Rui Hachimura

[Jaekast]

You'll know when the black community truly embraces Rui when they start wearing kimonos to home games.

[JWizmentality]

You'll know when the black community truly embraces Rui when they start wearing kimonos to home games.

What an odd statement to make.

[Mojo Amok]

I hope we don't try and play Rui at the 3 - I'm seeing at least a few depth charts across the interwebs plugging him in as the starting small forward with Bertans at the 4. I Just don't see it.

I quite like him attacking wings inside on switches, but everything I've seen from body type to skill-set says that he's a natural power forward after he bulks up a little. His face-up game will work a lot better against slower footed defenders and I just don't see him chasing true wings around outside without it being an exploitable liability. He's much better defensively when guys try and overpower him.

Draymond Green The Sage: "But the 3 spot almost had me out of the league. The next year I played more 4, which I felt like obviously was my natural position. It was a lot better for me."

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/253605/Draymond-Green-Playing-Small-Forward-As-A-Rooke-Almost-Had-Me-Out-Of-NBA

[tontoz]

Was there anyone who expected this guy to be hitting pull-up 3s?

i think i can speak for everyone here.......No. I am a little surprised to see him even attempt one.

[Illmatic12]

Was there anyone who expected this guy to be hitting pull-up 3s?

i think i can speak for everyone here.......No. I am a little surprised to see him even attempt one.

Honestly we should have seen this coming but I didn't know a ton about his backstory before the draft.
Gonzaga's coaching staff pigeon-holed Hachimura as a post player but he clearly grew up playing on the perimeter.

His true archetype is a Kawhi x Melo powerful wing player. If he had played this way in NCAA he'd have gone top 5 in the draft

Watch on YouTube

Now it's just a matter of giving him the freedom to bring out those skills within the spacing and system of the NBA game. It might take him a while to adjust (and for his coaches&teammates to understand what he can do) so I don't expect immediate translation to the league but he can get there.

He's kinda like Otto in that he doesn't quite have the pure quickness needed to play SF, but the difference is that he has so much brute physicality and strength, he can comfortably play the 4/5 and still be in his element.

[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

Watching his video, I think this is going to be a home run pick even if he doesn't reach the KW/GA comparisons. Maybe it's out time to get lucky.

[nate33]

Bryan Oringher loves Hachimura's defense. Here's a short video showing some of the thing Rui does well:

Read on Twitter

[prime1time]

Bryan Oringher loves Hachimura's defense. Here's a short video showing some of the thing Rui does well:

Read on Twitter

When he throws out Giannis comparisons, he loses credibility. They play nothing alike. Even the Siakam comparison makes no sense. I feel like he's just throwing out those names because those are just the "it" players to talk about.

[Illmatic12]

Bryan Oringher loves Hachimura's defense. Here's a short video showing some of the thing Rui does well:

Read on Twitter

When he throws out Giannis comparisons, he loses credibility. They play nothing alike. Even the Siakam comparison makes no sense. I feel like he's just throwing out those names because those are just the "it" players to talk about.

He’s trying to get clicks like anyone else on social media. He did a video of Tyler Herro and put Luka Doncic in the headline which is obviously a reach.

But the actual analysis is sound if you look past the clickbait titles.

[nate33]

When he throws out Giannis comparisons, he loses credibility. They play nothing alike. Even the Siakam comparison makes no sense. I feel like he's just throwing out those names because those are just the "it" players to talk about.

He’s trying to get clicks like anyone else on social media. He did a video of Tyler Herro and put Luka Doncic in the headline which is obviously a reach.

But the actual analysis is sound if you look past the clickbait titles.

I actually thought the Siakam comparison made some sense. He is agile and long-armed like Siakam, and likes to spin and slash his way toward the cup. And like Siakam, his 3-point shot is a little suspect but not necessarily broken.

[prime1time]

When he throws out Giannis comparisons, he loses credibility. They play nothing alike. Even the Siakam comparison makes no sense. I feel like he's just throwing out those names because those are just the "it" players to talk about.

He’s trying to get clicks like anyone else on social media. He did a video of Tyler Herro and put Luka Doncic in the headline which is obviously a reach.

But the actual analysis is sound if you look past the clickbait titles.

I actually thought the Siakam comparison made some sense. He is agile and long-armed like Siakam, and likes to spin and slash his way toward the cup. And like Siakam, his 3-point shot is a little suspect but not necessarily broken.

It makes sense in a vacuum. Look at Rui's college stuff. The dude is an elite mid-range scorer. Pull-ups, stepbacks, in-and-out dribbles, one and two dribble pull-ups and fadeaways. One of the worst mistakes we could make is try to Rui into a layup, 3-point guy. Another big difference between Rui and Pascal is Rui's strength and size. Rui uses his weight to get separation for his jumper. Pascal's offensive game is raw even now. Rui's closer to Paul Pierce and Melo than Siakam.

Watch on YouTube

Step back at 28 seconds, pump fake, jabstep a couple dribbles into the pull-up at 40 seconds, jab-step into a jumper 1:29, midrange jumper 1:39, 1:54 - crossover into a pull-up midrange jumper. And this is only the first two minutes. Siakam has no middle game at all. Either he shoots open 3's off of defenses helping off or he's attacking the hoop. Rui's offensive game at 21, is light years ahead of of Siakam at 25.

Watch on YouTube

This was Siakam's 44 point night vs. the Wiz. Not one mid-range jumper the entire game. Why is this important? Well, it's important because Siakam will never be a lead scorer. Because lead scorers need to have the offensive skill to score when the defense is locked in. 3-pointers and layups sound good. But in the playoffs when defenses lock in, you need to have at least one player on your team that can go up against tough man-to-man defense and get off an efficient shot. The level of skill in Rui's offensive game is closer to Paul Pierce IMO.

Watch on YouTube

This is closer to Rui if you ask me. Against bad defensive teams it won't matter. Against good defensive teams, however, the difference will become apparent. Rui will be able to get his mid-range shots off against any defender with his high release. The three-point shooting will make him an offensive juggernaut.

[payitforward]

Wow...!!

This is some super-fantasy positivity stuff here. Be great if it all came true. But, I think I might refrain from the "maybe not Giannis but more like Paul Pierce" stuff until Rui demonstrates that he can play in the NBA. At all. Period.

Not doubting it, btw, but... come on. Did he win MVP of SL like... oh what was his name again, that MVP?

"Offensive juggernaut..." It's Summer League, guys!

[prime1time]

Wow...!!

This is some super-fantasy positivity stuff here. Be great if it all came true. But, I think I might refrain from the "maybe not Giannis but more like Paul Pierce" stuff until Rui demonstrates that he can play in the NBA. At all. Period.

Not doubting it, btw, but... come on. Did he win MVP of SL like... oh what was his name again, that MVP?

"Offensive juggernaut..." It's Summer League, guys!

Haha, talking about his skillset. Success is another thing. And what's the point of waiting to see if he can play in the NBA? I'm a fan. When we draft a player I analyze his current abilities and project into the future. And to be honest, the Paul Pierce comparison doesn't fully capture Rui's offensive ability, because Rui can be the screen man and get easy points simply rolling to the hoop like any non-skilled big man.

As far as I'm concerned as an NBA fan either your team is good in the present or you're looking forward to the future with hope. The Wizards are not good in the present so I'm looking forward to the future. Might Rui come up short? Of course. But part of the fun of drafting a young player is that he's a blank canvas. Also, I would point out that Chauncey Billups is the one who compared him to Kawhi Leonard. So me throwing out Paul Pierce is not that out there.

Lastly, I believe what I write. If it makes you happier, how about instead of using player names I say, Rui projects as a highly skilled offensive player that can combine the scoring of both big Men and wing players, while also potentially having the ability to guard non-skilled Big Men. These three things combined with improved 3-point shooting, improved ball-handling and an ability to provide sufficient defense has the potential to make Rui the best Wizard player drafted in my lifetime.

[prime1time]

Wow...!!

This is some super-fantasy positivity stuff here. Be great if it all came true. But, I think I might refrain from the "maybe not Giannis but more like Paul Pierce" stuff until Rui demonstrates that he can play in the NBA. At all. Period.

Not doubting it, btw, but... come on. Did he win MVP of SL like... oh what was his name again, that MVP?

"Offensive juggernaut..." It's Summer League, guys!

Haha, talking about his skillset. Success is another thing. And what's the point of waiting to see if he can play in the NBA? I'm a fan. When we draft a player I analyze his current abilities and project into the future. And to be honest, the Paul Pierce comparison doesn't fully capture Rui's offensive ability, because Rui can be the screen man and get easy points simply rolling to the hoop like any non-skilled big man.

As far as I'm concerned as an NBA fan either your team is good in the present or you're looking forward to the future with hope. The Wizards are not good in the present so I'm looking forward to the future. Might Rui come up short? Of course. But part of the fun of drafting a young player is that he's a blank canvas. Also, I would point out that Chauncey Billups is the one who compared him to Kawhi Leonard. So me throwing out Paul Pierce is not that out there.

Lastly, I believe what I write. If it makes you happier, how about instead of using player names I say, Rui projects as a highly skilled offensive player that can combine the scoring of both big Men and wing players, while also potentially having the ability to guard non-skilled Big Men. These three things combined with improved 3-point shooting, improved ball-handling and an ability to provide sufficient defense has the potential to make Rui the best Wizard player drafted in my lifetime.

Also, no need to worry. Nothing ever gets deleted off the internet. So if Rui ends up being a bust my shame will live forever.

[nate33]

I actually thought the Siakam comparison made some sense. He is agile and long-armed like Siakam, and likes to spin and slash his way toward the cup. And like Siakam, his 3-point shot is a little suspect but not necessarily broken.

It makes sense in a vacuum. Look at Rui's college stuff. The dude is an elite mid-range scorer. Pull-ups, stepbacks, in-and-out dribbles, one and two dribble pull-ups and fadeaways. One of the worst mistakes we could make is try to Rui into a layup, 3-point guy. Another big difference between Rui and Pascal is Rui's strength and size. Rui uses his weight to get separation for his jumper. Pascal's offensive game is raw even now. Rui's closer to Paul Pierce and Melo than Siakam.

I was thinking more about defense.

[jangles86]

I really like the Grant Hill comparison....Noones made it yet but when they do I’ll really like it.

[dangermouse]

I hated the Rui pick on draft day, but this SL play has me thinking I was dead wrong.

I know its just SL but his offense looks elite, his defense looks pretty good too. For someone late to basketball his court awareness is pretty good too. A few mistakes trying to force the issue etc. but that will come with time. He recognises when he is doubled/triple teamed and passes out. Thats good for someone new to the game...

Sneaky athlete like Otto. Who he will be better than.

I thought the Kawhi comparison was whack, but you know it isnt far off. He plays like Kawhi on offense. His defense has a ways to go yet but he is ahead of where I thought he was right now.

Very excited

[prime1time]

I really like the Grant Hill comparison....Noones made it yet but when they do I’ll really like it.

I though about it, but Grant was a playmaker. He averaged 7.3 assists one season pre-injury.

Watch on YouTube

Rui's not a naturally gifted passer/playmaker. And his ball handling right now is too limited to routinely pass it to open players seamlessly while he attacks. The most you can hope for passing wise is that as his ball handling improves he'll make the right decision So you are looking at a guy who at best might be around 4/5 assists per game.

[prime1time]

I hated the Rui pick on draft day, but this SL play has me thinking I was dead wrong.

I know its just SL but his offense looks elite, his defense looks pretty good too. For someone late to basketball his court awareness is pretty good too. A few mistakes trying to force the issue etc. but that will come with time. He recognises when he is doubled/triple teamed and passes out. Thats good for someone new to the game...

Sneaky athlete like Otto. Who he will be better than.

I thought the Kawhi comparison was whack, but you know it isnt far off. He plays like Kawhi on offense. His defense has a ways to go yet but he is ahead of where I thought he was right now.

Very excited

There are a lot of on court differences between Rui and Otto, but the biggest difference has nothing to do basketball and everything to do with mentality. Listening to Rui speak, he naturally has an air of confidence about him. Otto, on the other hand, was a guy who struggled to assert himself. I remember reading time and time again how the team would want Otto to shoot more, but it'll never happen. I don't think Rui will have that problem.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

I really like the Grant Hill comparison....Noones made it yet but when they do I’ll really like it.

I don't see the Grant Hill. Trying to think of a good comp.... Maybe Juwan Howard ?

Watch on YouTube