Rui Hachimura said Wednesday that LeBron James has handled a major role change for the Los Angeles Lakers with the kind of leadership that helped push them to the No. 4 seed.
James became a third option this season behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, a shift that Hachimura said made this year “very different” for the veteran star. But Hachimura said James still “really respects the team,” understands the roles around him and has been a leader, adding that is why he thinks the Lakers finished with the No. 4 seed.
Hachimura spoke to reporters after practice as the Lakers prepared for a first-round series against the Houston Rockets. The comments came during a stretch in which the Lakers have been framing James’ role change as one of the defining storylines of their season.
James also already told the media this week that the Lakers cannot afford to get bullied on the glass, a reminder that even with his new place in the offense, his voice still carries through the roster. The combination of a reduced scoring hierarchy and steady leadership has become part of the Lakers’ identity heading into the playoffs.
What happens next is straightforward: the Lakers will have to turn that balance into wins against Houston, with James’ willingness to accept the shift now measured against playoff results.
