The latest Los Angeles Laker on the block, Rui Hachimura, shared his thoughts on the Rakuten server in Japan crashing after people tuned in to witness his debut in the Lakers jersey.
Hachimura, the second Japanese-born player to be drafted into the NBA after Yasutaka Okayama and also the first Japanese-born player in Lakers history, had a decent debut in LA’s 113-104 win against the San Antonio Spurs.
Coming off the bench, he ended his evening with 12 points, 6 rebounds, and an assist after playing for 22 minutes — a decent start to his stint as a Laker. Speaking to the media after the win, Hachimura beamed with pride when he was told that the servers crashed after people thronged to watch him play. Per Clutch Points’ Michael Corvo:
Rui Hachimura’s response to being told Rakuten servers in Japan crashed during the Lakers game, due to the amount of folks who tried to watch his Lakers debut.
Rui said the Lakers are the biggest NBA team in Japan, so it’s a big deal that he’s playing in LA. pic.twitter.com/Ai2NFCSQin
— michael corvo (@michaelcorvo_) January 26, 2023
Rui Hachimura’s response to being told Rakuten servers in Japan crashed during the Lakers game, due to the amount of folks who tried to watch his Lakers debut. Rui said the Lakers are the biggest NBA team in Japan, so it’s a big deal that he’s playing in LA.
His answer was a mix of surprise and happiness:
Honestly, I haven’t checked my phone yet, and as I said before, the Lakers are literally the most famous team in the NBA and in Japan, so I think a lot of people will be watching and following me. I am happy to be here.
Hachimura was one of the first moves the Lakers made ahead of the trade deadline. He was traded for Kendrick Nunn, and three future second-round draft picks on January 23. The ongoing season sees him average 13.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.
Rui Hachimura Explains His Fit With The Lakers
The forward now has a shot to show what he brings to the table for a shooting-depleted Lakers unit. Over the years, the 25-year-old has displayed glimpses of his ability on both sides of the floor but does face the challenge of integrating with a team mid-season.
On his part, Hachimura wasn’t too worried about it. He had played with Thomas Bryant and Russell Westbrook during his time with the Wizards and has some chemistry with the duo. He was optimistic about his fit with the rest of the roster.
“I think for me, I think I can shoot the ball from three and midrange. I can attack the rim,” Hachimura added. “Even off the ball, cutting and stuff is good for me. And yeah, I can get a rebound and push the ball and stuff. So I can do a lot of stuff. And I think this can be great.”
Hachimura’s role isn’t the easiest, especially when he takes the floor in the absence of stalwarts LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but conversely, it’s also an opportunity to prove that he can influence the game with and off the ball.
Only time will tell if he can go on and cement himself as a vital cog in the Lakers’ lineup as they stake their claim for a playoff berth.
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