Just abused Max on this one. In real time and on social afterwards. Didn't expect him to level up like this after the AD trade. Also led the team in minutes last night, JJ's got full belief in him.
Rui’s big enough and strong enough to play some backup C for our team and he’s been doing a pretty good job of it. So far, he’s been a really good cog in our system. It’s wild to think we went from almost no wings around Bron to now having Rui, Vando, DFS and Luka.
Here’s a thought and it’s entirely possible no purple glasses needed …. with Rui having this 2 way player plus now some rebounding break out year “in progress” (he’s nowhere near topped out and getting better) … how about Hachimura effectively making our Big 3 into a Big 3.5 - 4 by the playoffs? He’s super strong, explosive and quick. If he really keeps improving on D like he is look the hell out. Exactly the same arc as Max this year …. starts to put it together on D and looks great at it in flashes, is shooting the 3 ball well over 40 all year … and if HE had the opportunity with like what Max has now with Kidd to expand his nice mid range game …. I’m certain he’s got a lot more in his repertoire “too” than he can show on this roster with what’s needed from him plus JJ’s not looking for mid range out of Rui.
if you think about it, rui probably is close to the value of say, porzingis in boston. they have a big two at forward, followed by two great two-way guys at guard (white, holiday), one very good two-way center (horford), and a semi-flawed two way guy at backup big in zinger. we can't quite match that architecture, but we have a LOT more star power, particularly in creating offense from our top spots. if rui's playable--especially for some backup center minutes--it's pretty big for us. i worry because--and i don't know this--people say the back line spot really benefits from super high hoop iq. this is why horford (or slick's favorite player marc gasol or magic's least favorite player brook lopez) can thrive at that position while guys like willy cauley-stein are out of the league. rui hasn't shown that level of awareness, but i like that he's worked hard to make himself potentially playable at both 3 and 5, which are very different.
I underestimated what bringing in Luka could do for Rui. I thought Vando would be the guy to really shine with Luka's added playmaking (still time to see how that shakes out). But now that we have the best trio of shot creators in the league, all we need Rui to do is finish plays. Make spot-up threes, cut for easy baskets. It's a simple role for him on offense right now which is good, and he's putting real effort into the defensive stuff.
luka's an accelerator, and as much as i love vando...there's nothing to accelerate there. he's just really limited on offense. rui has some tools that can be amplified on offense.
Looked pretty bad. Probably missing tomorrow's game. If I'm the Lakers, I would just sit Bron and Rui out. Bron looked like he irritated his hamstring late in the 4th. Maybe having Luka run the show with Reaves could get his game back.
This injury is probably not severe, but we should play it safe and sit him today. There is no need to put any additional stress on that knee, but injuries like these happen; most of the time they will come back relatively quickly, as long as there is no structural damage shown. Now, when someone actually bumps into your knee with some force from the side... that is usually bad news. But this was a non-contact injury, so let's hope for the best.
