It's not just Kobe and Pau getting some dap
(UPDATE: Talk about your fantastic timing. I just got an e-mail from the Lakers media relations department. Sun Yue is now officially under contract. It's a "multi-year" deal, which I'm guessing means "a pair of years." More details as they come, but that news was awfully convenient in arrival).
Laker-to-be (presumably, if nothing else) Sun Yue also garnered himself some praise for his work during the recent Olympic tourney. The guard led all Chinese players with 2.3 dimes per contest while chipping 8.1 ppg, stats that combined with the kid's handle, size and general versatility to help create some buzz about his NBA prospects. Chris Paul--certainly a reputable source for point guard praise--liked what he saw. Yue also earned admiring words from a certain future teammate, one who's seal of approval is always a plus.
"I think he's very talented, actually," said (Kobe) Bryant. "I was very impressed by him. I think he has great size, great length, good shooting touch, good ball handler, good vision, good pace. I was surprised at his size right off the top. He was able to handle the ball. I tried to test him a little bit, see if he could go left, go right, that sort of thing. So I like him."
Like a lot of Lakers fans, I'm curious to see more of Yue up close and
personal (the bits I caught with the Chinese team included promising flashes, but nothing mind blowing, either). Assuming he's
actually signed- terms may have been agreed upon, but nothing is certain until the ink hits the paper- I'm
figuring his rookie season to be more about potential than production.
Between presumed starter Derek Fisher, presumed backup Jordan Farmar,
plus the triangle's fluidity- which often leads to guys like Kobe,
Lamar Odom, even Luke Walton (in a pinch) running the offense- the lead
guard "role" isn't exactly hurting for bodies. Sasha Vujacic is also set for some plentiful minutes backing up the 2 spot (I'll go
out on a limb and declare Kobe's starting gig as 100% secure). So
unless Kobe spends a decent chunk of time at the three, certainly a possibility, there's not much spare
backcourt PT in general to go around. And despite his height, I'm not positive Yue has the muscle to play small forward, and with the log jam the Lakers have there, it would be hard for him to make a dent, anyway. Throw in the fact any language issues, just one of many situations that could make necessitate an adjustment period stateside and in the NBA, the odds of Yue making a quick splash strike me as low.
But again, if he doesn't play a ton, that's still fine. I don't expect him to, nor do I consider a plethora of DNP-CD's a "disappointment." It's about the potential, and what he does do during his scattered moments on the court. How he fares if Phil Jackson offers him a gut check opportunity during a meaningful moment of a game. Andrew Bynum and Coby Karl were put in these situations. It's not out of the question Yue could get tossed into similar spots, moments that can be used to evaluate what Yue might bring to the table down the road.
If the road is shorter than I'm anticipating, hey, so be it. I'd be more than happy to have misjudged this and see Yue contributing in a key role right away. I'm simply keeping my expectations mild. And despite the solid showing overseas, I would advise Lakers fans to do the same.
AK
Sun Yue will hardly be an impact player in the NBA - and of course kobee will praise him, he has to. Wait until it's off the record though, and you'll hear more criticism along the lines of what kobee said about byenumb last summer.
Of course, we SUNS fans like the fact that the lakers are part SUN now.
Posted by: BUTLER | August 25, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Goran Dragic is the SUNS' international pickup, a PG from Slovenia who the SUNS would have picked in the first round if Robin Lopez was unavailable.
Goran is like Ricky Rubio but with more experience and dunking ability.
Posted by: BUTLER | August 25, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Well, let's hope he's this talented. I'm still skeptical, but if he can truly help the Lakers improve then I'm all for The Rising Sun.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 25, 2008 at 12:31 PM
I think the language barrier will be the biggest hurdle for Yue. I'm sure he will be overwhelmed by the overall talent level and quickness of the NBA game also. I'm not expecting much from the kid this year.
Posted by: MOLaker | August 25, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Needs to lift weights 2 hours a day.
"Goran is like Ricky Rubio but with more experience and dunking ability." HAHAHAHAAHA -- that's a good one.
Hey, I heard that Shaq gained 20 pounds this off season. That's awsome. Shaq is like Kareem but much fatter and with less skill.
Posted by: HmrHed | August 25, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Nash is like Magic but shorter, with less talent, and with no rings.
Posted by: HmrHed | August 25, 2008 at 01:08 PM
Garbage time should be up this year, so he may get more run than usual.
His biggest impact will be a billion new Chinese Laker fans.
Posted by: Vman | August 25, 2008 at 01:09 PM
Amare is like Duncan but with less smarts and no defense.
Posted by: HmrHed | August 25, 2008 at 01:10 PM
Most likely he will not turn into an impact player, but there is no real downside to signing him. At this point (because his talent level is still effectively unknown) his potential is higher than just about anyone else that was available. Of course, his floor is also lower than others who were available, but with this roster it is not a great loss if he doesn't pan out.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 25, 2008 at 01:14 PM
AK,
Great to have a Sun Yue thread. I am still amazed at the many Lakers fans who are so down on Sun. He will prove to be a steal as a second round pick. He is a more promising prospect and will have a more successful NBA career than Javaris Crittenton, a big blog favorite that many Lakers fans thought would be better than Jordan Farmar but who can’t even break into the lineup in Memphis. Sun Yue has a chance to be the perfect point guard for the Triangle Offense with his size and length. Once he gets into training camp, he will have an opportunity to show what he can do without all of the restrictions that held him back on the Chinese team. Mitch will once again be proven to be right. A great pick with tremendous upside and no real downside.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 25, 2008 at 01:18 PM
Just as Kareem was to Andrew, S owill Magic be to the "Chinese Magic".
If EMJ spends some time with this kid then I think he'll do well.
Posted by: steven | August 25, 2008 at 01:24 PM
HEY TOM!
Your incessant positivity is driving me bonkers!
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | August 25, 2008 at 01:30 PM
Laker Tom,
"Great to have a Sun Yue thread. I am still amazed at the many Lakers fans who are so down on Sun. He will prove to be a steal as a second round pick. He is a more promising prospect and will have a more successful NBA career than Javaris Crittenton, a big blog favorite that many Lakers fans thought would be better than Jordan Farmar but who can’t even break into the lineup in Memphis."
I can appreciate the enthusiasm for Yue, but your description of Critteton's time in Memphis isn't accurate at all. He averaged 18 mpg there and averaged numbers comparable to Jordan this year (and arguably better than Farmar's rookie stats).
http://tinyurl.com/5wl44c (Crittenton)
http://tinyurl.com/5hnoho (Farmar)
Obviously, the numbers don't tell everything and it's different playing for bad team vs. a good, but it's still clear Crittenton's rookie season wasn't nothing along the lines of the bust you're talking up. Just wanted to clarify, for the sake of accuracy.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 25, 2008 at 01:33 PM
Hmr Head:
Are we playing NBA player math? If so, awesome. He's my entry:
Shaq + levitating barge + Princess Leia in metal bikini = Jabba the Hutt
Magic + Shrinky Dink technology - business acumen = Isaiah Thomas
Celtics /\ JK Rowling = Death Eaters
Posted by: The D | August 25, 2008 at 02:15 PM
The D
"Shaq + levitating barge + Princess Leia in metal bikini = Jabba the Hutt"
Sorry, Jabba hit his freebies. hahahahaha
Posted by: HmrHed | August 25, 2008 at 02:22 PM
Sun has played in Los Angeles in the ABA for the last 2 years, so he already knows the city and speaks decent enough english so he should be fine in that regard.
How he develops as a player remains to be seen, but between him and Kobe, the Lakers will have China on lock.
Posted by: Dark Gable | August 25, 2008 at 02:23 PM
The D,
(Titles of all the other coaches in the league put together) -2 = Phil Jackson's total.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 25, 2008 at 02:26 PM
I've got the highlight reels of Sun Yue cut together. I just
need to re-encode them and upload them, which I'll do tonight.
I threw in some lowlights so you don't get the idea he's some
superstar. He's not. He shows a few flashes of brilliance here
and there and flashes of youthful mistakes in other places.
I'm hoping when I resize down, I can get it down to reasonable
size (it's over a GB right now) without having to scale it
down to 320x240, since that one I uploaded to youtube
was basically unviewable.
I think when you watch the highlights, you'll see that he
is capable of being a 3rd string NBA pg/sg already and has
the potential to get much better.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 25, 2008 at 02:27 PM
>>>Of course, we SUNS fans like the fact that the lakers
>>>are part SUN now.
Yeah, enjoy that, BUTLER. Cuz Sun Yue is the only Sun
likely to see the NBA finals any time soon.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 25, 2008 at 02:36 PM
AK,
Well, that’s what happens when you sneak quick posts in while you are at work and don’t have time to check the stats. Thanks for correcting me about Crittenton, although I never shared the fervor that others on the blog had for the guy. Too cocky and inconsistent for me!
At any rate, I predict Sun Yue will have a better NBA career than Crittenton, who will not be as productive a player as Jordan Farmar in the end. Crittenton will end up being a so-so player who never earns the full MLE. To my eye, Sun Yue has far greater potential than Javaris, who I think was overrated.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 25, 2008 at 02:36 PM
>>>I think the language barrier will be the biggest hurdle for Yue.
NOT.
He lived in LA for two years.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 25, 2008 at 02:36 PM
HmrHed,
>>>Needs to lift weights 2 hours a day.
Undoubtedly.
>>>Hey, I heard that Shaq gained 20 pounds this off
>>>season. That's awsome. Shaq is like Kareem but much
>>>fatter and with less skill.
HUGE LOL!
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 25, 2008 at 02:37 PM
ah, new thread... enough of the guitarists, eh?
I liked what I saw from Sun Yue. One thing that stood out though was strength. I just don't think he will have the stamina to play more than 10 minutes/game on a consistent basis. Therefore, I see Phil using him early in the season, perhaps putting Yue in, in an "impact" type situation and so on but around the allstar break, you might as well put a fork in him because his legs will be gone.
I don't understand why guys play their first season in the NBA and THEN figure out they need to work out in the offseason to get stronger. Doesn't anybody tell these guys anything? I don't get it... but I'm guessing Yue will follow along the same path so the next year he will be strong enough to give us 15-20 minutes a game IF he progresses enough to deserve those minutes.
He's got an interesting skill set and working with Magic wouldn't hurt anybody though I doubt Magic pulls a Kareem and becomes a "Special Assistant" though I'd love to see it.
So that's 14 roster spots gone. What do we need Coby Karl for?
Posted by: Charlton Heston, sitting in the cockpit, smoking a cigar - IN SPACE | August 25, 2008 at 02:44 PM
AK,
Well, sometimes you take somebody’s word and sometimes you check yourself.
Crittenton played poorly for Memphis and not at all comparable to Farmar. He shot just 40% from the field and 26% from 3-point range in Memphis versus Farmar’s 46% from the field and 37% from 3-point range. He also had a terrible 1 to 1 assists-to-turnover ratio compared to Farmar’s 2 to 1 ratio. That sure doesn’t smell like comparable to me. Sounds like another blogger overrating the guy.
But maybe he hit a rookie wall. We’ll see how well he does next year. If he is still around! Guess he was also an AK favorite. Sun Yue will outshine this guy for sure.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 25, 2008 at 02:48 PM
I'm kind of glad the Olympics are over. Now its Laker bball 24/7. Only a month until training camp starts. While Sun Yue talk is fun now, he won't be anything for a few more years, if at all. While rookies are always "exciting" due to potential, Andrew Bynum is what I want to be talking about going in to training camp. We have the chance to be a special team for the ages.
I'm also very curious how Lamar will play next year. Will he show some consistency and play at last years level or will he continue to have a great game followed by a not so great one?
Can't wait until training camp. Should be the start to a great season.
Lamar = Laker for Life
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | August 25, 2008 at 02:58 PM
Charlton Heston, sitting in the cockpit, smoking a cigar - IN SPACE,
"So that's 14 roster spots gone. What do we need Coby Karl for?"
Dude, we need him for two-handed behind the back dunks during garbage time and to discombobulate Denver's coaching staff when we play them.
For an astronaut, you sure don't think things out.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 25, 2008 at 03:02 PM
Undoubtedly,
Where did you hear that Shaq gained 20 pounds in the offseason? Where?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 25, 2008 at 03:03 PM
>>>It's a "multi-year" deal, which I'm guessing means "a
>>>pair of years."
Or could mean 3 years. Note that they signed Ronny for 3
years. The advantage to that is that you get full Bird rights
at the end of the contract. Also, you get a player for cheap for
3 years.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 25, 2008 at 03:03 PM
Laker Tom,
"Well, sometimes you take somebody’s word and sometimes you check yourself. Crittenton played poorly for Memphis and not at all comparable to Farmar. He shot just 40% from the field and 26% from 3-point range in Memphis versus Farmar’s 46% from the field and 37% from 3-point range. He also had a terrible 1 to 1 assists-to-turnover ratio compared to Farmar’s 2 to 1 ratio. That sure doesn’t smell like comparable to me. Sounds like another blogger overrating the guy."
Well, I imagine it doesn't sound comparable if you only selectively compare him to Jordan's second season. If you take into account how much more experience Farmar had in his second year than Crittenton in the first, I think the numbers are comparable (remember, I didn't say "better"). And if you actually bring Farmar's rookie year into the conversation (which you glossed over), like I said, Crittenton's numbers are arguably better. He's not as good a playmaker or outside shooter as JF was, but he's a better rebounder and probably more of a natural scorer. They're the same at the line.
And respectfully, are you really going to accuse me of "overrating" a player when you were the one calling Jordan Farmar "the heir to Magic Johnson" before he'd even played SPL ball (much less done anything remotely worthy of Magic comparisons)? I mean, c'mon now. I love your constant optimism, but this sounds very reminiscent of your talk with a rookie Farmar. Let Yue actually do something before saying he's already better than "so and so."
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 25, 2008 at 03:08 PM
It looks like The Rising Sun will be aroun for a while.
http://tinyurl.com/6qw2pj
I didn't know he had a 12 point, 14 rebound, 12 assist, 8 block, 4 steal game.
Not bad. I guess.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 25, 2008 at 03:11 PM
While the lakers are hoping a chinese league player becomes the next Doug Christie, the SUNS have just gotten deeper at the PG position.
Combo guard DJ Strawberry has been traded to HOU for Sean Singletary, a PG from UVA who is touted as the next Chris Paul. He's got the complete package for a PG and along with Goran Dragic and Steve "Best PG in NBA History" Gnash, the SUNS now have the best trio of PGs in the NBA!
Posted by: BUTLER | August 25, 2008 at 03:13 PM
LTLF,
"Or could mean 3 years. Note that they signed Ronny for 3 years. The advantage to that is that you get full Bird rights at the end of the contract. Also, you get a player for cheap for 3 years."
All true. It could very well be three years. Like I said, I honestly don't know, but two was the number that first popped into my head.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 25, 2008 at 03:14 PM
Jon K:
"Where did you hear that Shaq gained 20 pounds in the offseason? Where?"
I heard it from the international space station. They were complaining about a medium-sized disturbance in the earth's gravitational field.
Posted by: The D | August 25, 2008 at 03:23 PM
My 2 cents in the Critt vs Farmar vs Yue argument.
While I don't think either will be a star, Farmar will go on to have the only positive career in the NBA.
Farmar will be a Dfish type who contributes night in and night out for the Lakers but never has an amazing game but who will occasionally dazzle with some good 3 point shooting and some awesome passing. He will be a solid pg for the Lakers in the future. The triangle doesn't really ask for a dominant pg.
Critt reminds me of Sebastian Telfair but more scoring minded. He has all the potential in the world but he just doesn't strike me as a winner. He is WAY too turnover prone and will have a very inconsistent career. He, unlike Farmar, will have a few great games due to his knack for scoring. In the end, he will just won't amount to anything and will end up being a back up pg for the rest of his career.
Sun Yue is intriguing but thats about it. He's a tall pg and thats cool but I just don't see him having an impact on a winning team like the Lakers. Lakers have a lot bigger things to worry about that developing a pg, and that goes for the length of his contract. The Lakers are looking to have a new dynasty and as long as the team is winning, Yue is next to Coby on the bench. In the end, Yue may end up getting burn for some other team, just not the Lakers.
Lamar = Laker for Life
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | August 25, 2008 at 03:23 PM
"Steve "Best PG in NBA History" Gnash"
Funniest thing I've read all day.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | August 25, 2008 at 03:25 PM
BUTLER's nickname on Az Central is actually Grand Canyon. They must've made him change it again
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | August 25, 2008 at 03:30 PM
The D,
Alright. Of course. Totally makes sense.
Laker Nation,
Regarding the Farmar versus The Critter versus The Rising Sun argument...
I honestly don't think that anyone has enough information to make a strong argument either way.
Farmar has the most logical support because he's a hard worker, is competitive, and showed a lot of improvement over last year (thus establishing momentum), but still it's not a lot of information to make a strong argument in favor of his LONG-TERM future.
The Critter got traded in the middle of his freshman year.
The Rising Sun has been playing in the ABA and in China.
The two of them remain big unknowns with a lot of potential. Potential and a couple of quarters will give you 50 cents in a logical argument.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 25, 2008 at 03:36 PM
My goodness!...AK you actually remember what a specific blogger said about a rookie point guard nearly two years ago?? thats crazy impressive!
Im going to test you now...what was Mike T's feelings about Kwame Brown on the fifth of Febuary 2006...no peeking in the archives now!
Posted by: Kiwi | August 25, 2008 at 03:41 PM
AK,
>>>>>Well, I imagine it doesn't sound comparable if you only selectively compare
>>>>>him to Jordan's second season.
Well, that’s the criteria you stated in your first response, that Crittenton’s play with Memphis was comparable to Jordan’s second year. And it wasn’t. Aside from comparing a guy’s rookie year with another’s second year, which is not really fair, I was just giving you a hard time. I don’t even remember if you were high on Crittenton or not. As for being overenthusiastic, I stand guilty as charged. LOL! As for Sun Yue being this year’s version of Jordan Farmar for me, you are absolutely right. But hyperbole aside, there is only one Magic Johnson and I have said many times that he is the G.O.A.T. I may have said Jordan reminds me of Magic or that Sun has some of the physical assets that Magic had, but there will never be another Magic.
Anyway, I thought your comments on Sun’s potential were excellent. Little risk with chance of big reward! Plus it should boost sales of Lakers merchandise in China greatly. If Sun turns out to be a player, he will take over jersey sales from Yao. Only Kobe will be above him. LOL!
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 25, 2008 at 03:42 PM
LakerTom,
Thanks for the rules on age for foreign players.
With regards to J-Critt vs. Farmar, this is the reason why I don't like to rely on stats b/c the parameters are different as well as the environment when figures of numbers are J-Critt in Memphis and Jordan w/ the Lakers. The fairest way to compare is when both of them played as Lakers. Another problem was that Farmar plays in every game at the start of last season while J-Critt was sittting on the bench, never able to warm up & lost his self confidence at the bench. A good basis of comparison when they played together at the Summer League last year.
I like PJ as a Coach and his basketball wisdom during the game. I just question his judgement of discriminating rookies and his rotations. Every Coach have their own style of coaching. This time we have two rookies with excellent resume as a baller, Sun Yue as an Olympian better than Walton and Farmar tho' the latter have NBA experiences; Dwayne Mitchell, an impressive player who looks like Ariza. Will these two players play before garbage time under Phil Jackson? Bluntly, NO. Let me make it clear before the PJ deciples put up an apostolic gospel, no hating on PJ just questions: why play scrubs when there are qualified rookies on the bench? I believe even Josh Powell and Coby Karl who are considered experienced will have limited minutes too b/c they're considered rookies on triangle? PJ will play again Fisher and Kobe long minutes, then interloping w/ his favories Vlad and Luke for long minutes.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 25, 2008 at 03:43 PM
LakerNation:
Is Kobe getting his "pinky" surgery now? Or is your guy going to milk the "injury" (wink, wink) next season too?
What the hay, it got him enough "feel sorry for me" votes to win the MVP.
hahahaahaahah
Posted by: Let's go C's! | August 25, 2008 at 03:45 PM
Remember Mike Singletary of the Bears? That's his boy who just joined the SUNS.
The West just tipped further toward AZ.
The lakers will have their hands full with Portland, let alone SHACK and PORTER!
Posted by: BUTLER | August 25, 2008 at 03:49 PM
I just ran Sun Yue's Bio-Chrono reading...
It's OKAY.
A lot of upside, but some physical and emotional issues to deal with that could affect his decision-making, not unlike Lamar Odom in a way.
Also, he's going to have to be made to feel VERY comfortable in his team environment to bring out his best. Because of the cultural differences, that could be a challenge.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 25, 2008 at 03:54 PM
Will not hurt
Sell more Chinese Tickets
Have no choice
(in terms of going out there and outright signing someone else lol).
Posted by: Faith | August 25, 2008 at 03:55 PM
Keep 'em coming Grand Canyon/BUTLER/Let's Go Cs.
I can't stop laughing!
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | August 25, 2008 at 04:00 PM
Laker Tom,
"Well, that’s the criteria you stated in your first response, that Crittenton’s play with Memphis was comparable to Jordan’s second year. And it wasn’t. Aside from comparing a guy’s rookie year with another’s second year, which is not really fair, I was just giving you a hard time. I don’t even remember if you were high on Crittenton or not."
I guess it depends on how you define "high on Crittenton." If you mean declaring him the next CP3, then no, I wasn't. If you mean thinking he'll be a good player, then yeah, I guess I am. Aside from just the flashes he's shown, he's a very good athlete with a solid attitude and work ethic. I'm not sure where you got that Crittenton's cocky, but he struck me as anything but. Especially compared to Farmar, who was (and remains) fairly cocky. I don't mean that as a slam on Farmar, because he backs that confidence with gym rat mentality. But it's interesting to me that you'd see JC that way and not JF.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 25, 2008 at 04:08 PM
PIg,
Can you give me a link (of course with tiny url) to the Funs blog that our little pal Buttler is on. My compadres and I want to give him a little taste of his own you know what.
Thanks in advance
Posted by: fighting the good fight | August 25, 2008 at 04:17 PM
SHACK and PORTER!? LOL!
There's a winning combo if I've ever heard one. Mr. "I don't want nobody coaching me unless it's a HOF coach, who I'll end up stabbing in the back anyway when I'm fat and need someone to blame" O'Neal is going to be a perfect pair with Porter, he of the .433 career winning percentage. Good one.
Posted by: puddle | August 25, 2008 at 04:17 PM
Faith,
I think that is enough motivation for PJ to go with Sun Yue, it's business. There are 300 million hoopsters out there who want to know how their player is doing in America. Out of 300 million, pehaps only 300,000 can afford cable TV. Will they see him only during garbage time?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 25, 2008 at 04:18 PM
Lets go (away) c's
Dont be coming here talking smack about people getting the sympathy vote for an MVP award.All your man PP did was twist an ankle then knock down a couple of open threes and the award was his....he just looked so cute in that wheelchair he won all the voters hearts.
Although I did hear a rumour they voted one of the refs MVP for the celtics but david Stern stepped in an vetoed it....
Posted by: Kiwi | August 25, 2008 at 04:24 PM