrats, guys. There's a chance you've got a future star on your hands.

The half-Asian, half-African Rui Hachimura is the future of basketball

Watch on YouTube

With the No. 9 pick, the Washington Wizards selected Rui Hachimura, the first Japanese-born player ever chosen in the first round. When he suits up for an NBA game, Hachimura—whose mother is Japansese and whose father is from Benin, in west Africa—will become just the fourth person of Japanese descent to play in the league.

Hachimura is the latest of a new generation of international players that are helping lift the NBA and basketball to a vast new audience. While European players have dotted NBA rosters for years, in the last decade there has been a growing influx of players from around the globe.

Sports economist Mark Nagel also recognizes Hachimura’s preeminence. “He’s a great player, and in a lot of ways, he’s the first player Japan has really had that’s really, really good,” Nagel told The Japan Times. “You’re going to see more and more kids saying, ‘I want to follow the NBA. I want to follow Hachimura. I want to play basketball.’”

Nagel predicted that merchandise sales for Hachimura’s new team (the Wizards) might spike in Japan.

Quartz

[80sballboy]

I do like this quote from Shep. Doesn't mean he'll be great but at least he will try

Read on Twitter

[DCZards]

All hail Wins Produced and the god of offensive rebounds! Shame the dissenters! Shame!

What's the last thing you were right about, do tell?

ohhh...please PIF. You really need to come down off your pompous high horse.

[Mizerooskie]

Athleticism, size, work ethic, shooting skill, and aggression. He's got an alpha attitude. Remains to be seen if he can develop enough of a varied skill set, but I'm liking the pick more and more.

[Rafael122]

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Who would you guys have picked at 19?

[tontoz]

I definitely have doubts as to whether he was the BPA, but he does have some positives. Scoring 20 ppg with a 65% TS isn't easy and he has a NBA body. He started late so he may have plenty of upside.

I can't really criticize too much since I rarely watch college ball.

[TGW]

I'll say this about Rui: he'll be a fine throw in when the next GM includes him in a package for a really good player. Just sayin'...I don't see him as a long-term answer. His value will be as instant offense off the bench. Guys like that tend to get moved around a lot in their career, like Lou Williams.

[Endless Loop]

I have high hopes for Rui and like the pick. But regardless of how he works out, I don't think it's fair to say this is another example of a bumbling organization continuing to do what it's always done and getting it wrong again. This draft is nothing at all like Ernie's drafts. Ernie too often drafted for athleticism and he was clueless about character.

Both of this year's draft picks are very high character guys, and they weren't the finest athletes available.

Another thing- the Wizards BOUGHT a second round draft pick!

There's plenty of reasons to be critical of the Wizards, but this draft is a refreshing, promising break with the past.

[Ruzious]

I do like this quote from Shep. Doesn't mean he'll be great but at least he will try

Read on Twitter

Well, I'm seeing this kid will be impossible not to pull for.

I guess if we called his fan club RuiNation, that could be negatively misconstrued.

[Dat2U]

Uh huh. Tell me, did you watch either of them play? Have you looked at the numbers either of them posted?

Btw, Brandon Clarke is 22. He is 17 months older than Rui Hachimura. Unlike Rui, he is an outstanding basketball player.

I think he meant that with just 7 years basketball experience, Rui is bound to improve, and Rui is known for his work ethic, so it's possible. One thing about Rui is that he will work his arse off, and that's part of defense.

IMO Rui has much more raw talent than Clarke and he will adapt to the NBA much better. His work ethic is just gravy. Rooting hard for him as his #1 fan on this board.

What's the point of raw talent if it can't be actualized? How does raw talent get actualized?

1. High degree of skill.
2. High b-ball IQ, excellen feel/awareness.
3. High motor.

Rui has the motor on offense and modest skill.

He's 21, also a bit older than your typical project.

Were celebrating his work ethic, but the majority of draft picks are hard workers. What separates Rui from anyone else that works hard? Hell, what separates Rui above his teammate Brandon Clarke who clearly has worked hard at his game and is far far more productive and far more athletic?

The sole advantages Rui has over Clarke is in the modest shooting skill and his frame/height. Every other physical or mental attribute, Clarke has an significant advantage.

So please explain the whole, "more raw talent than Clarke" statement to me. I'd love to understand why.

[Dat2U]

His work ethic is what I'm pinning my hopes to, because he really needs to develop a 3 point shot and improve his D - and his chances are much improved if he works at them like a fill in the blank.

I'm not worried about his 3 ball. Almost everyone who shoots that well from midrange and the FT line eventually learns to hit 3's. My concern is rebounding and defense.

The only player I recall that had a good 3-ball with as flat a shot as Rui has is Rashard Lewis. Hopefully, Rui doesn't need a card from the Bricklayers' Guild.

As was explained previously, I'm not as worried about his rebounding. Zags didn't miss a lot of shots, so there weren't a lot of offensive rebounds to be had, and Zags were a dominant defensive rebounding team, so the team didn't need him much on the D boards.

But Clarke rebounded like a mad man?

A lack of defensive boards is just another sign of poor feel/awareness.

[Rafael122]

I'm not worried about his 3 ball. Almost everyone who shoots that well from midrange and the FT line eventually learns to hit 3's. My concern is rebounding and defense.

The only player I recall that had a good 3-ball with as flat a shot as Rui has is Rashard Lewis. Hopefully, Rui doesn't need a card from the Bricklayers' Guild.

As was explained previously, I'm not as worried about his rebounding. Zags didn't miss a lot of shots, so there weren't a lot of offensive rebounds to be had, and Zags were a dominant defensive rebounding team, so the team didn't need him much on the D boards.

But Clarke rebounded like a mad man?

A lack of defensive boards is just another sign of poor feel/awareness.

But is poor feel/awareness as a result of lack of experience?

[JWizmentality]

I think he meant that with just 7 years basketball experience, Rui is bound to improve, and Rui is known for his work ethic, so it's possible. One thing about Rui is that he will work his arse off, and that's part of defense.

IMO Rui has much more raw talent than Clarke and he will adapt to the NBA much better. His work ethic is just gravy. Rooting hard for him as his #1 fan on this board.

What's the point of raw talent if it can't be actualized? How does raw talent get actualized?

1. High degree of skill.
2. High b-ball IQ, excellen feel/awareness.
3. High motor.

Rui has the motor on offense and modest skill.

He's 21, also a bit older than your typical project.

Were celebrating his work ethic, but the majority of draft picks are hard workers. What separates Rui from anyone else that works hard? Hell, what separates Rui above his teammate Brandon Clarke who clearly has worked hard at his game and is far far more productive and far more athletic?

The sole advantages Rui has over Clarke is in the modest shooting skill and his frame/height. Every other physical or mental attribute, Clarke has an significant advantage.

So please explain the whole, "more raw talent than Clarke" statement to me. I'd love to understand why.

My dude. What's got you so bent out of shape about this? I get it. You loved Brandon Clarke. But there wasn't much that separated him from Rui. He wasn't "far" superior to him by any stretch of the imagination but you speak of him like the gulf was Zion and...Eddy Curry.

Explain that to me.

[Ruzious]

I'm not worried about his 3 ball. Almost everyone who shoots that well from midrange and the FT line eventually learns to hit 3's. My concern is rebounding and defense.

The only player I recall that had a good 3-ball with as flat a shot as Rui has is Rashard Lewis. Hopefully, Rui doesn't need a card from the Bricklayers' Guild.

As was explained previously, I'm not as worried about his rebounding. Zags didn't miss a lot of shots, so there weren't a lot of offensive rebounds to be had, and Zags were a dominant defensive rebounding team, so the team didn't need him much on the D boards.

But Clarke rebounded like a mad man?

A lack of defensive boards is just another sign of poor feel/awareness.

This seems like a silly argument since they were both on the same team, and their team dominated the defensive boards. Did you watch Gonzaga and see he failed to block out an opponent who got an offensive board? Is Clarke's lack of bulk going to allow him to rebound as well in the NBA? He's certainly not going to block NBA bigs out on a regulr basis. Tyrus Thomas was a monster rebounder at LSU playing next to Big Baby - getting 14 rebounds per 36 minutes. In the NBA, he averaged 8.8 rebounds per 36. Why is that going to be different for Clarke? And Thomas was actually a little bigger than Clarke.

[I_Like_Dirt]

I'm mostly going to judge this pick by how PJ Washington turns out, he seemed like the better prospect at the position and the better fit.

They both fit just fine. Whichever one of them is better is the one that would have fit better. I'm not so sure Washington was necessarily a better prospect, either. He was very good but also has his limits. Rui is a better shooter (FT% is the big tell) and scorer. Neither is a particularly great playmaker. If Rui can defend functionally, he stands a pretty decent shot of being the better player. Rebounding is overrated in the modern game. Being able to rebound as a team and prevent offensive boards is the bigger issue and Rui seems alright there.

The bigger question mark for me was Clarke. He struck me as being much better than Hachimura in a lot of ways. Despite that, a fair few NBA teams passed on Clarke, including teams like the Spurs and Nets that generally draft very well. I still think Clarke is going to be good but I'm a bit curious what those other teams saw that I didn't.

In all, though, this draft doesn't seem like it had some sort of stark talent curve. There are a lot of guys I could see carving out useful careers as rotation players or even 3rd or 4th starters or so. There aren't a lot of guys that scream star potential. I wouldn't even be too surprised if some guys came out of nowhere and became stars anyway but I really can't tell. Even looking way down the draft I'm very intrigued by some guys like Quinndary Weatherspoon, Justin Wright-Foreman and Dewan Hernandez (formerly Huell).