{"id":56114,"date":"2023-10-06T13:21:55","date_gmt":"2023-10-06T17:21:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=56114"},"modified":"2023-10-06T13:21:55","modified_gmt":"2023-10-06T17:21:55","slug":"who-should-be-the-lakers-fifth-starter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/10\/06\/who-should-be-the-lakers-fifth-starter\/","title":{"rendered":"Who Should be the Lakers\u2019 Fifth Starter?"},"content":{"rendered":"

With week one of Lakers training camp underway, much has been made over who the team\u2019s starters will be. Aside from <\/span>LeBron James<\/b><\/a> and <\/span>Anthony Davis<\/b><\/a>, <\/span>D\u2019Angelo Russell<\/b><\/a> and <\/span>Austin Reaves<\/b><\/a> are the confirmed starters in the backcourt. That leaves a forward slot open for LA, one that could be filled by various worthy candidates.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Athletic\u2019s Jovan Buha<\/a> noted that <\/span>Rui Hachimura<\/b><\/a>, <\/span>Jarred Vanderbilt<\/b><\/a> and <\/span>Taurean Prince<\/b><\/a> are the team\u2019s three options:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>The Lakers have been mixing up their lineups in scrimmages, experimenting with different players at small forward. Vanderbilt was the primary fifth starter on the first day, with Prince being more involved with the starters on the second day, according to team sources. Hachimura, who entered camp as the favorite for the position given his considerable playoff progress, is expected to get a serious shot in camp as well.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What do each of them bring to the table, and how will their skills complement the rest of the Lakers\u2019 starters?<\/span><\/p>\n

Who Should be the Lakers\u2019 Fifth Starter?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Rui Hachimura<\/b><\/h3>\n

Despite a hefty payday in free agency, that alone should not guarantee a starting spot for Rui Hachimura. Rui said he\u2019s willing to do whatever is asked of him this season, <\/span>telling reporters<\/span><\/a>: \u201cPlaying time is more important. I want to finish the game.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

While there\u2019s little doubt he can thrive as a closer, his stats as a starter are impressive.\u00a0In nine games with the first unit last season, Hachimura averaged 11.2 points and 5.9 rebounds on 47% shooting from the field and 40% from three. <\/span><\/p>\n

Looking at the bigger picture, though, Hachimura is a skilled shooter and three-level scorer. He made 50% of his midrange attempts last season (45% in the playoffs). His offense has shined in any situation, and it\u2019s allowed the Lakers to succeed whenever he is on the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hachimura is also a <\/span>stifling defender<\/span><\/a>. At one point after the All-Star break, <\/span>his defensive rating was on par with wings such as<\/span><\/a> Kawhi Leonard<\/b><\/a>, <\/span>Lu Dort<\/b><\/a>, <\/span>Aaron Gordon<\/b><\/a>. Though he ultimately finished with a rating of 110.3 after the break, Hachimura showed signs as a net positive on defense. He accounted for 24.4% of LA\u2019s blocks and held opponents to an average of 23.6 points in the paint.<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout training camp, Rui has made it a point to become more aggressive at the rim, adding to his offensive repertoire. Pairing it with the paint dominance of LeBron and AD could bode very well for the Lakers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Rui Hachimura:<\/p>\n

"I know I've got mid-range, but I'm trying to be more aggressive on the rim. I've been working out a lot. … My body got stronger. I'm just trying to get more easy points."<\/p>\n

Say Less, Rui:pic.twitter.com\/maIDgP4UJx<\/a><\/p>\n

— Lakers Legacy (@LakersLegacyPod) October 5, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n