'Oh F--k,' Lakers' Rui Hachimura Discusses Mentality and Being Open to Bench Role

Rui Hachimura has settled into being a role player for the Los Angeles Lakers, even if it means seeing less opportunities to get up his own shots.

"It's funny. I think I got used to it. It's four years here, and [the] first three years I was, I didn't know what to do," he told The Athletic's Dan Woike. "If I didn't touch the ball for like whole quarter, like, it's done for me. I can't do anything for the game, but now I'm used to it. I think it's more so the mental. When I had that always I used to think 'Oh f--k.' Like I couldn't shoot. I didn't touch the ball. But now, I'm trying to think 'OK, what I can do to help to win this game?' Rebound, box out, help defense. Those are little movements that's gonna keep me into the game. So then, when I get to the ball, I'm still in rhythm."

And if that role requires him to come off the bench again once Austin Reaves returns from injury, he'll embrace it.

"A lot of people think about stats and all that, but for me it's like winning. That's gonna help us to everybody get paid," he said. "... And especially with this second unit, I get more touches too. ... I don't mind. It's more so like, who's finishing the game? Or who's playing more? For me, that's more important."

The 27-year-old has been an important rotational option for the Lakers this year, averaging 12.1 points and 3.6 rebounds across 34 games (27 starts) while shooting 42.7 percent from three. His ability as a spot-up shooter is particularly valuable in an offense built around Luka Dončić and LeBron James, and his willingness to accept the role has been just as important.