With big performances from Los Angeles Lakers’ big names – and a rookie, the pressure is on the rest of the team to step up.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis‘ roles with the LA Lakers are what elevates the team into contention. But alone it is clear they are not enough.
Rookie Dalton Knecht has been showing he can add a different dimension – but the rest of the squad have been inconsistent.
While Max Christie earned praise against the Spurs – many would like to see the Lakers trade as much as they can away to try and lure a big star.
Speaking in a quick hit on First Take, Stephen A. Smith expressed his view that Rui Hachimura is not showing what he is capable of.
Hachimura retained his place in the line-up against San Antonio despite fans questioning it, with Cam Reddish dropping out for Knecht instead.
He contributed a valuable 16 points – yet scored only 7 in the loss to the Suns, and 10 against the Nuggets.
Smith explained: “Hachimura is a good three point shooter, I don’t know why he’s not being more assertive and more aggressive.
“I just look at the Los Angeles Lakers right now, and I see a few teams in the NBA that’s better.”
He also called out D’Angelo Russell for ‘playing on cruise control’, adding that his concerns are not directed and the two lead stars, or JJ Redick.
“The man [LeBron James] is a sensation. We know this. My problem is that I’m not seeing a good Lakers basketball team, which means that we’re reduced to LeBron stat-pad. That’s what we’re reduced to, because the rest of the team won’t show up and play.
“I’m not talking about Anthony Davis, who’s an MVP candidate, by the way, not talking about him, but where is this defense?”
Rui Hachimura has scored 30 or more points in a game seven times during his career. His highest was 36, against the Jazz earlier this year.
In fact of those seven games over 30, three have come in 2024 – last season. The highest he has contributed this season is 20.
Hachimura is averaging 12.3 ppg this season, and there have only been three games where he has scored three three-point shots this season. His highest during his career is seven threes in a single game.
He went 2-4 on threes against the Spurs. For a player capable of scoring more points, perhaps Smith is right, that he simply needs to be more assertive.
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