Rui Hachimura’s Winning Mindset Is Quietly Powering the Lakers
When you look at the Los Angeles Lakers right now, it’s easy to focus on the stars. Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, LeBron James — they naturally draw the spotlight. But quietly, consistently, and without any ego attached, Rui Hachimura has been one of the biggest reasons this team keeps humming along. And what makes it even more impressive is that Rui himself insists he isn’t chasing the spotlight at all.
Going into their matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers were trying to sweep their NBA Cup Group Play at 4-0 — and they did exactly that. The starters carried most of the load, but Rui once again delivered exactly what they needed. He put up 14 points, grabbed four rebounds, and knocked down four threes. Nothing flashy, nothing forced — just solid, situational basketball played with complete confidence.
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Before the game, Rui spoke openly about his mindset, and the honesty was refreshing. He said he isn’t focused on being some kind of superstar. He isn’t hunting shots. He isn’t lobbying for touches. He just wants to help the team win, whatever that looks like on any given night. He talked about liking his role, liking the system, liking how the coaching staff and teammates treat him, and — this part stood out — how badly he wants to win a championship with this group.
And the numbers back up how well he’s settling in. Through the early stretch of the season, Rui is averaging a career-high in scoring while shooting the ball more efficiently than ever — nearly 50 percent from three and over 56 percent from the field. In a Lakers system that sometimes struggles with spacing, Rui has become one of their most dependable long-range weapons.
It’s also worth remembering that this role didn’t just fall into his lap. With Gabe Vincent returning from injury and Marcus Smart battling back spasms, there were questions about whether head coach JJ Redick would shift things around. Instead, Rui stayed in the starting lineup and continued doing everything asked of him — a low-maintenance, high-impact presence who simply fits.
And that fit matters. This Lakers team is built around big on-ball creators. They need players who can defend, stretch the floor, and not require constant touches to stay engaged. Rui checks all those boxes. He’s willing to be the complementary piece rather than the focal point — and ironically, that makes him extremely valuable.
The Lakers are off to a strong 14-4 start, with the Spurs up next in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. And while Rui won’t claim he’s a driving force, his steady, selfless approach has absolutely helped keep the ride smooth. In a league full of players chasing stardom, Rui Hachimura is showing how powerful it can be when someone simply commits to helping the team win — nothing more, nothing less.
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