The Lakers get in the Josh Powell business

AK,

Powell averaged 5.5 points per game and 5.2 rebounds per game in 19.2 minutes of playing time in 64 games with the Clippers last year. Those are not bad stats at all. In fact, they are amazingly close to the stats that Mike and HmrHed are making regarding Kwame. I would say that would make the Lakers deal with Powell, who made $800K with the Clippers, a much smarter and more affordable option than $4M per year for Kwame. LOL.

Of course, there is no way even with injuries that the guy is going to log anything near 20 minutes per game with the Lakers, unless they have a Clippers type injury year.

Tom

JJJOOOSSSSHHHH POOWELLL not POSH sorry again.....LA LAKERS ARE # 1 here in the Philippines

For those who might not be watching the China games, I've
capped a nice Sun Yue highlight - he gets a steal and throws
a length of court pass to Yi. I've uploaded it to youtube, but
as of this post, it isn't showing up there yet. Hopefully by
the time you actually read this and click through it will be
there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTwBNh9n1AM

It's my first time using youtube. If this one works out, I'll do a
Joe Crawford summer league highlight reel and a Coby Karl
summer league highlight reel for those of you who didn't see
those games.

I was actually pleasantly surprised, as my newer version
of premiere has built in stuff to convert to the right format
for youtube and upload directly through the Premiere interface.
If I'd have known it was going to be that simple, I'd have capped
this stuff long ago. :-)

The clip will probably get taken down eventually, as it's just
a 15 second clip straight off of NBC, but for the highlight
reels, I'll do some editing and add text and a soundtrack,
which will make it count as "fair use" and thus probably
won't get taken down.

Long Time,

Thanks for the YouTube of Sun Yue. What do you think of Sun? I really like his potential and am surprised at the negative stuff being posted about him. Be interested in your take. Thanks.

Tom

LTLF and LakerTom,

I'm going to hi-jack your convo and give my two cents on Sun Yue. I liked what I saw. He handled the ball well, had a nice stroke on the 3's he took, and seemed pretty athletic. What I really liked is the fact that he looked like he put on some weight from other clips I saw, and gaining that strength is going to be huge. The thing is, he's a Chinese second round pick on a title favorite and won't see much playing time, which is good.

I like him on the Lakers and I think he'll be a crowd favorite. I can see some garbage time Yue to Crawford highlight reel clips next season.

AZ,

Hey, thanks for chiming in. You know I always have respected your view as often more realistic than mine. We usually only disagree by degree. LOL. I hadn’t really noticed that Sun had put on weight but I would like to get someone like Drew’s Dr. Z to work with him. The difference he made in Drew between his second and third years were miraculous.

What I really like about Sun Yue is that he reminds me a lot of the Chinese-American ball players that I played against in Chinatown leagues in LA. He really is pretty aggressive and showboating for a Chinese. I am sure the stint his team did in the CBA helped him acclimate his game more to the American style. Behind the back passes aren’t a natural tendency that you will see from many Chinese ball players. That is starting to change as Sun Yue shows. As Yao says, Chinese basketball is getting better. China the team is actually a microcosm of the China the country as it climbs out of the past to emerge as a full blown modern power.

There are players like Yao and Yi who have a graceful finesse games but often seem passive, especially when play gets very competitive and physical. Even though Yao has grown a lot in that respect, you sometimes wish he had a mean streak. He is such a gentleman that it probably limits his potential. Sun, on the other hand, seems to be cut more from a Bruce Lee or Jet Li mode, willing to wear his heart a little more on his sleeve and understanding of the entertainment aspect to playing basketball. Those who claim that his Chinese Magic Johnson nickname came just because of his height and position are disrespecting his obviously strong ball handling and passing skills as well as that streak of showmanship that propels him to throw those behind the back passes and make those great come-from-behind shot blocks.

There will never be another Magic Johnson and he will always be the G.O.A.T at the point as far as I am concerned but I sure wouldn’t mind seeing Sun Yue become the first Chinese back court player to become a star in the NBA and help Drew continue the Lakers greatness once Kobe Bryant decides to hang up his sneakers. It will be fun seeing how Sun Yue turns out and tantalizing to get a few glimpses here and there of the Lakers post-Kobe. Got to say, it’s crazy that everybody on this blog is not smiling and celebrating. This is as good a time to be a Lakers fan as there ever was. And we know I’m old enough to be able to say that.

LOL. Tilt one up for me, Andrew. It’s Lakers all the way.

Tom

Somewhere Jon K is happy that a clipper has crossed over.

Let's hope this turns out better than the last clipper, lol.

Seriously though, we picked up a PF, perty good. Now show us what you got, in what little minutes you'll have.

Go Lakers!

Laker Tom,

You're right. The numbers for Powell next season definitely weren't "bad" at all, especially in the rebounding department. I just wanted to caution against anyone thinking Powell was the proverbial "missing piece." Never say never, obviously, but it's probably a stretch. But certainly not a poor signing, either.

From the limited conversations we've had, Powell also seems like a nice guy, for whatever that means to anyone.

AK

Good signing.

Now just pickup Quinton Ross and we're done.

GO LAKERS!

AK,

>>>>>From the limited conversations we've had, Powell also seems like a nice guy,
>>>>>for whatever that means to anyone.

It’s funny but my wife and I were talking earlier and she said that she thought it was cool that all of the Lakers players were nice guys, whereas most of the Celtics players were all a-holes. LOL. What can I say? She IS Mrs. LakerTom. LOL.

I must admit that it’s extra special when you have great guys on your team – and you win. Not that I don’t mind an a-hole or two if that’s what we need to win. But the mix of players we have on this team is inspirational, international, intergenerational, and interchangeable. It’s so eclectic that the team portrait reminds me of an international fashion ad for the GAP or Banana Republic. It’s like a microcosm of the world’s races and cultures. All that we’re missing at this point is a Central or South American and we could create our own UN. LOL

Tom

Powell is very solid and gives what the Lakers lacked both in the 08 Finals and the 04 Finals: a big man enforcer who possibly won't fumble the ball and be a soft scrub like Kwa-may.

In 04, the Lakers had a 1 legged 40 year old Karl Malone, Slava, and a rookie Luke Walton to be the banger against Rasheed Wallace. In 08, the Lakers had an Odom who was covered heavily by KG the Defensive Player of the Year and had to guard a center. Ronny faded from the finals and Pau got too tired from being guarded by a center who is stronger than he is and also guarding one of the best Power Forwards in history (KG). Had the Lakers had Horace Grant back in 04 and Andrew Bynum in 08 we could have won both finals.

I look for Sun to be 3rd backup in the point guard and either Coby Karl or Mitchell to be backup at the 2. We shall see in training camp of who makes the cut.

thekobebryantblitz,

Jordan Farmar is going to be the next Tony Parker (as long as we don't sign Shaun Livingston). Phil Jackson may be biased towards long, defensive-minded point guards, but he is by no means an idiot. He has the humility to adapt and he will with a weapon like that.

GO LAKERS!

Why haven't we fricken resigned Coby Karl yet? What the hell?

He's good!

GO LAKERS!

JohnnyP,

>>>>>I watched the entire China v. USA game and was not impressed
>>>>>by China or Sun Yue.

Thanks for your comments, Johnny. You’re always welcome to chime in. I don’t agree with you but understand what you’re saying about the Chinese team not being aggressive. It’s something that is coming along slowly and steadily but, just like China the country, they’re not quite ready for prime time. I think Sun Yue will blossom out of the environment and restrictions of playing for the national team. It was even a surprise that he started. China is not the team where you throw behind the back passes and showboat your ball handling.

Aside from being an incurable optimist, I have a lot of confidence in Mitch and the Lakers ability to judge talent. I think Sun Yue is unique for a Chinese player and stood up very well considering he has never really played against NBA quality talent. I was impressed that Sun only had the single turnover and played with poise against Kobe when more experienced guys on other teams have totally fallen apart when guarded by him. Look at what he did to Barbosa last year and the Greek guard just the other night. You’re being too harsh on Sun in my opinion. At any rate, remember he is only a second round pick and we have already cased in on Mitch’s other second round pick, Marc Gasol, who was an integral reason why Memphis did the deal with the Lakers.

Anyway, thanks again for chiming in. We’ll just have to agree to disagree on Sun Yue, although I know you’ll be hoping I’m right and you’re wrong since we’re Lakers fans. LOL.

Tom

Long Time,

>>>>>I think what Yue needs is some good training, sort of like what
>>>>>Bynum is getting. They could bring in Magic to tutor him and turn
>>>>>him into a quality point guard or bring Michael Cooper in to tutor
>>>>>him and turn him into a defensive stopper.

Thanks for responding. I like what you said. These guys are exactly what you want at the end of the bench. Guys who will be hungry and have potential that is worth investing some time and resources on. I’m glad we are going that route and not with a bunch of mercenary has-beens like the Celtics, even though it paid off for them. I still wouldn’t consider House and Allen as guys I would trust. House was a bust at Phoenix. He will be a bust next year. The Celtics will really miss Posey. They’re past their summit and on the way down. And the Lakers are building a machine that is 15 players deep. I could see a starting lineup in some far off future with Sun Yue at point and Coby Karl at shooting guard. Long shots sure but not without hope. The return of the Lakers Mystique will make every player better.

Tom

Jon K.,

The trauma of watching Shaun Livingston's injury ought to be enough to convince you of its seriousness.

If the Clippers who obviously have the best opportunity to take a close look at him feel he's expendable (and they've made it clear that they do) given his obvious size and talents, you have to question whether he can play in the NBA again. The decline from his obvious talent and potential to his injury and subsequent dumping by his team is a bathos and suggests he's in terrible shape.

As a Laker fan, I'd like to stop taking big chances. We tried it with the Shaq trade. We tried it with Kwame. We did it with Bynum (and won, thankfully).

Why chance a roster spot for a guy that we don't even know can play in the league again?

Here's a very graphic video of the injury. It's really not for the faint of heart:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGPKIS6pB_c

The results of the injury we'e torn ACL, PCL, lateral meniscus, a badly sprained MCL, and a dislocated patella and tibia-femoral joint.

Looking at a graphical representation of the knee and its major components, there's not much more that Shaun could have damaged:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knee

We know you loves you some Clippers players, but you know the answer to the question about Shaun's knee.

GOOD MORNING EASTCOASTJESSIE, JUSTANOTHERMAMBAFAN AND MORNING CREW.
I didn't mean to ignore you yesterday, I left before I saw your postings. Sorry! So how
Is everybody? Hearing from the "Latina Princess" and" Head of the Mamba clan" is
just what I needed to start today. So how about Team USA? TOTAL DOMINATION!!
If they had even one more "Big" on the Team I would almost take the REDEEM TEAM
over the DREAM TEAM. What say you.

Larry(MAMBA24)

AUGUST 15, 2008
TO ALL LAKER BLOGGERS PLEASE JOIN IN THE FOLLOWING CELEBRATION

Lord Cassius Kwaminus Longinus, Earl of the Quick Foul, Viscount of the Sore Calves
I have been dispatched by the Queen Her Majesty Elizabeth herself to inform you that because
of your sterling Laker Blog Service you are now hereby to be known as: Lord Cassius Kwaminus
Longinus, Earl of the Stone Hands, Duke of the Magnificient Kwame Calves. Wear your
new title with honor and pride sir.

Joseph, Barrack, and Mary were a platonic threesome. Because the baby Kobe was
immaculately conceived, and the Chinese one-child law wasn't violated, he wasn't aborted.
Kobe became a kind master, performed miracles, and was worshipped, before he was
crucified. Jesus, on the other hand, travelled a different road. He was a showboating
adulterer, and purchased with gold the silence of the skank who had soiled his bed.
Of course, this presented no problem for Kobe or his followers -for as Kobe had
exclaimed to all- the big Daddy had done exactly the same before him.
Wait a minute. We're confusing Kobe with Jesus! We must be Laker fans.
Sonnybelfast Posted by: Sonnybelfast | August 14, 2008 at 06:05 PM

Sonny, Sonny, Sonny! LMAO!!!

Yawn...Josh Powell wins the 2008 J.B. Carroll Award. If you remember the Purdue star (?) of the early 80s, he came into the Association and quickly became known as "Just Breathing" Carroll. Powell will not replace Turiaf's minutes...the Lakers should just hang onto another guy with two letters for a first name, D.J. Mbenga. It will cost them about the same $$$ and they will get about the same production...

Larry,

You are crazy. Dream Team always.

All this Powell and Yue talk is cool, but neither are getting any minutes next year. Yue may get Coby Karl minutes and Powell will probably get less than Benga minutes but who cares, neither was in the game once when it matters (I think Karl got 1st half action once when PJ was mad at everyone).

What we need to be really excited about is how Kobe is going to get back to back MVP's, how Bynum is going to become the next great center, how Lamar is going to cement his legacy as a great Laker role player, how Pau is going to go down as the best trade EVER, how Farmar is going to become a very good pg, and how Sasha is going to become the best 3 pt shooter in the NBA. This all leading us to what is ours, the NBA Championship.

Lamar = Laker for Life

GO LAKERS

Laker Tom, Mamba 24, and other over-users of the Blog:

ENOUGH! TIME TO GET OUT AND DO SOMETHING USEFUL.

The entire season hinges on Bynum's recovery, not that I am not enjoying minor pieces of the puzzle being ably assembled by Mitch. Bynum or bust. The west is so packed with talent that status quo means falling back into the pack. We have status quo right now - we need more. When the Lakers were the Lakers, they had a second team that could beat many first teams. We are nowhere close at this time, and there is NO Laker mystique (Magic Johnson is Mystique's name) on the floor. We'll need a Bob McAdoo, a Mychal Thompson, an Alonzo Mourning. We need a starting point and a rebounding specialist. So many needs, so far to go.

RUMOR HAS IT…
By Eric Pincus for HoopsWorld.com

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=9771

Eric Pincus finally confirms what I have been saying about John Black’s confusing comments about Sun Yue playing shooting guard:

>>>>>The Lakers have since clarified with HOOPSWORLD that the comments were
>>>>>taken out of context. Sun will have the opportunity to back up Derek Fisher
>>>>>and Jordan Farmar at the point. Equally, since the guard positions in the triangle
>>>>>offense are interchangeable - he could very well get minutes at shooting guard.

Some stuff on Josh Powell and other non-Lakers rumors.

Tom

-Artest...Finally-

http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/1159158.html

Sonnybelfast