LOS ANGELES – Early in the season, during one of his initial media sessions as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, Marcus Smart articulated a mantra he follows: “the toughest team sets the rules.” This saying emphasizes that the more physical team dictates the flow of the game. While the Lakers have struggled at times to embody this philosophy, Rui Hachimura believes they are making strides in recent matchups.
The Lakers showcased their resilience with decisive back-to-back victories against the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings. Key to their success in these games was the team’s ability to establish their physicality from the very beginning, engaging in robust defense, pursuing loose balls, and dominating the boards—elements of the game that often go unnoticed in the stat sheet.
Reflecting on the performance against the Kings, Hachimura stated, “I think when we did that today in the game, [against the Warriors], I think we set the tone. That’s why we were able to control the whole game. So I think that kind of stuff, we have to keep doing it. Sometimes we kind of do it and then we stop doing it. So we just have to keep doing it. We have to make those plays and those small things. We have to keep building.”
Hachimura rejoined the Lakers on the court after a brief two-game hiatus due to illness, contributing eight points, including two 3-pointers, over 22 minutes. Since before his injury in mid-January, he has averaged 11.7 points, 3.4 rebounds per game, showcasing shooting splits of 50.1 percent from the field, 44.1 percent from beyond the arc, and 74.5 percent from the free-throw line.
A cornerstone of the Lakers’ toughness and defensive strength is Smart, who plays a crucial role in setting the tone on defense. His impactful presence in the starting lineup has been instrumental, a decision highlighted by head coach JJ Redick after the victory against the Kings.
“I told the team after, I thought Smart’s defense… just totally ignited us at different points in the game,” Redick praised. “He ended up with five steals, but he’s diving on the floor for loose balls. He’s starting transition plays for us. He gets switched onto the five, completely stands him up… he was another igniter for us.”
As the Lakers build on their recent success grounded in physicality, the combination of Smart’s leadership and Hachimura’s timely contributions promises to bolster their performance in the games ahead. With their focus on toughness and maintaining momentum, the team is poised for a stronger finish to the season.