“Basketball is amazing, it’s really fun” What is the “origin” that Rui Hachimura remembered at the NBA Lakers? Dense 4 months surrounded by talented coaches and best role models-NBA-Number Web

“Basketball is amazing, it’s really fun”

This is a quote that Rui Hachimura said in an interview for winning the Winter Cup when he was in Meisei High School. These words, which he said with a big smile, left a big impression on Japanese basketball fans.

However, in the past year or two, Hachimura’s smile had become rare. He loved playing basketball, which is supposed to be fun, and in post-game interviews, he showed less dimples and said less.

In the first year after entering the NBA, which was my goal, there was an abnormal situation called corona misfortune. NBA’s overcrowded schedule beyond imagination. The pressure of the Tokyo Olympics held in his home country Japan. Changes in roles due to changes in the Washington Wizards team composition. A team situation that loses more often than it wins. I wondered which one was the cause, or whether it was a combination of all of them. After the Tokyo Olympics, he spent half the season away from the team for “personal reasons.” It is said that he needed a rest due to mental health issues.

Turning trade to Lakers

Meanwhile, a big turning point came to Hachimura in late January this year. He was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Officially, the transfer was due to a trade between teams, but since he was in the position of becoming a free agent after the season, Hachimura also had a choice. No team will pay much for a player who has no intention of re-signing in the offseason. Hachimura chose the Lakers after receiving the advice of his agent, among several candidate teams. It’s a team with a long tradition of winning 17 times, and one of the all-time greats, LeBron James. However, at the end of January, the slump immediately after the opening of the season affected and the results were losing.

Regarding the decision to trade, Hachimura revealed at a press conference after the season.

[next page]The Lakers move was a gamble.”