We are only a short while away from the start of the NBA regular season, which means Lakers basketball is coming in fast. LA has a great chance to win the title this year if they can stay healthy, and if they live up to expectations.
One of the biggest keys to this season for LA will be the play of forward Rui Hachimura. He was acquired last trade deadline and was a key part of their run to the Western Conference Finals a year ago.
So far through three preseason games, Hachimura is averaging 14.6 points per game. His hot start has been great to see, and you can already see the work that he put in over the offseason translating to the court.
Hachimura added some weight during the summer because he wanted to become more physically bulldozing this year. When he drives to the basket, he should be able to use that extra strength to his advantage to help bully defenders.
He has also wanted to become a better and more consistent three-point shooter this season. His shooting was very helpful in the postseason, and it unlocked an entirely new element for this Lakers offense.
If he can consistently knock down three-pointers this season, it would help give the Lakers a major advantage. Opposing teams would have to put their focus on him, which would free up more space for the other Laker players on the court.
