Rui Hachimura says Lakers are ‘getting better’ as season goes

The Lakers have had plenty of highs and lows during the first weeks of NBA action, but Rui Hachimura sees the team heading in the right direction.

Sitting with an 8-6 record, the Lakers have had some phenomenal highs, like their franchise-tying three-point shooting night versus the Grizzlies, and equally low lows such as their abysmal performance against the Sacramento Kings.

Contextualizing these first 14 games is difficult, but Rui Hachimura feels the Lakers are heading in the right direction.

“As you saw last year in the playoffs, we made a big run and most of those main guys came back,” Hachimura said following the Rockets matchup. “We’re still building chemistry. We’re still trying to figure it out. We added a couple new guys and we have a different lineup every day and a different rotation so we’re still trying to figure it out. I think we’re getting better. I can feel that. Our chemistry is getting stronger every day. We just have to keep going.”

Continuity has been a struggle for Los Angeles with key players missing through injury. Jarred Vanderbilt has yet to touch the floor after dealing with a left heel bursitis injury and Gabe Vincent has missed significant time with left knee effusion.

Add to those significant injuries that Anthony Davis is dealing with a hip spasm and LeBron James’ left calf contusion and a picture is quickly painted of a Lakers team that was struggling to stay afloat at times. It also doesn’t help that players who have been available such as Hachimura and Austin Reaves have struggled to consistently play well in their roles.

Despite these setbacks, L.A. has managed to win two games in a row and five of their last six. If they can get closer to a fully healthy lineup, they can blend the continuity they have from the players they brought back with the newest additions to go on a championship run potentially.

All teams deal with injuries, players have shooting slumps and tough parts of the schedule. Despite the season still being in its first quarter, the Lakers have already dealt with all three.

For now, the Lakers have to continue treading water with who is available and given how deep the roster is, it’s feasible for L.A. to keep winning while figuring out what the best version of themselves looks like.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.