In this news:
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 26: The Los Angeles Lakers celebrate with LeBron James #23 after a ... More buzzer-beating tip-in to defeat the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 26, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Getty Images
With the NBA Playoffs set to begin, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in a position few expected just months ago: the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. This is a stark contrast to previous seasons when they had to fight through the Play-In Tournament just to stay afloat. This year, they enter the postseason with momentum, and not just because of their star players.
A blockbuster trade deadline move that paired LeBron James with Luka Dončić, a five-time All-NBA First Team selection, raised eyebrows across the league. However, with a 50–32 record, only their second 50-win season since James joined in 2018—it’s clear that the gamble has paid off. While the superstar duo will dominate the headlines, the real backbone of the Lakers’ identity lies in their global supporting cast, particularly Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent. In conversations with and select international media, Hachimura and Vincent shared what it means to represent more than just a jersey—and how culture, maturity, and perspective are shaping the Lakers’ playoff identity.
Their presence represents more than just statistical production; it reflects the cultural pride, resilience, and international perspective that define this year’s Lakers as one of the most globally representative teams in the league.
Rui Hachimura: From Slam Dunk to Arena
Japan's #08 Rui Hachimura takes a free throw in the men's preliminary round group B basketball match ... More between Germany and Japan during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, northern France, on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Sameer Al-Doumy / AFP) (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
Rui Hachimura’s basketball journey began in an unconventional place: the pages of ‘Slam Dunk’, the iconic anime that captured the heart of Japan’s basketball culture. “It’s literally the biggest,” Hachimura said. “Even among all the cartoons and anime, 'Slam Dunk’ is one of the most significant in Japan. If you play basketball, you kind of watch it or read it like manga.”
.png)
