ES_RAKUTEN_OFFPLATv2.jpg

Rui Hachimura fans furious over ‘spoiled’ Lakers debut as major streaming network NBA Rakuten ‘crashes’ in Japan

RUI Hachimura fans are furious after his Los Angeles Lakers debut was spoiled by a major outage affecting the NBA Rakuten streaming service.

Hachimura, 24, became the first Japanese-born player in Lakers history after coming off the bench in Wednesday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs.

Rui Hachimura's Los Angeles Lakers debut has been 'spoiled' by the crash of the streaming platform Rakuten that broadcasts NBA games in Japan

4

Rui Hachimura’s Los Angeles Lakers debut has been ‘spoiled’ by the crash of the streaming platform Rakuten that broadcasts NBA games in JapanCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Lakers traded for Hachimura earlier this week, sending Kendrick Nunn and three second-round draft picks in return

4

The Lakers traded for Hachimura earlier this week, sending Kendrick Nunn and three second-round draft picks in returnCredit: Reuters – USA Today Sports
Rakuten has been the NBA's exclusive live-game distribution partner since 2017

4

Rakuten has been the NBA’s exclusive live-game distribution partner since 2017Credit: Getty
NBA Rakuten showed this message upon entering the platform's main page, asking fans to watch the game on YouTube

4

NBA Rakuten showed this message upon entering the platform’s main page, asking fans to watch the game on YouTubeCredit: NBA Rakuten

The Lakers acquired Hachimura in a trade with the Washington Wizards earlier this week.

LA sent Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks to bring in the 6′ 8” forward.

Hachimura missed the Lakers’ loss to the LA Clippers on Tuesday.

But he made his debut for the Purple and Gold the following day, checking in with four minutes and 22 seconds left in the first quarter of the matchup with the Spurs.

NBA star looks like 'GTA character' before game and fans troll 'outrageous' look
Fans laud delivery driver's 'elite service' after he disrupts hoops game

Hachimura had a strong game, ending up with 12 points and six rebounds and shooting 57.1% from the field to help the Lakers beat San Antonio 113-104.

But around the time of tip-off, NBA fans from Japan took to Twitter to complain they couldn’t watch their countryman in play because of NBA Rakuten’s crash.

Rakuten has been the league’s exclusive live-game distribution partner since 2017.

One fan wrote: “The only way to watch NBA in Japan is through NBA Rakuten and with the Rui Hachimura’s debut game coming up between the Lakers and Spurs, the site has crashed… so possibly no way to catch the game live here in Japan at this moment.”

Another person tweeted: “NBA Rakuten app crashed in Japan because of Rui Hachimura’s debut for the Lakers.”

And a third said: “There are many games to come, but there were many fans that really wanted to watch Rui coming onto the floor for the first time wearing purple & gold. No clear explanation from Rakuten yet, very disappointing.”

Lakers sideline reporter Mike Trudell confirmed the news during the game.

The Wizards drafted Hachimura out of Gonzaga with the No. 9 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

He made history, becoming the first-ever Japanese player to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft.

Hachimura made the All-Rookie Second Team in his debut NBA season.

The forward averaged 13.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while shooting 47.9% from the field and 35.6% for 3 in 177 games for Washington.

The U.S. Sun contacted Rakuten for comment on the outage.




Source link

Tags: No tags

Leave A Comment