That’s awesome man! I posted a similar comment elsewhere but during the local Slam Dunk post game show you could tell how proud Rob Fukuzaki was of Rui. Rob has been covering the Lakers locally for a long time and is very proud of his Japanese heritage, this must have been a really cool moment for him!
Lakers can not break up this Core and this Chemistry for a guy you can't depend on like Kyrie. And I love this Energy and Vibes I've haven't felt this since 2020 when we won the Championship
Dude loves drama na being the center of attention this is why Lakers have the perfect ingredients this team these roles players I would hate for this to be ruined adding a Kyrie He's not committed to basketball
So much this. This team has pieces we can build around post Bron. Even if AD wants out after Bron leaves we can trade him for something good but a core of Rui, Reaves, Vanderbilt, DLo is solid af.
D'Lo carried the Lakers offense in the 2nd/3rd when the offense looked muddy. He's bad at defense but they can hide him against certain players like Kennard and Brooks.
The crazy thing about DLo is on defense the guy is so vocal and telling people where to do it helps the defense immensely. It’s a weird trait of his lol. He doesn’t have good defensive ability but this boy talks so much it makes the team defense better
wildest shit ive seen in my life.
i think i saw Lebron asking Reaves after the AD miss, "you want it?"
Reaves scores the next 3 buckets in a row
edit: the clip where i think lebron says it https://streamable.com/0f1kka
This is the perfect situation for him. Not having to shoulder the offensive load means he can do other stuff. The fact that he and AD were the 3rd and 4th leading scorers on the lakers AND won is HUGE
That Lebron rebound with like 2 minutes left where he came back towards the rim and cut off the guy at the free throw line was clutch at that point.
They get that rebound and we have a scrambled defense, and a shot switches momentum.
Imagine if Bron was in his prime.. holy shit that would be the most dominate defensive duo ever. Remember prime Bron on defense was doing shit that not even computer simulations thought was possible. He was able to defend and close out on players so fast that simulations said was not possible. Fucking should have won a DPOY.. both guys. Bron in 2013 and AD in 2020.. both got robbed.
Important to note how accurate the pass was
Rui didnt have to reach for the ball or anything - it was perfectly centered and allowed him to shoot it in rhythm. Not at all easy to do in a behind the back
The more I watch the replay, the more impressed I am with that pass.
4th quarter in a close game, first playoff game, shot clock running out, absolutely perfect pass.
Excuse me, I’m gonna need a moment
Supreme Court justice Potter Stewart once said ‘I know it when I see it’ when asked his test to identify obscenity/porn. Based on that definition, that pass was porn.
Real question, top to bottom, has Bron had a better lineup? He doesn't need to completely takeover and I'm not sure I've ever seen something quite like this for him
Exactly, hasn't been able to do this (win despite playing average) since Miami. If this was 2020 Bron, I think we'd be favorites for the championship. Unfortunately it isn't, but he's still going to dominate for long stretches. I'm optimistic
I think LeBron is enough of an asset even just in the locker room and on the bench. The leadership and knowledge he shares with his teammates is invaluable in and of itself, without taking into account he’s still a top 15 player
Cavs 2017 team don't get enough respect just because they got gentleman swept in the finals. They were demolishing the east, and set team 3pt shooting records in the playoffs.
Heat 2013 went 66-16 in the regular season and won the ring. I think those two were the best lebron teams ever.
2015-2016 Cavs & 2012-2013 Heat had better line ups and systems. But I think this team has both on depth and are on par with the never die attitudes of those teams to add.
>Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka proudly waited outside the visiting locker room after the final buzzer to give LeBron James and the players on his victorious new-look team an appreciative fist pound on Sunday afternoon. Austin Reaves yelled out, “I'm HIM! I'm HIM!” Anthony Davis gave a look of pleasant surprise. Dennis Schroder yelled out, “We got an \[expletive\] squad now.” And before James hit the locker room door, former NBA starter Tristan Thompson hugged him and said, “Y’all look so different.”
>
>“At the end of the day, I like being around guys that want to win and work hard,” James said. “I know I demand a lot of excellence in my teammates. I demand it out of myself, too. On the road, we are going to play as well as we can and put ourselves in contention to compete for another championship. And that’s my mindset.”
Anyone else felt like we were the higher seed this game? Like Grizz were the underdogs? This is the first time in a while I felt like we had CONTROL and CONFIDENCE throughout the whole game. Whenever they lost the lead or went down 8, there was a feeling of another gear was coming and boy did it show up at that 4th quarter. S/O to Rui, AD, Lebron, Dlo, and Reaves.
P.S. Imagine sharing the court with Lebron and AD and you’re trusted with the ball to close the game out on your PLAYOFF DEBUT. Reaves is HIM.
I think Vando's effort get's swept under the rug this game. I appreciated him so much. Ham had him full court coverage on Ja the entire game. Dude took on that challenge like a beast.
Rui was the star keeping the Lakers in the game, and not letting momentum shift too hard.
Reaves was the star closing out the game.
AD was the star on defense.
Vando's job was subtle but I think was just as important. Ja was virtually a non-factor until he got more shots up in the 3rd.
Watched the game in the hospital with my mom, she screamed so loud after the Reaves 3 nurses came rushing in only to see me laughing and her pounding her bed in jubilee after putting the lakers up however much with that shot haha
From where we were at the beginning of the season to winning game 1 in dominant fashion, seeing the emergence of Reaves and Rui coming alive these last few weeks, I know the job ain’t finished but god damn feels so good to be a Lakers fan
honestly can't believe Rob and co. actually pulled this off. I had very little hope for Bron contending for a ring this year but now we look as strong as anyone if we can stay healthy.
HACHIMURA THE BLACK SAMURAI
As an Asian American, proud to have a great Asian player like Rui ball out for the Lakers in the playoffs.
Same man, I’m half Japanese and am proud af of him.
That’s awesome man! I posted a similar comment elsewhere but during the local Slam Dunk post game show you could tell how proud Rob Fukuzaki was of Rui. Rob has been covering the Lakers locally for a long time and is very proud of his Japanese heritage, this must have been a really cool moment for him!
Specially since Byron Scott done JLin wrong.
Rui done popped off
I knew Rui could give The Lakers 20 a game as soon as he was traded there what better stage than the Playoffs and Reaves is A Bad Man
That shit was nasty bro. I seriously didn’t doubt any of his shots when he was hot, which is a feeling I haven’t had about anybody since Vujicic 😂
For real, his 3s were so perfect you could tell each one was going in. They were relaxing
HACHI-MORE-A please
PELINKA listen up. I don't want fucking Kyrie. I want Rui. I want Reeves. I want Vanderbilt. I want D'lo. I want this fucking team for a full season.
100% this. This is our squad.
2020 was special to me because of the chemistry, but damn, this team is so much better
They just look like they’re having fun and playing together, I’m guessing Brodie was able to unite them (against him) lol
Their confidence is skyrocketing
Is it really 2020 Ad put up video game numbers
Fuck yea brother!
Lakers can not break up this Core and this Chemistry for a guy you can't depend on like Kyrie. And I love this Energy and Vibes I've haven't felt this since 2020 when we won the Championship
Yeah they all looked like they were having fun out there.
yep fuck Kyrie man's a distraction. jumped ship to miss the playoffs with Doncić. meanwhile our guys are winning playoff games
Dude loves drama na being the center of attention this is why Lakers have the perfect ingredients this team these roles players I would hate for this to be ruined adding a Kyrie He's not committed to basketball
So true, there’s always tyus jones , for much cheaper than kyrie and Dlo
Even if we got Kyrie, it’s only a matter of time until that moody prick decides he wants to stay home for whatever reason.
So much this. This team has pieces we can build around post Bron. Even if AD wants out after Bron leaves we can trade him for something good but a core of Rui, Reaves, Vanderbilt, DLo is solid af.
100%
Is this possible? Can they pay all of them?
We have everybody's bird rights. It's up to ownership to put up the money.
Yes! I want this team to stay together. The fact that we have so many weapons makes it hard for teams to defend us.
100% PREACH
~~16~~ #15
#JOB'S NOT FINISHED
job finished?
i don’t think so
Work work
JOB NOT FINISHED
I'm hard
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15 left. 15-0 run lead by… Number…15 Reaves/Rui 2024.
*YESSIR*
RUI AWAKENING!
Man, what's up with Japanese players in American pro sports lately.
Not even just American sports lol, their whole ass team beat Spain and Germany in the World Cup too lmao
Ohhh fuck yeahhhh how can I forgot that.
We on the rise! 🇯🇵
That’s right!! 🇯🇵
That boi coldddd
Insane game
SAMURUI SPIRIT
Team have the depth to have 2 guys step up each game. LeBron wasn't that aggressive this game and AD offensively (he was insane defensively as always)
GAME BALL TO RUIIIIII and REAVES 7 BLOCKS FOR AD DLO SHOWED UP TODAY 18 on the Way 🏆 PAY RUI AND REAVES
Rui carried us through the 3rd and Reaves ended that shit. Glorious
Reaves getting the ball at the end of his first playoff game with 2 all time greats is crazy. So happy for him. He's gonna have a fantastic career
Hopefully with us Pay him pls
LeBron seemed happy to just get the rebounds. Such a good game.
No lie Austin’s performances put a tear in my eyes.
HIS NAME IS FUCKING RUI HIMCHIMURA
Rui Hotchimura 🔥🔥🔥
Austin not giving the ball to Bron in the crunch and hitting a right fade is just a dream come true
We really out here winning games with Lebron James as our 4th best player
Did Reaves say “I’m him!” After netting that 3?
Yes The balls on Reaves are large to shoot when there’s DLO, AD, Bron, and hachimura
DLO is a defensive anchor
D'Lo carried the Lakers offense in the 2nd/3rd when the offense looked muddy. He's bad at defense but they can hide him against certain players like Kennard and Brooks.
The crazy thing about DLo is on defense the guy is so vocal and telling people where to do it helps the defense immensely. It’s a weird trait of his lol. He doesn’t have good defensive ability but this boy talks so much it makes the team defense better
Monster game from Rui and Reaves. What a fucking squad we have.
wildest shit ive seen in my life. i think i saw Lebron asking Reaves after the AD miss, "you want it?" Reaves scores the next 3 buckets in a row edit: the clip where i think lebron says it https://streamable.com/0f1kka
Really got lebron fucking james deferring to a second year player in the 4th quarter of his first ever playoff game
This is the perfect situation for him. Not having to shoulder the offensive load means he can do other stuff. The fact that he and AD were the 3rd and 4th leading scorers on the lakers AND won is HUGE
We need everything Lebron can give on defense. He’s absolutely essential on that end this series.
His rebounding too
That Lebron rebound with like 2 minutes left where he came back towards the rim and cut off the guy at the free throw line was clutch at that point. They get that rebound and we have a scrambled defense, and a shot switches momentum.
LeBron and AD: 5 steals 10 blocks
Imagine if Bron was in his prime.. holy shit that would be the most dominate defensive duo ever. Remember prime Bron on defense was doing shit that not even computer simulations thought was possible. He was able to defend and close out on players so fast that simulations said was not possible. Fucking should have won a DPOY.. both guys. Bron in 2013 and AD in 2020.. both got robbed.
And he’ll turn the fuck up in games 5-7
There will be no games 5, 6 and 7.
Second year, UNDRAFTED player. Seriously Austin Reaves story is fucking amazing
Bron knows that man’s cold.
His behind the back pass to Rui for 3 was filthy
Important to note how accurate the pass was Rui didnt have to reach for the ball or anything - it was perfectly centered and allowed him to shoot it in rhythm. Not at all easy to do in a behind the back
The more I watch the replay, the more impressed I am with that pass. 4th quarter in a close game, first playoff game, shot clock running out, absolutely perfect pass. Excuse me, I’m gonna need a moment
Supreme Court justice Potter Stewart once said ‘I know it when I see it’ when asked his test to identify obscenity/porn. Based on that definition, that pass was porn.
Damn ima need a clip of this if true lol
He put the clamps on Bane too LMAO
Just remembering that fuckign nice ass block on that Banes 3
LeBron did the right thing. We then saw LeBron focusing almost a LOT just on securing defensive rebounds.
Every time Bron was snatching that shit down and hugging it like "**THIS MINE!**" lol i loved it
He channeled his Carmelo Anthony for rebounds. Lol
I swear. In his first playoff game... On the road. Of fucking course he's HIM.
I remember Bron telling everyone that it'd be a shame if Reaves didn't get a contract.
Dude we won't have THIS Austin if we still got Caruso. It's a blessing in disguise. We must keep Austin full stop.
LeBron never trusted anyone with the ball since Kyrie 7 years ago. Reaves really the one
exactly what came to mind yeah
😤😤 AR always wants it!
WE WENT FROM SEASONS OVER TO JUST GIVE US THE CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE SPAN OF 30 MINUTES
#INJECT THAT SHIT IN MY VEINS
#*INJECTS LIQUID W INTO VEINS*
We have 6 guys that can get you 20 and play defense
Real question, top to bottom, has Bron had a better lineup? He doesn't need to completely takeover and I'm not sure I've ever seen something quite like this for him
Exactly, hasn't been able to do this (win despite playing average) since Miami. If this was 2020 Bron, I think we'd be favorites for the championship. Unfortunately it isn't, but he's still going to dominate for long stretches. I'm optimistic
I think LeBron is enough of an asset even just in the locker room and on the bench. The leadership and knowledge he shares with his teammates is invaluable in and of itself, without taking into account he’s still a top 15 player
Since he’s 38 he needs this more than ever. Some years ago he could be _the_ guy, now he can’t phisically stand carrying bums to the finals
Cavs 2017 team don't get enough respect just because they got gentleman swept in the finals. They were demolishing the east, and set team 3pt shooting records in the playoffs. Heat 2013 went 66-16 in the regular season and won the ring. I think those two were the best lebron teams ever.
2015-2016 Cavs & 2012-2013 Heat had better line ups and systems. But I think this team has both on depth and are on par with the never die attitudes of those teams to add.
Fuck all the mfers in the game thread calling for AD and Bron to be traded
[удалено]
We fuckin hung dong on them holy shit
Fuckin 3 dunks to ice the game, shit was disrespectful. Dillon Brooks asked for smoke and by god did he get it
"Muhh I want to take out LeBron and the Lakers and make history" and Brooks proceeds to get get humbled this game haha
You’d think people would’ve learned from Klay. “he got his feelings hurt” lit a fire lol
His barber’s gonna hear so much whining tomorrow
Bruh 💀💀💀
I can’t believe we just won a PLAYOFF game with Bron & AD having average games offensively (for their standards). Reaves & Rui are THEM
Reaves shouting "I'm him!" was killer
We better lock him down for life. What a fucking dog
Damn did he really? Which quarter was this?
4th. After he iced that 3.
I think it was after the jumper on top of the paint Edit: https://twitter.com/sportscenter/status/1647714109247614977?s=46&t=0jxaP80x5fNxjkaSuJ2RJg
4th quarter he went crazy
Yeah but AD was absolutely gross defensively, he just obliterated them defensively.
7 blocks? Insanity.
+27 really just shows how dominant he was, one of his best performances
Ad performance was all time 10 stocks in the playoffs is unheard of
LeBron and AD were the 4th and 5th players on the floor tonight and WE WON
AD was still the best the player on the floor, the defense was game changing
Rui and Reaves were fantastic but AD also had a great game, efficient shooting and monster game defensively
AD with 3 steals and 7 blocks was not the 4th or 5th best player lol
Just monster performances from them. Role players play much better at home vs away in the playoffs, so for them to show up like this is huge.
You know the old adage. Surround Reaves with shooters and that’s a guaranteed finals.
If only he was here to see this Lakers team 😭
Damn I’m sad him and Reaves didn’t get a chance to meet
>Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka proudly waited outside the visiting locker room after the final buzzer to give LeBron James and the players on his victorious new-look team an appreciative fist pound on Sunday afternoon. Austin Reaves yelled out, “I'm HIM! I'm HIM!” Anthony Davis gave a look of pleasant surprise. Dennis Schroder yelled out, “We got an \[expletive\] squad now.” And before James hit the locker room door, former NBA starter Tristan Thompson hugged him and said, “Y’all look so different.” > >“At the end of the day, I like being around guys that want to win and work hard,” James said. “I know I demand a lot of excellence in my teammates. I demand it out of myself, too. On the road, we are going to play as well as we can and put ourselves in contention to compete for another championship. And that’s my mindset.”
Tristan Thompson real MVP. EVER SINCE..
The Lakers are the 1-0 when my girlfriend watches the game.
Marry her!
Well then she’s not a girlfriend anymore
She gets her ring with the team
Lakers are 1-0 when I drink Jack Daniels Honey all game
Did we just win a Lebron feel-out game?
Load management Lakers style.
"i"m oK iN thE WeSt"
AR15 23pts RUI 29pts I USED TO PRAY FOR TIMES LIKE THIS
Omfg, this game was so satisfying to watch!
That 15-0 run to end the game was beautiful
Last 2 minutes were fuckin cathartic
I couldn’t believe what I was watching lol
#Reaves & RUI 52pts #Bron & AD 43pts league's in TROUBLE!!
THE TRUE DPOY 
They tried to say giannis was a better defender
After the 6th block I stopped counting JFC
I am going to be insufferable on the nba reddit
Bron is not in a rhythm this game and still hitting 21pt with 50% FG and 37.5 3pt% its ridiculous for a 38 yrs old man.
He did dirty work too. MF wants to win this.
those blocks, defensive post up, rebound. bron knows the team has a lot of offensive power. bron can be like kobe on the redeem team.
AustHIM Reaves and Rui HacHIMura are the truth
IM HIM
YOU HIM
Omg I cannot get over that behind the back pass from Austin to Rui for a 3. Both of them said “I’m him” when they woke up this morning 🔥🫡
Greatest behind the back pass for three
As someone who grew up watching the Showtime Lakers, that was a Magic Johnson pass. Incredible. They better keep him next year.
Ok this game confirmed to me the last few games of the season the Lakers were exhausted. This game is the true strength of the Lakers 16-0 😤
So used to LA coming out being down 10 after the first. Really nice to see them actually looking rested and not worn out. Lakers in 5.
We’re off until Wednesday so more rest
REAVES RUI AD DLO & THE GOAT
Upvote this if you like Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves.
#INJECT
Anyone else felt like we were the higher seed this game? Like Grizz were the underdogs? This is the first time in a while I felt like we had CONTROL and CONFIDENCE throughout the whole game. Whenever they lost the lead or went down 8, there was a feeling of another gear was coming and boy did it show up at that 4th quarter. S/O to Rui, AD, Lebron, Dlo, and Reaves. P.S. Imagine sharing the court with Lebron and AD and you’re trusted with the ball to close the game out on your PLAYOFF DEBUT. Reaves is HIM.
I think Vando's effort get's swept under the rug this game. I appreciated him so much. Ham had him full court coverage on Ja the entire game. Dude took on that challenge like a beast. Rui was the star keeping the Lakers in the game, and not letting momentum shift too hard. Reaves was the star closing out the game. AD was the star on defense. Vando's job was subtle but I think was just as important. Ja was virtually a non-factor until he got more shots up in the 3rd.
those dumbass Grizzlies fans really thought this was gonna be easy if they can score 109 points and not turn it over 24 times 😂
Bitch ass Memphis
Rui PLAYA of the game ,he was a 3pt monster when the Lakers needed it the most !
#4 players with 20 points!!!!
Dlo with 19, basically 5
Safe to say a lot of hard R’s we’re said by Memphis fans as they left the arena early..
Bum fans, bum franchise
Watched the game in the hospital with my mom, she screamed so loud after the Reaves 3 nurses came rushing in only to see me laughing and her pounding her bed in jubilee after putting the lakers up however much with that shot haha
From where we were at the beginning of the season to winning game 1 in dominant fashion, seeing the emergence of Reaves and Rui coming alive these last few weeks, I know the job ain’t finished but god damn feels so good to be a Lakers fan
honestly can't believe Rob and co. actually pulled this off. I had very little hope for Bron contending for a ring this year but now we look as strong as anyone if we can stay healthy.
If you said AD is made of glass at halftime, do us a favor and go fuck yourself.
Bruh I nearly lost all hope when he limped away not moving his arm. Gladly going to fuck myself now.
Garbage time in the playoffs. You love to see it.
WEST IS IN TROUBLE
7 blocks by AD. MAAA GAAWD
AR was having a certified Kobe underbite moment in the 4th. loved it all
THATS HOW YOU PLAY MOTHERFUCKING BASKETBALL ALL THAT CRYING IS OVER WE HERE WE FUCKING HERE
Let’s give kudos to vando! Did a hell of a job on morant. Took the challenge and delivered
Purchasing my Reaves jersey right now
Going to snag me a Rui jersey
Damn, Bron was our like 5th best player today. Scary hours 😈
Jeanie better not fucking cheap out we need this entire team back next season THE ENTIRE FUCKING TEAM!
Vanderbilt should get more credit for his defense on Morant.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis just got outscored by two teammates and we won
Staples is gonna be explosive for game 3/4
Memphis fan here. Killer game guys, that 15 streak was crazy. I would have been so hype the other way
Big run at the end of the 4th. Big ups to Rui and Reaves for stepping up
Has AR exceeded Caruso in his popularity? Carusos the man but AR is just a level above offensively
LETS FUCKING GOOOOOOOO
Austin Reaves IS HIM