Despite a disappointing playoff performance, Rui Hachimura emerged as a bright spot for the Lakers, showing determination against Rudy Gobert. As the team relied on small ball lineups, Hachimura noted the struggle to compete with Gobert's size. In his exit interview, he expressed that the Lakers need to acquire a center to bolster rebounding efforts, emphasizing the challenges he faced while defending Gobert. His insights reflect a clear recognition of the team's weaknesses, urging a strategic focus for future improvements.
Rui Hachimura emphasized the Lakers' need for a center, stating, "We need somebody to get rebounds... I can't just be face-to-face boxing out Gobert the whole game."
Hachimura highlighted the challenge of double-teaming Gobert, saying, "The problem was...two guys on him and the other guys were diving into offensive rebounds and it's easy..."
The Lakers' loss to the Wolves exposed their center weakness, and Hachimura's efforts, despite his size disadvantage, illustrated their struggle against Gobert.
Hachimura's acknowledgment of the team's need for a rebounder tapered off frustration, stating, "I try to fight through that, but there's a level you can't overcome."
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