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
October 7 is the first pre-season game.
Only 43 days.
Let's get started clock.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | August 25, 2008 at 04:25 PM
Would you mind doing a bio chrono reading for me please?
Posted by: kiwi | August 25, 2008 at 04:28 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
Hey, KL, would you mind telling us who exactly is touting Sam Singletary as "the next Chris Paul" so we may contact the proper authorities? Whoever is doing the touting must be wearing a tinfoil hat while holed up in a bell tower with automatic weapons.
No doubt about it. The Suns with their broken down Nash and two nobodies who have never played in the NBA certainly have elevated their PG spot to the undisputed best in the NBA.
You sure you're not the one touting Singleton as the "next Chris Paul"?
Posted by: Jman449 | August 25, 2008 at 04:31 PM
AK and Laker Tom,
Since I am a nerd, let me give some statistics between Jordan and JC's rookie season:
- For point per minute per game: (taken into account their different playing times)
Farmar: 0.3 ------------- JC: 0.4
- PG Percentage:
Farmar: 42.2% ---------- JC: 42.1%
- 3pt Percentage:
Farmar: 32.9% ---------- JC: 27%
- Free Throw Percentage:
Farmar: 71.1% ----------JC: 69.2%
- Rebound total:
Farmar: 1.7 ------------ JC 2.2
- Assist/TO/Steal:
Farmar: 1.9/1/0.6 ------ JC: 1/1.1/0.4
There you have it
-
Posted by: Kelvin | August 25, 2008 at 04:41 PM
I think you all will be quite surprised with Sun Yue THIS year.
He's a unique combination of size, agility, passing and a good defender. He has some work to do on shooting but he's greatly improved in this area.
Add to the fact he's Chinese, the Lakers will give him more opportunity than they would give an American prospect.
Throughout his career, he's come back every year vastly improved over the previous year. He's a quick learner and works to improve constantly.
He'll get some meaningful minutes this year.
Posted by: Bynumite | August 25, 2008 at 04:49 PM
Hey let's go c's.. We probably wouldnve have won without kobe's contribution in the final game against Spain. He made us proud so show some respect.
Posted by: USAbballrulez | August 25, 2008 at 04:50 PM
hmm I wonder who is the better non-Laker, GWB aka KLBeast or BUTLER.
err I would choose Butler is better at least he dissed Paul Pierce.
"I don't like PIerce, I think he's a prima donna".
Posted by: Butler
btw Butler, I would rather choose Isiah Thomas (on the court not in management) or John Stockton over Steve Nash any day.
anyways...
Edwin you can't simply judge a person (Sun Yue) just on the premises because he was an olympian and Luke wasn't. Being an Olympian means best in your country not necessarily best in the world. Since Angola and Iran made it to the Olympics does that mean their Small Forwards are better than Luke Walton? The NBA style of basketball is far more physical then FIBA. Granted it's not as physical as Jordan's era but it's still much more physical regardless. Yao Ming struggled early in his career and while he is an all star, to me at least, he has not really gone up to what I feel he could have gotten to (at least top 10 centers in NBA history). Yi Jianlian didn't do so hot in Milwaukee and Wang Zhizhi isn't even in the NBA anymore.
I know you feel PJ doesn't give rookies chances but that simply isn't true compared to Larry Brown. Farmar recieved 2nd starter minutes instead of Shammond Williams. Luke Walton in 2004 gotten good time as well and in fact got an 8-6-8 in game 2 of the 2004 NBA Finals. Sasha Vujacic played 82 games in his second season (his first full season) as backup to Smush and Rudy T. barely played Sasha at all. And Summer League? That is just as comparable to the D-League. (Though in my opinion J-Critt may actually be better in the long term than Jordan). Mitchell is so unproven. Having an All-Star season in D-League still isn't qualified as being Trevor Ariza is (and Ariza is still unproven). I"m not saying Luke and Vlad has more potential than rookies, but Luke and Radman has more experience in the NBA and will get more calls than rookies would normally get
you have your opinions Edwin but to me it seems like you and even JustaLakerfan are blaming Phil for overachieving and making the NBA Finals. Yes that's right, overachievement, since we had no post defense (Kwa-may doesn't count) since Bynum was injured and neither Ronny, DJ, or even Pau could fill that gap. Kobe did also bring his teams to the finals but without Bynum for post defense we simply didn't have a chance. While I think we can always improve, Kobe has the best answer for improving the Lakers.
"Just Relax"
Indeed, we all have the pieces and a good and proven coach to guide (not bring, that's the job of the players) the Lakers to the Championship.
Taliq,
there is no way that Pip was better than Jordan at defense. Jordan has 9 All Defensive First Team not to mention. Plus Jordan won defensive player of the year. Pippen on the other hand has only 8 All Defensive First Team. Pippen though was the quarterback of the Bulls defense.
Though I do give you credit. Pippen was very underrated during his time as a Bull even though Jordan was the better player individually.
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 25, 2008 at 04:53 PM
Laker Tom,
I understand your opinion plus that you don't trust Mihm or Powell as backups to Pau and Drew. I would rather think though that Radman will be the backup at the power forward position since he has experience in the offense more and is better than Luke at the 4 (plus we already have a log jam at 3 with Odom/Kobe, Ariza, and Walton. Radman can open up shooting more for the bench so teams won't be so keyed on Sasha when the bench comes out to play. I'm hoping he can play a good role as a good 3 point shooting forward off the bench like Brian Cook in 2005-2006 (the one good thing about Cook, otherwise he sucked). Having Radman at the 4 will allow Ariza to be a second stringer and improve the defense of the bench. So having a good perimeter defender off the bench (Ariza) and a solid if still lots of work to be done defender (Sasha) we will have 2 good perimeter defeders. Even though Mihm will weak defensively (just as bad as Kwa-may Brown) he will be able to change/block shots though since he is a backup center instead of starting. If we need more offense off the bench, Luke can play 2nd string and if more defense Ariza off the bench at SF. Same story with PF, if more offense off the bench, Radman, if more defense is needed, Powell.
Our bench will be interesting to watch in the Pre Season.
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 25, 2008 at 06:07 PM
don't worry too much though about Butler, Pig. Here's how much class Suns Fans has:
http://tinyurl.com/5l5fam
even worst than that DETROIT Pistons Basketball Fan who threw a cup at Ron Ron. Maybe the Lakers should get the same tattoo as Brent Barry did when the Suns lost to the Spurs. Show it off to Phoenix!
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 25, 2008 at 06:16 PM
Also strange too....
http://tinyurl.com/5eqokl
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 25, 2008 at 06:19 PM
I was reading on the MSN/FOX website that the Suns fans can't wait until Nash and Shaq are gone so they can really start to rebuild again.
LOL
Posted by: socalife | August 25, 2008 at 06:32 PM
Hope this hasn't been linked already. From Hoopshype:
Indeed, there was one piece of the puzzle missing but it – he – arrived the next summer in the person of Kobe Bryant.
Out the summer before after knee surgery, Bryant came joined the team for the 2007 Tournament of the Americas, determined to make an impact on defense. This was a suprise for anyone who didn’t know Bryant but he had seen the game against Greece – which aired at 3 am on the West Coast – which was all he had to see.
On the very first possession of his Bryant’s first game against Venezuela, he pounced on point guard Greivis Vasquez, a rising freshman at Maryland who had missed a triple-double by one rebound in his first game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Bryant tipped the ball away, dove on the floor after it and when Vasquez got it back, jumped up, stole Vasquez’s next pass and started a fast break the other way.
“That’s the clip Coach K always uses, Kobe diving on the floor,” says Ronzone. “You’re talking about an MVP player in the NBA who just made a statement to USA. basketball… And what that did is it took our defense to another level. What you’re seeing is something that started last summer in Las Vegas, which is amazing.”
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | August 25, 2008 at 06:47 PM
Hey Jon K,
How do I get one of those bio rythem readings?
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | August 25, 2008 at 06:52 PM
hey..
have you guys heard of Kobe Mentu?
if not, here are some links..
http://tinyurl.com/kobementu
http://tinyurl.com/kobementu1
http://tinyurl.com/kobementu2
Brylle
Posted by: Brylle | August 25, 2008 at 06:57 PM
AK,
>>>>>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.
It’s funny how we develop perceptions about players and how difficult it is sometimes to change your opinion. I loved Farmar from the moment he put on a Bruin uniform and knew he was going to be a player because he always came up big in the big games. But I didn’t even have him on my list of guys I would like to see the Lakers draft that day. But it didn’t take long for me to really latch onto him in the hopes that we could have anybody other than Smush Parker. And I genuinely think Jordan can become a Tony Parker type player.
Crittenton, on the other hand, somehow didn’t light my fire. He reminded me of countless rookies who were great offensive players in small colleges and just never could learn to harness their skills and develop the discipline to become a true professional. Right or wrong, I put him in the same basket as Tierre Brown, Devin Green, Kareem Rush, or Smush Parker. I perceived or imagined that he had a chip on his shoulder about Jordan, disrespecting the value of his UCLA and NCAA championship game pedigree. He may have been the more talented player physically but he did not possess the mental toughness, proven confidence, basketball IQ, or other intangibles that make Jordan Farmar a better prospect and player.
On the subject of Sun Yue, I should clarify that my high expectations of him follow a timeline very similar to yours. He will be lucky to get some rare chances to shine and it will be up to him to respond the way that Drew and Jordan did. But I love the tools this kid has and really think he could be our point guard of the future. He has all the same skills that Lamar has but in a quicker, faster, and smaller package. Unlike Lamar, I think Sun will be quick enough to stay with those faster guards that seem to taunt Fish and Farm. And his left handed shot blocking ability will allow him to recover when he does get beaten.
I completely disagree with those bloggers who see this as a no-count move. It reminds me more of the decision to draft Sasha Vujacic. The Lakers saw the size and stroke that Sasha had and kept faith in him until he finally paid off. Planting those seeds to grow and improve the team from within is the smartest path to building a championship dynasty. Continuity and playing together for years. Replacing aging veterans with young stars. Drafting and signing Sun Yue will end up being a very important part of a future championship team. That is the vision behind the decision to draft Sun Yue. He will pay off in 2 or 3 years.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 25, 2008 at 07:11 PM
blitz,
Still can’t convince me that we would not be better off having two of our triple towers on the floor for ALL 48 minutes of the game. We would only play each big man 32 minutes per game so they could go all out when they were in and not get beaten down by the long season or injured. It would also mean that we would always have one of our two stud rebounders – Drew or Lamar – in the game at all times. Controlling the game starts with controlling the paint and the boards. I still say Lamar is more valuable as a power forward, especially since we know Pau would be a much better backup for Drew than Mihm and Lamar a much better backup for Pau than Powell. Think of how strong we would be up front the entire game.
The other reason that I like Lamar staying at power forward is that it balances the roster and gives the three players left at small forward – Trevor, Vlade, and Luke – a chance to get more playing time and possibly contribute. Each of those guys have skills to bring to the table and this would give them the opportunity. What if Vlade ups his shooting to Sasha’s 43%? What if Luke comes out playing like he did at the start two years ago? What if Ariza really has improved his shot while out with injury just like Fisher did many years ago? Each of these events is completely possible if not probable. Anyway, those are the two reasons why I would keep Lamar at power forward.
You respond with such logical precision that there are moments when I am sure that you Long Time Laker Fan using another blog name. In fact, we probably have several cases of schizophrenic bloggers who post as several different people. Hell, they probably comment back and forth among themselves. LOL! Anyway, are you a new poster to the blog or have you participated under another alias? Either way, you’ve been bringing some A stuff so keep it up. It’s definitely appreciated and you do know your stuff. Kudos and thanks.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 25, 2008 at 07:30 PM
I like this signing. 6'9 plays D and can handle the ball.
I love it!
Wasn't just a short time ago we had a piece of crap in the backcourt named Smush?
I like his upside. If he could just get enough minutes he most likely would lead the NBA for blocked shots from the guard position. This guy can block shots!
Great Signing Mitch! Give this kid 2 years to develop he has all the skills. 6'9 PG I like it! Sasha improved by leaps and bounds, Sun will too...
It won't matter though if Bynum doesn't come back strong like the BEAST we know he is. Bynum and Sun make this team very interesting and exciting to watch.
BD
Posted by: BD | August 25, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Almost forgot.......
Thank you Kobe and Wade for the Gold.
Can you imagine if the lost... ManOMan....that would have been ugly.
USA # 1 as it should be.
BD
Posted by: BD | August 25, 2008 at 07:40 PM
Edwin Gueco,
With the Laker raising tickets once again...money talks I'd say lol.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | August 25, 2008 at 07:51 PM
LIST OF FORMER LA LAKERS PLAYERS…
http://tinyurl.com/6d9mry
If you’ve been a Lakers fan for a long time, this list is an amazing doorway to a treasure chest of Lakers memories. Anybody remember Ray Felix? Don Ford and Brian Winters, Lakers who were traded for HOF players? Shea Seals? Rod Hundley? Gene Wiley?
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 25, 2008 at 07:53 PM
LOL Laker Tom
First I'm not Long Time Laker Fan. And Second I'm kinda new though I have read the blogs before and wanted to respond but was watching too much Laker games and this this time will have time to blog and watch the Lakers.
I understand your two reasons and I respect them and won't say it's not wrong or such. Here's my take.
1) Good backup for Pau and can come off the bench with Bynum sits
----------------------------------------------------------------
It's not so much that Lamar's rebounding strength off the bench, its the things he brings at Small Forward is too valuable to be put on the bench. I know many of us are supportive of every Laker and I'm mostly the same (I still criticize Gary Payton for allowing Chauncey Billups to to torch us in the 2004 Finals). So don't take this as a diss to Ariza. In my opinion, Ariza hasn't proven anything yet at Small Forward for us. Sure he was injured but even then, he didn't impress me except for solid but not good defense off the bench and a few times at scoring with drives to the hoop. Lamar does a still better job (he's more talented) than Ariza at driving to the basket plus I showed the statistics of how well Lamar defended as a Small Forward. Plus like you said he has a better jumper than Ariza at the time being. Does that warrant him the bench? Not really unless we have a superstar at Small Forward and Kobe is still playing Shooting Guard. Ariza I feel isn't yet ready for defending guys like Lebron, Paul Pierce, and Carmelo Anthony unless its at specific times which what I feel his best role is at, at the time being. Sure we may strengthen the bench's rebounding but we get weaker offensively and defensively a bit at defense for the starting unit and we lower our defense even more on on the bench (Radman is no defender and Luke is still only good for big body and that's it) since Radman will be playing the 3 and Lamar will be playing the 4. As I showed in the 82games stats, Lamar tends to give up more points at Power Forward, because he is more finesse and while his long arms does aid him, he isn't a banger like Boozer and KG nor has the physical talents of Duncan. It took Radman to score 40% on 3 point shooting with us so far for mostly he was a starter rather than off the bench and attention to Kobe, Pau Lamar, and even Fish gave him more wide open looks. I dunno if Radman could repeat that while playing on the bench at the 3 but maybe he can playing at the 4 since most power forwards except the elites ones can catch up to him. So basically by having Odom on the bench we only strengthen the bench's rebounding, but weaken both the Starting and Bench's overall offense and defense.
2) It gives Ariza/Walton/Radman to develop
-----------------------------------------------------
It's simple, if you do good on the bench you have a good chance at starting. That's the story with Bynum kinda because until Kwa-may Brown got injured, Bynum was tearing it up on the bench, averaging 9.6ppg 8.4rpg and 1.4 blks through 10 games. When he started, these stats ballooned up to 14.9ppg 10.7 rpg, 2.3 blks through 25 games (and so did our wins, we were 22-3). Back in 2005-2006, when Cook was struggling, Walton stepped up his game to 7.6 ppg and 5.7 rpg as a 6th man to 12.1ppg 6.4 rpg to in the playoffs against the Suns. The Same reason he started in the 06-07 season. We can always say, What if and so forth but to earn the spot on the starting lineup the players like Ariza and Walton first have to prove they can be productive off the bench then should we give them the chance to see how they would do starting wise.
You still need to convince me why Lamar should be a bench player hehe.
Keep it coming Laker Tom
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 25, 2008 at 08:12 PM
fighting the good fight
There really isn't a blog that he posts on. At least not that I've seen. Go to
www.azcentral.com
and look for the articles about the Funs. There is a comment area at the bottom of each article. You'll find him there under the handle "Grand Canyon." You'll see me there too. Enjoy the Fun!
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | August 25, 2008 at 08:22 PM
thekobebryantblitz
The Suns link has a MikeTenienteSucks user name. That's amazing how the lack of love for Mike T is spreading...
Posted by: Charles | August 25, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Kobebryantblitz,
Don't sell luke walton to us. We don't buy it. We're tired of seeing him for the last 5 seasons and he will still be around till 2013. I'll take anything to ship luke away from b'ball court, even to the end of the bench whether sun yue is an olympian or a chinese scrub, or Coby Karl, they're far better than luke walton. Hope we stop our arguments on that basis b/c you're unstoppable on your perceived ideas.
Faith,
There goes the lady's spin why Sun Yue should play. He's money in yuan and a Laker made in China.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 25, 2008 at 08:31 PM
I humbly submit to you the following account of mike t. posting on a FUNS board at azcentral.com.
You mike t. are a phony and have never been a Lakers fan.
The account is as follows:
"It's sad and pathetic how we think that we can depend on Dragic and Singletary can make a difference this season. These 2 fools are rooks, how can we depend on them to play defense? Dragic is soft.......like Pau Gasol is. cp3, d will, and even tp will run over the suns still. shaq is done he is already too old to be the shaq that won those rings. shaq is nothing more than trade bait and i propose that we get kwame brown from detroit if we can. DEFENSE wins chamionships!!! With kwame brown we can guard guys like bynum duncan and oden. amare will guard weak power forwards like boozer and pau gasol who showed how soft he was when kobe ran over him in the olympics. with kwame brown instead of shaq, our defense will be strong in the post and there will be less pressure on nash to defend since the suns will have stronger post defense and will allow dragic to be not as soft as nash is.
get more defense!! get kwame brown!!
mike t."
Poser.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | August 25, 2008 at 08:34 PM
I just heard the Lakers are trading Lamar for Michael Redd tomorrow/ I would LOVE to find out if this is true.
Posted by: John Vallefuoco | August 25, 2008 at 08:42 PM
thekobebryantblitz,
"He shot just 40% from the field and 26% from the 3."
Those look like Lamar's numbers at the 3. [joke ha ha ]
Posted by: hobbitmage | August 25, 2008 at 08:57 PM
SunYue will get minutes because of his defense and athlecism alone. What he does in offense will give him more minutes.
I like the way Lakers are building this team now.
Bynum-Gasol-Mihm
Gasol/Odom/Powell
Kobe/Ariza
Sasha-Kobe-SunYue
SunYue/Farmar/Fisher
SunYue will dominate Fisher and Farmar in training camp with his defense, length, athlecism, speed and quickness.
SunYue can give the ball to either Bynum or Gasol in the paint because he towers over every point guard in the NBA.
Phil Jackson will see his defensive prowess and passing abilty. What is lacking with his two PG's in Fisher and Farmar, he will see in SUNYUE.
He is a rookie, but he is not 19 years old. Get it? He is a young 23 years old.
I can see Farmar and Vlad getting traded in Feb deadline. Why do you think Lakers signed so many guards this summer?
First, Lakers brain trust are not convinced Farmar is their future starting PG and Fisher is getting older.
Powell PF
Kobe G
Sasha G
Fisher G
SunYue G
Crawford G
Mitchell G
Karl G
What a way to tell Farmar you are our future.
SunYue is not being brought in to play at the crowded SF (Kobe, Odom, Ariza, Vlad, Walton),
Kobe and Sasha will take most minutes in the SG for a long time.
Lakers weakest and shortest rotation is at the PG/Combo Guard/Tall Guard position. This is being taken cared of this summer.
Two other huge factors driving the search for Combo Guards/Tall Guards is PHIL's triangle offense and FARMAR's contract year. NBA run and gun teams will make a decent offer to JF and Lakers may not want to match it. This will be the end of Farmar's tenure as a Purple and Gold.
So Lakers know if they are to loose Farmar in free agency anyways, they will do it by unloading Vlad or Luke's bad contract. This is why there are COMBO GUARDS GALORE in training camp.
It's all about reading the future, always be prepared.
Posted by: Staples 24 | August 25, 2008 at 09:02 PM
Laker Tom,
Did you just compare Crittenton to Smush? C'mon, that's just mean.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH aka SASHA | August 25, 2008 at 09:06 PM
LakerTom,
I like your last post to thekobebryantblitz.
I don't think it will make a difference to him. He wants
Lamar to start. I *love* the idea of Lamar as 6th man.
Posted by: hobbitmage | August 25, 2008 at 09:08 PM
Wes,
Email me.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 25, 2008 at 09:15 PM
I don't think Sun will be a big factor, at least not for many years.
I think trading Odom for Redd would be a huge mistake since Odom will have to pick up some playing time that Turiaf gives up. Also, didn't really like how Redd played during the Olympics.
Posted by: sclakerfan | August 25, 2008 at 09:16 PM
I was quite impressed with how Pau played in the gold medal game. If he played like the during the NBA finals, I think the Lakers would have had a chance.
Posted by: sclakerfan | August 25, 2008 at 09:17 PM
"Pig" Miller,
The only time I've ever been on the Phoenix blog was when the Suns beat the Lakers back when we had them 3-1 but still lost.
I mean read that post. Kwame Brown can't be traded to Phoenix because he signed as a free agent with Detroit. And why would I want Kwame in Phoenix? Detroit is the perfect place for Kwame to at.
That other mike t., sir, is an imposter!
But I'm flattered that my name is making the rounds in other NBA cities.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 25, 2008 at 09:25 PM
My take on Sun vs Jordan vs J-Crit. I'm still a huge fan of Jordan Farmar. I'm counting on him to come back better and stronger than Laker fans have ever seen him. I love his cockiness. I love his character. Too many on this blog continue to overlook that he's only 21 years old.
I'll allow that I was impressed with Sun Yue during his Olympic performances. Not that he totally knocked me out. But he did make some nice moves. How he'd hold up in the prolonged NBA season is an unknown. Still, he seems like the insurance policy that Dr. Buss was looking for at PG. He's a better bet than J-Crit, by far.
J-Crit never seemed to live up to his potential. He also seemed like more of a shooting guard than a point guard, and the coaches in Memphis saw it the same way.
I'm still advocating Jordan as this year's starting point guard. He plays better with Bynum, and the two of them together as starters would provide the energy that Laker Starting 5's have been unable to deliver in recent years.
By the time Fish retires, Farmar and Yue will solidify the PG position for the Lakers for years to come.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | August 25, 2008 at 09:27 PM
damn, didn't know people were beginning to dislike Mike T.
Shame though, even though Mr. Teniente was disliked by many, I thought he preaching defense (to the wrong idea at least), was a good thing......
If we get Michael Redd, hmm interesting......What on EARTH is Milwaukee thinking?? first they give up Mo Williams to Cleveland now they will give up MIchael Redd so Kobe can play Small Forward? If that's true can we bring the championship banner already?? Having a very good shooter(Redd) and Fisher gives us offense to really make it to the top plus the Small Forward defense is solved and Redd can defend, this will be interesting........if it it true and we can officially say the Bucks are simply just giving up in the NBA which is shame.
Hobbit lol.
Edwin I never meant to say that Luke is better than Sun Yue totally. The topic was about PJ's thing about not playing rookies. Luke was just one of the rookies I mentioned that PJ played. PJ even started Farmar against Steve Nash. I don't mind being wrong in arguments, it's when stuff like "we lost because Phil didn't play rookies in the Finals". While we can blame a number of things, we simply lost and the better team won in the Finals. I really don't think we need to upgrade much or change much personnel wise to come back to the Finals. If this Michael Redd things is true, well so be it, I'm not a Lamar Odom homer, it's when we blame things like "Lamar sucks" or "Pau is soft" when we overachieved and got to the Finals when we weren't even to expect the playoffs, we should be glad and not be blaming our players who did their job and helped us fans to believe we can win the title again soon. Simply Boston beat us and I'm more than willing to leave it at that. Next year, whether we get Michael Redd or not, I really believe we have the personnel and coach ready to win the championship.
Thanks for your reply.
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 25, 2008 at 09:27 PM
Well even though I disagree with your ideas from time to time Mr. Teniente, I'm glad that wasn't you. (Though wondered why still you went to that Hawks blog).
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 25, 2008 at 09:29 PM
Sun Yue instead of Turiaf? And lamar odum is still on the team?
Nice offseason, lakers!
Guess the organization is looking at a joke of a western conference schedule in the previous postseason (Denver(horrible!), utah (terrible road team as good as they are at home), and an injured manu (thanks to the SUNS!)) and will take it as a sign that all is well... even after Boston helped them to realize how bad the defense was. These lakers couldn't even match the physicality of the hawks, who took the Celts to 7.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Pacific Div, the SUNS are growing mightier and more powerful by the day...heh heh...HAR HAR HAR...
Posted by: BUTLER | August 25, 2008 at 09:29 PM
Philosophy 101
The most painful thing in the world has to be love.
That stuff really hurts.
Damn those, MY BELOVED, Lakers.
mike
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 25, 2008 at 09:32 PM
"Pig" Miller,
Thank you for that post. We all knew that Mike wasn't a Laker fan yet people begged for him to come back to the board. Hopefully when he flees the board after the Lakers win a title without Kwame no one will try to convince him to come back.
Posted by: Xodus | August 25, 2008 at 09:32 PM
Aloha Laker Tom,
Have you considered the strong possibility that Lamar will start the game at the 3 and then when Sasha and Jordon come in slide over to the PF to allow either Pau or Andrew to rest? I really think that will be how the rotations will work this year, at least at the start of the season. It seems like everybody gets so hung up with each position having a guy that comes in, that we lose sight that most NBA rotations do not work that way. Like Amare slides over to the 5 when Shaq takes a break, I think we will see the same with Lamar.
MH
Posted by: michael h | August 25, 2008 at 09:33 PM
Okay, here's some links to the Sun Yue highlights (and lowlights)
reels:
http://tinyurl.com/5beg5r
http://tinyurl.com/66kaem
http://tinyurl.com/5mmrao
Sorry if the quality is a little choppy, but it's the best I could
do and make it small enough to be reasonably sized for the
web. If you're not sure who Sun Yue is, look for the guy
with the red armband on his right arm - I think he's the only
guy who played for China and wore an armband (like Kobe
sometimes wears).
Note that these aren't slam-dunks and spectacular juke and
jive moves to get to the hoop. But I don't think that's what
the Lakers would expect out of Sun Yue next season. What
they would expect are things like an ability to bring the ball
up the court against pressure without turning it over, seeing
the open man on offense and passing to him, being able to
pass the ball into the post, hitting set shots from 3, and a
little bit of ability to drive and shoot or dish.
So that's what you'll see mostly on these reels -- consistent
basic skills, with a little bit of flash here and there. And a
nice block on Dwight Howard.
As I mentioned before, I also included some lowlights to
balance things out a little - Sun Yue didn't have many real
stooopid plays, but he had a few and I showed them here.
enjoy.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 25, 2008 at 09:37 PM
Thanks for putting in the work LTLF, I'll have a look.
From what you saw, what did you think of Sun?
Posted by: Bynumite | August 25, 2008 at 09:44 PM
hobbit, i'm no Lamar Odom homer, please know that.
I'm just saying based on past performances Lamar has better production at defense which you and I agree that was needed on the 3. If Ariza really makes it big and can defend not to mention shoot, then hey, I wouldn't mind Lamar as a 6th man. Nor would I mind having Kobe at the 3 and Sasha at the 2 if we had suitable backup at the shooting guard position. At the time being, if we had Kobe at the 3 and Sasha at the 2 who would backup Sasha at the 2? We both also agree that Ariza so far doesn't have a decent jumper. Neither Walton nor Karl are capable backups truly ready for 2nd string shooting guard and Fish is too small as a shooting guard (Ray Allen began to score high percentages once Kobe was put on Rondo and Fisher on Allen). If I can see Ariza is capable of starting this season or Sasha can start along with having a capable backup ready for heavy minutes if something happens, then I won't mind seeing Lamar playing a 6th man role. I really think it would have its benefits too.
Just based on statistics and what past experience, I just feel Lamar is more ready to start at the 3 than Ariza is. Do I want Lamar to start? Unless either Ariza really and I mean really improves (like Bynum training), Lamar is simply better, not because I want him to start. Or we get a good shooting guard (either starting or backup) so Kobe can go to the 3 (Kobe loves the 3). Ariza still has to prove he is a good quality starter. Plus I think Ariza is better off the bench because of 1) His personal defense will help the defense of the bench which I admit is the biggest weakness of the bench and 2) He has energy off the bench like Mo Evans did back in 2006-2007. I will never forget the effort at least Trevor did in Game 4 (the hustle). Having him starting will have the bench not have as much energy which Lamar can't give. It's one of the reasons why PJ started Gary Payton over Derek Fisher at the 2003-2004 season because Fisher at the very least provided energy off the bench, something Payton couldn't do, even though Fisher was a better fit than Payton was in the point guard slot of the triangle offense.
There's simply more factors in determining who should start than just a person's choice.
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 25, 2008 at 09:49 PM
Rick F,
"J-Crit never seemed to live up to his potential. "
You're absolutely correct. In half a season, after two years of college. On a team with Kobe Bryant at SG, a team which just paid Derek Fisher $5M to come back as their starting point guard.
Crittenden had not lived up to his potential when the Lakers traded him.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 25, 2008 at 09:50 PM
>>>I just heard the Lakers are trading Lamar for Michael Redd
>>>tomorrow/ I would LOVE to find out if this is true.
That makes absolutely no sense. Why would the Lakers trade
for another SG? What are they gonna start Kobe at SF? And
it's not like Milwaukee has some other young SG stud in the
pipeline that they want to free up minutes for.
Don't get me wrong, I like Michael Redd a lot, but it just doesn't
seem to make sense for either team. If you told me Lamar
for a package including Richard Jefferson or Charlie Villanueva,
then it'd make a bit more sense. But Lamar for Michael Redd
just doesn't seem to add up.
But then again, I never would have believed the Kwame for Gasol deal if I hadn't seen it happen.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 25, 2008 at 09:56 PM
I remember Shea Seals! A former Tulsa Golden Flash, correct? :-)
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | August 25, 2008 at 09:58 PM
"We all knew that Mike wasn't a Laker fan yet people begged for him to come back to the board."
People were begging for me to return? LOL! I didn't know that. Well, we know who the popular one is...don't we? But here's something I don['t understand. You say "We all knew..." And before the sentence is done people were begging me? That would imply that most people don't agree with you and when you say "We all knew..." That isn't really "we all" but what a few of you thought. True Laker fans we're calling for me to return because they got tired of the rubish you few try instill as basketball insight.
I think I'm going to take a break from the blog.
Go ahead and start begging me not to leave. LOL!
Well, when people beg for me come back on the board, I guess that's a form of love.
Awwwh, home, sweet home!
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 25, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Bynumite,
>>>From what you saw, what did you think of Sun?
Honestly, I've seen as much potential in him to this point as I
saw in Bynum before he got in the NBA.
In both cases, they had the right body type to be an NBA player
and some basic skills, but they were far from polished.
I think if he works hard, in a year or two he could be a solid
NBA player. Or he could get his million dollar + contract, party
his a$$ off around LA for two years and be out of the league
for good.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 25, 2008 at 10:03 PM
LAKER TRUTH aka SASHA
>>>>> Did you just compare Crittenton to Smush? C'mon, that's just mean.
You know, I intended to add a phrase saying I was just comparing him to Smush talent wise. I never thought that he was the cancer to team chemistry that Smush was. Thanks for reminding me that I forgot to say that.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 25, 2008 at 10:06 PM