LeBron James has a keen eye for players with high basketball IQ. It is easier for him to notice because all he needs to do is find a player that suits his game style. That’s how he knew Kyrie Irving was the right choice back in the Cleveland Cavaliers days. Later, in 2019, when Anthony Davis joined the Los Angeles Lakers, LBJ formed a fantastic duo with him to help the LA side win their 17th title. Moreover, the all-time leading scorer found the tremendous talent of Austin Reaves back in 2021 in his minicamp in Las Vegas.
Irving, Davis, and Reaves all have proved to have high basketball IQ. Hence, the gist is players learn and gain a lot of skills and knowledge when LeBron James takes an interest in them. Currently, the all-time scoring leader has been working and training with the Gonzaga product Rui Hachimura. Moreover, in a news conference lately, Laker’s coach and GM talked about the intense training schedule of James and his “Understudy.”
LeBron James Is Personally Working With Rui Hachimura
Rob Pelinka was glad to see the all-time scoring leader guiding the young Laker throughout the offseason. Last season, Hachimura was pretty good at scoring after coming off the bench. But looking at his overall performance in the last playoffs, the Lakers might give him a chance in the starting lineup. Then it is good that LeBron James is already preparing Rui Hachimura for the pressure and responsibility that will come his way. Rob Pelinka says that Hachimura is playing with incredible confidence and a high level of self-belief.
Moreover, Hachimura’s strength and athletic abilities seem to be on another level, as per the Lakers GM. Adding to that, Darvin Ham said they had a laugh about it when LeBron James mentioned Rui has become his understudy. The master and the student have been working all summer with total dedication. Only time will tell how many fruits it produces next season. Last season, in 33 games wearing the Purple and Gold jersey, Hachimura averaged 9.6 ppg. Also, he averaged 0.7 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game.
Can Hachimura Turn Out To Be A New Sensation For The Lakers Next Season?
Recently, Dave McMenamin of ESPN revealed that Hachimura was meeting LBJ at the El Segundo gym. Moreover, Rui Hachimura had to change his practice schedule to meet King James for the 7 a.m. workouts. Both Darvin Ham and Rob Pelinka feel the same way about James and Hachimura working out together. Moreover, the Lakers GM said Hachimura had a rebirth. As a player after he joined the LA side coming from the Wizards.
The Laker’s front office feels it is great for the team. Moreover, Rui Hachimura has been showing incredible determination this offseason. The former Washington Wizards player impressed the Lakers Faithful last season, especially in the playoffs. He had a dominant performance against the Memphis Grizzlies in Round 1. Gradually, the Japanese improved as a three-pointer shooter and gained the trust of his teammates and the Laker’s front office.