Do we buy the Rui Hachimura hype coming from the Wizards?

Have you heard? Someone has looked really good this summer. He’s going to surprise some players, they say. He may even win a spot in the starting lineup. This is going to be the year of Rui Hachimura.

What does that mean, exactly?

Since the Washington Wizards spent the summer training together in L.A., there has been a lot of talk of team chemistry and cohesion. These guys like each other. They share a singular mission. There’s a natural fit on the court. Also, Rui Hachimura looks really good.

Bradley Beal recently appeared on on J.J. Reddick’s The Old Man and the Three podcast and said “Rui looks really good. He’s going to surprise some people.”

Corey Kispert, as tweeted by Josh Robbins, said Hachimura looks “Really good. He’s strong. He’s fast.”

Quinton Mayo reported in his substack that sources from that Los Angeles minicamp said Hachimura “displayed the biggest leap” of the group.

Then there was the two preseason games the Washington Wizards played in Japan, where Hachimura took an opportunity for more playing time and made the most of it. He averaged 12 points and 9.5 rebounds in about 25 minutes of play. He was more aggressive than usual, despite it only being preseason, as seen when he pokes the ball away from Steph Curry and dives to secure the possession.

Hachimura also crashed the boards regularly, and on numerous occasions, swiped a rebound from Wizards center Kristaps Porzingis.

If the hype is to be believed, what does this mean not only for the Coach Unseld’s rotations, but for the Wizards potential starting lineup?

Because of his prolonged absence for personal reasons last season, Hachimura lost his job as the starting power forward to Kyle Kuzma, and when he did return, defensive flaws kept him from beating out the likes of Caldwell-Pope, Deni Avdija, and rookie Corey Kispert for the other wing/forward spot.

His shooting however, improved significantly, and if the hype of this offseason is to be believed, could Hachimura fight his way back into the starting lineup?

It’s no secret the Wizards are dealing with a bit of a logjam at forward and given Kyle Kuzma’s play and size, there’s no reason to think he’ll be moved – but it’s interesting to note that when Hachimura and Kuzma shared the floor together in Japan, Kuzma primarily played the small forward position.

Consensus among basketball folks seem to agree that the Washington Wizards starting lineup on October 19th will look something like:

PG: Monte Morris

SG: Bradley Beal

SF: Will Barton

PF: Kyle Kuzma

C: Kristaps Porzingis

However, given all the Rui Hachimura propaganda and what we saw in Japan, could something different and unexpected. Could the starting lineup actually look something like:

PG: Monte Morris

SG: Bradley Beal

SF: Kyle Kuzma

PF: Rui Hachimura

C: Kristaps Porzingis

It would certainly give the team an offensive edge, but it all depends on how much we buy Hachimura’s leap this year. The defensive questions won’t be answered until we see live, regular season basketball. Morris is a smaller guard. Beal isn’t known to be a ball stopper. If Hachimura’s defense hasn’t improved, this lineup could be run off the floor pretty quickly.

It will all come down to what’s real and what’s sustainable. It’s up to players to force a coach’s hand, to make the decision for him with their play. Balance in a lineup matters, but in the NBA, talent and production win-out.

Hachimura can score from anywhere. He has the size and physical tools to be a force on both ends of the court, but success isn’t just about skill. It’s about will and competitive stamina.

It seems long ago that Hachimura did this to Anthony Davis.

That was a flash. Will it become the norm?

There are less than two weeks left before the Washington Wizards opening tip-off against the Indiana Pacers. They play one more preseason game in Charlotte on October 10th. Will this be the year of Rui Hachimura?

We’re about to find out.