LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers knows that aside from actively playing, he needs to mentor the younger players seeing action in the NBA today. That all starts with his current team, particularly Rui Hachimura.
The 9th overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft reportedly worked out with LeBron James in the offseason. This was confirmed by Lakers coach Darvin Ham, who revealed that Hachimura was with James all summer through Harrison Faigen of SB Nation.
Rob Pelinka and Darvin Ham's full quotes on Rui Hachimura's role this year and hard work this offseason with LeBron: pic.twitter.com/3MvI2urVDA
— HarrisInSeasonTournament Faigen (@hmfaigen) September 28, 2023
Footages of Hachimura working out with James came out in August. One clip showed the Japanese professional basketball player working on his shooting with James.
Buckets for breakfast. pic.twitter.com/N7ItFy8wex
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 21, 2023
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At Lakers Media Day, James shared that he gave his teammates new nicknames after working out in the offseason together. As for Hachimura, the four-time NBA champion came up with the perfect nickname for him.
"We've worked out together pretty much all summer ... I see a lot in him. ... I call him my Daniel-san and I'm Mr. Miyagi," James said via Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
Different Hachimura for Lakers this season
After the Lakers acquisition of Hachimura in January, the 6-foot-8 forward showed signs of promise, NBA.com reported. While he struggled to do that regularly, expectations are high on Hachimura for the 2023-24 NBA season.
The 2019 Julius Erving Award winner re-signed with the Lakers, agreeing to a three-year deal worth $51 million in July, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. He is one of the young players the purple and gold will be relying on in their quest to win another NBA title.
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