Japanese NBA player Rui Hachimura compliment his fellow Los Angeles Lakers teammate Lebron James after the Lakers clinched a spot in the Western Conference Finals.
The Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors 122-101 on Friday night, winning the best-of-seven series 4-2. Hachimura had 9 points and 3 rebounds in 16 minutes. James 30 points, 9 assists and 9 rebounds in 43 minutes, ESPN reports. Hachimura was full of praise for James during his post-game press conference.
“He’s amazing,” Hachimura said, according to Heavy. “That’s one thing I (was) surprised about him when I got here, it’s how crazy he takes care of his body, how he thinks about the game. Everything’s like high level and it’s so consistent. It’s amazing I’m really his teammate and I can watch it.”
Hachimura has also been an important bench player for the Lakers during the playoffs. During the team’s opening playoff game against the Memphis Grizzlies, he had 29 points, 6 rebounds and one assist. He was the first Lakers player to have 25+ points off the bench in a playoff game since Magic Johnson in 1996.
According to ESPN, James praised the “supporting cast” for helping clinch the opening win against the Grizzlies at their home court.
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James also specifically praised Hachimura before the playoffs began in early April.
“Just a super competitor. He wants to be great,” James said of Hachimura in an interview with the L.A. Times. He wants to be held accountable. He’s always asking me what he can do better to help this team, how he can be better to help this team. Cause he wants to.”
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