The Sun also rises?
The Daily News is reporting that the Lakers have agreed to terms with really tall Chinese guard Sun Yue, last year's second-round pick. Not a huge surprise, given that the team has expressed interest over the last few weeks in getting a deal done, but still some mighty intriguing news. More to come as we learn it. In the meantime, enjoy these clips of "The Best of Sun Yue," as opposed to messing around with "The Obscure B-Sides and Off Days of Sun Yue."
UPDATE (8:30 am): Here's the report from Elliot Teaford at the DN. Looks like a two-year deal, with everything getting ironed out in the next day or two if all goes well. Fans, of course, can get a look at Sun during the Olympics, starting Sunday when the U.S. faces China.
BK
Subscribe to this Blog What is RSS?
Good news....We need another point guard .....Lets hope they are as patient with him as they were with Sasha
Posted by: Thirty2 | August 07, 2008 at 11:18 PM
BD,
That was the best recap of Lamar I've seen on this blog. I love Lamar as a person and a glue guy. Unfortunately, he is not the man for us to win it all. I don't see him making it past feb. this season with us. I really think we end up trading him for Gerald Wallace. I've been high on him since we lost Caron Butler. I would love to see us sign Lamar after we trade him to back up Pau Gasol for $8 million. If we can spend 16 mil on Gerald and Lamar, then I'll say it's worth it.
Posted by: wow | August 07, 2008 at 11:29 PM
This is going to be hard to get used to.
I unconsciously associate "Sun" with my hate of the Suns. Whatever shall I do? lol.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | August 07, 2008 at 11:40 PM
Wow, imagine if Sun Yue had somehow signed with the Phoenix Suns and had become a star player for that club.
The marketing would've been through the roof.
Posted by: asdf | August 07, 2008 at 11:53 PM
Agreed to terms means what exactly?
Is it a guaranteed contract?
Sun Yue sounds like a pretty interesting prospect, but I'm surprised they signed him before training camp and before we saw whether he blew out his knee in the Olympics. That seems a little odd to me.
Wouldn't it make sense to take a closer look before acting on the guy since no one else in the NBA can take him?
I'm not saying the front office doesn't know what they're doing, but I'd like someone to explain why acting as they have makes sense.
Posted by: Benjamin | August 08, 2008 at 12:22 AM
Is he going to be playing in the Olympics so we can see him in action?
I wonder if Sun vs. Yi will be hyped up and have all of China watching?
Posted by: DavyJonze | August 08, 2008 at 12:59 AM
Kam Bros,
Blog's become a 24/7 variety show. Marvin Gay, Kobe and a Chinese Magic Johnson... what will you do for an encore?
Here comes the Sun?
Posted by: Vman | August 08, 2008 at 01:31 AM
Will Yue be playing on the China Olympic squad?
Posted by: Very Nearly the Absolute Truth | August 08, 2008 at 01:55 AM
LakerTom,
My apologies regarding the question I asked about a couple of blogs back about Sun Yue possibly being a member of either the N. or S. Korea National Basketball Team. It totally slipped my mind that he is of Chinese backgound. The question should be this instead: Does Sun Yue currently play for the Chinese National Team or did at one time? I'm still not familiar with his playing background. For his size, though, I would imagine he has had some experience nationally or internationally. BTW, the Lakers made a positive step in solidifying the point guard position by signing him to a contract. Terms were not disclosed. I feel that the Lakers are not done wheeling and dealing yet in terms of seeking veteran help of some kind. The next transaction could be a big one. Let's see what Mitch can cook up in the upcoming days as summer is slowly coming to an end.
Laker pride through adversity! Peace!
Posted by: Let's go L's! | August 08, 2008 at 02:34 AM
We'll see if it happens. My only issue is the toughness of some foreign players. If he is another finesse player, he may take quite a few years to blossom like Sasha.
Posted by: Doc4Da LakeShow | August 08, 2008 at 04:20 AM
He (Yue) seems super mobile, playing against the Sisters of Mercy. It would be pretty terrific if he turns out to be a foreign gem like, say, Ginobli.
Posted by: Marty | August 08, 2008 at 06:28 AM
Rick Barry on Next Year's Lakers
"After the pros are through in Beijing and get ready for next NBA season, Barry said he can already identify one team he doesn't figure to be on top in the West. "The Lakers," he said. "I just think if San Antonio had won the first game of that series, the Spurs would have won. Too many teams in the West are going to be really good next season and I don't know if the Lakers are going to be any better. "They don't play the kind of defense that wins championships." Los Angeles Times"
I don't agree with this, but it did cut close. Teams scoring 109 points a game and giving up 104 don't win championships. I also agree that the spurs should have won game 1, they were up by 20 in the 3rd, and if they had won it, I think they would have won the series. So, we barely got by them.
I don't like the slow game played in the East, but I don't like the nonchalant defense the Lakers played last year either. Just watching guys put in a layup, think nothing of it, and just inbound the ball to go back on offense, like it didn't really matter they were just scored on, on a layup no less.
I'm not sure that just Bynum coming back is going to make that big a difference either on defense. I know it will make some. But I'm worried we didn't add a defensive stopper. I think getting Artest was the right move, and it would have put us over the top.
It looks certain now that noone new will be added. I'm disappointed they didn't try to get better. And I feel the same way Barry does, that defense wins championships, not offense.
With the same players next year, it will take a totally different mindset to play better defense. It's hard for me to envision last year's team having that mindset.
John
Posted by: john_in_houston | August 08, 2008 at 06:36 AM
Welcome Sun Yue, I've been looking at clips from this guy alot last month, I'm no scout but I think this was a good addition at the right time despite not knowing if he will help us any on Defense...perimeter defense that is. We all know that if the Lakers could come back aggressive with the majority of this team intact then they could be problem causers.
BTW anyone feel free to answer on this. But is it me or do you guys also feel like Kobe won't be ready to start (knock on wood) I mean he has to do surgery on his finger and now that the season is gonna start Oct 28...even if he's ready for opening night he might be extremely limited at practise. Either way, it should be no big deal.
Posted by: rhon.salmon | August 08, 2008 at 07:05 AM
I can't wait to scout Sun Yue when Team USA plays China this Sunday!!!!
Posted by: LakerSamTexas! | August 08, 2008 at 07:14 AM
Hey! Homeboy can actually dunk the ball well...
By the way, just watched the live feed of the Olympics. Kobe and a few NBA stars are toward the end of the group of Americans who march.
Also, keep a look out for the flag carriers of these countries: Argentina (Ginobili), Russia (Kirilenko), Germany (Nowitzki)
Posted by: 130 | August 08, 2008 at 07:38 AM
Oh duh, Yao Ming for China, too....
Posted by: 130 | August 08, 2008 at 07:40 AM
I would have rather signed Shaun Livingston. Anyone know the terms of the contract?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 08, 2008 at 08:16 AM
The Lakers should trade Lamar Odom for Vince Carter even if they gave to throw in a gurad like Farmar for one of the Nets' bigger men. They should also sign Shaun Livingston since the Clippers won't sign him. He would have time to heal on the Lakers' bench and his upside would be great.
Posted by: Harry Lime | August 08, 2008 at 08:26 AM
if anyone is interested here is sun yues pre draft workout for us
http://tinyurl.com/57erqn
Posted by: ose | August 08, 2008 at 08:38 AM
Jon K.
Just admit that you're just upset that I (and many others) have stopped co-signing your "Starve The Troll" rants.
The "jerk" is in the mirror staring back at you. I have no beef with you. None at all. Every word I spoke to you was with the utmost respect. YOU took it to another level, dude.
At the end of the day, we're both 2 passionate Laker fans who are dealing with losing the Championshipin 2 different ways. We need not clutter this blog with anymore unnecessary drama. Ready to squash this "beef" (LOL!) when you are.
Posted by: utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER | August 08, 2008 at 08:39 AM
LA daily news has us offering him a 2 year contract, but it also says that its not been finalized yet.
Posted by: ose | August 08, 2008 at 08:41 AM
When they let me out of 186, I rush to the computer and lo and behold, somebody's at it again. Just keeps repeating himself over and over and over and over again. Its about the wonder drug Tic Tac Toe, or please get Clippers for the Lakers, or annoying the bros, or feeding the trolls.
Yo Mr. J/K, say it once and move on.
Even Michael Teniente has more variety.
Posted by: Occupant Cell 186 | August 08, 2008 at 08:57 AM
utzworld,
I do not admit it. If other people don't agree with me, that's fine, but it doesn't make me a jerk. I find your recent posts to be very odd, especially from a praying man.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 08, 2008 at 09:01 AM
utzworld,
Actually, I'm not upset at all that "I (and many others) have stopped co-signing your "Starve The Troll" rants."
Not at all. I'm upset that a fellow Lakers fan whom I held in high esteem has begun attacking me for no reason.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 08, 2008 at 09:06 AM
It certainly seems like it's that time of the month for certain bloggers.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 08, 2008 at 09:17 AM
I believe that "Sun" is pronounced "soon," not like "sun."
Posted by: dr.park | August 08, 2008 at 09:18 AM
dr.park
The "Soon" pronunciation is correct. Great job. How are YOO?
Posted by: Charles | August 08, 2008 at 09:31 AM
If Sun Yue is listed at 6'9" then is he really 6'7" or even 6'6"? Just curious... sounds like he could also play some SG if he has any kind of jumpshot. If he really has the handles to be a PG, imagine a lineup of Farmar, Yue, Kobe, Odom and Gasol running the floor. Fast break city...
I'm also curious if Yue is fast enough and strong enough to stay in front of the better PG's in the league. I'm guessing this year might be more of an "integration" year where he gets spot minutes and then next summer hopefully would have some kind of workout program and come in and give us 10-15 minutes/game the next year. Anything above that is a bonus in my eyes.
I'd say Coby Karl is in trouble...
Posted by: Chris the Catherine Zeta Jones of Backups Mihm | August 08, 2008 at 09:31 AM
John in Houston
People are going to be down on the lakers for various reasons -one being the way they exited the finals helps people to feel they shouldnt have been there in the first place.I dont agree with Barry's statements at all.
-This team struck when it mattered and claimed the top seed...they then relatively easily got through a super tough western conference.Any team capable of achieving this is capable of winning a championship regardless of what you think of their D
-They have what amounts to the edition of one HUGE free agent signing and one potentially very good one.
- The idea that we 'nearly lost' the spurs series is preposterous.Saying 'if we had lost game 1 we would have lost the series' is like saying 'had we one game 1 in Boston we would have won the series'
Even the most biased lakers supporters are hesitant to say we were the better team.We got beaten...relatively soundly and the spurs lost 4-1.Sure game one was important but it seems like extraordinarily pesimistic logic under the circumstances.
- Furthermore who knows what the lakers are going to be like next year? Alot depends on how well Bynum plays which we have no way of knowing.We also have other young players such as Farmar and Sasha who have made solid progress and will continue to improve plus a welath of confidence and experience gained from last years playoff run for the whole team.
Maybe Rick barry is right who knows? and I'm not guaranteeing a finals appearance but at this point I dont see how he can really make his argument with any genuinely real confidence as there are just too many unknowns and too many potential positives for the team.
Sure like every team we have questions hanging over us but the lakers have to start at the very least even money to win a playoff series against any team in the league (bar arguably the celtics) We dont know if standing pat will prove the best decision in hindsight but with the information available this summer it was the best decision.You dont go messing with a finals team that has tons of reasons to think they can be better the following season - you just dont...and I dont see that any of those western teams have got seriously better.The spurs? sure thats a run...the hornets? maybe... but we are still a year or two ahead of them,the rockets have ALOT to prove before you'd favour them in the playoffs.Who else? Utah...? no reason to think so
The guy (Barry) is either trying to come up with a different angle,looking for some attention,or has an axe to grind somewhere.
Posted by: Kiwi | August 08, 2008 at 09:34 AM
John in Houston,
I think Rick is overlooking the return of Bynum and Ariza, as well s the natural progression of young players becoming better over the summer.
The Lakers will be a better team next year and with the tallest frontcourt in the NBA, they'll defend plenty well.
Oct 28th can't get here soon enough.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | August 08, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Yeah. I am a praying man. But I'm a truth teller too. Whether it be you or Let's Go C's or anyone else, my 1st obligation to God is to speak the truth in love. The fact that you interpreted my truth telling as a personal attack on you is just that - your own interpretation.
I never attacked you personally. I never INTENDED to attack you personally. As I said, we just disagree on the proper methods of "troll starving". Let's agree to disagree and move on.
One last thing: You may want to update your definition of what a "praying man" is supposed to be. Solemn & reverent to God: Yes. Passive: ABSOLUTELY NOT. Highly confrontational, unafraid to express my opinion and mucho agressive: HECK YEAH!
But above all, to paraphrase the words of Samuel L. Jackson in "Pulp Fiction": I"m trying, Jon. I'm trying real hard to be the Shepherd.
Beef squashed. No hard feelings, dude.
Posted by: utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER | August 08, 2008 at 09:53 AM
"The guy (Barry) is either trying to come up with a different angle,looking for some attention,or has an axe to grind somewhere."
An axe to grind? Because he says the Lakers don't play championship level defense?
Everyone knows the Lakers don't play championship level defense. That the most glaring thing about this Lakers team. Barry is just telling the truth.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 08, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Excited about Sun! I think his game can flourish better in the NBA. He can run and he's got crazy hops! A great passer with lots of skills. He's gonna render Luke and Coby obselete because of his athleticism.
One word for Rick Barry....Bynum. He's a Laker hater from way back. Most analysts are. I mean, other than Magic, how many national analysts are ex-Lakers? Name them. These guys are just bitter they never played for the Lakers.
Let's pick up a veteran banger and we're good, because Bynum will be an all-star monster. Celtics are One and Done.
Posted by: jq | August 08, 2008 at 10:16 AM
SUN YUE WILL HAVE NO IMPACT ON THE TEAM THIS YEAR.
Just thought I should put that in caps before someone uses the phrase "Chinese Magic Johnson".
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 08, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Did anyone read that article about Kobe being asked if he would play in Italy when his contract is up?
Interesting.
We could clear some serious cap space if Kobe moved to Milan.
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 08, 2008 at 10:21 AM
>>>If Sun Yue is listed at 6'9" then is he really 6'7" or even
>>>6'6"? Just curious... sounds like he could also play some
>>>SG if he has any kind of jumpshot.
Nope, he really is 6'9".
And they have him listed as a SF for the Chinese national
team. They used to use him as a PG, but last summer they
had two other PGs, so maybe they moved him to SF so he
could get more minutes.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 08, 2008 at 10:25 AM
I just realized that even if Kobe opted out and went to Italy to play, and we let Lamar walk, we still would have minimal cap space.
Man, that sucks.
Sure hope Kobe doesn't move to Italy.
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 08, 2008 at 10:29 AM
John in houston,
>>>Teams scoring 109 points a game and giving up 104
>>>don't win championships.
Oh really? How about teams that hold every team they face
well below their shooting percentage from the regular season.
Because the Lakers did that. And you know what? Those teams
didn't just magically shoot more poorly by chance. The Lakers
defense CAUSED them to shoot more poorly than they did
during the regular season.
Also, let me ask you this... do you think that teams giving
up 109 points per game, 110 ppg, 103 ppg, 109 ppg, and 107 ppg
could win championships?
Because that's the number of points per game given up by
the Lakers in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. ALL OF those
teams won championships.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 08, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Andrew Z
Proof positive that no one reads a word I say. My "Chinese Magic Johnson" was realist bait and it caught one. But it's August for god's sake. Marvin Gaye's on the blog, it's all entertainment.
He won't make an impact but even though you'd go all in on that, we don't know for sure. Every once in a while there's that one that overachieves. I don't tune in because it's all so predictable.
Posted by: Vman | August 08, 2008 at 10:36 AM
My impression of Sun would be of a 2-3 combo Point Go-ward. Yes Point Go-ward. Handles the ball on a fast break but not a pound and walk it up kind of guy.
He looks to play offensive minded and is a playground N1 version of the South East. However, his shooting touch seems a bit more refined than a typical Concrete Baller. (Then again, this is all judged from You Tube Videos)
I wouldn't compare him to Magic. That's like the Adam Morrison being compared to Bird. I see him more of a Scottie Pippen (Offensively) during to Portland days. His defense is yet to be determined.
I would like to think he can play PG for certain portions. But I feel even Mo Williams and TJ Ford would run him outta the gym. And good luck with CP3, D-Will and Boom Davis.
Overall, he may actually pan out like Shaun Livingston with a stronger finishing touch in attacking the rim. Or even an LO with a scorer's mentality minus the rebounds.
$.02
Outro for now.
Posted by: Charles | August 08, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Andrew Z,
"Chinese Magic Johnson"
Hey, that stuff really works!! It's made out of a combination of rhinoceros horn and tiger urine.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 08, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Vman,
You should come to my school of antagonism. I'll make you a more visible member of the blogging community.
LOL!
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 08, 2008 at 10:49 AM
I hate to be a glass is half-empty kind of person when it comes to anything regarding the Lakers, but to be honest with you, I wasn't impressed by what I saw with Sun Yue.
I am expected more Wang Zhi-Zhi than Yao Ming.
I mean, let's face facts... the Chinese league is like a competitive American high school league.
What I saw of Sun Yue is a guy with a very weak physical structure. He seems to have grace and he can obviously dunk, but he doesn't look quick and if we're concerned about Pau Gasol's toughness we should be REALLY concerned about Sun Yue's toughness.
I'm thinking that Jerry Buss signed him, in part, simply because it will bring a lot more attention to the Lakers in China and will assist in merchandizing in that country.
Sorry to be the wet blanket, but I don't see Sun Yue helping us win championships and that's ALL I care about.
Faith and Michael Teniente said it best. We need to improve our defense. That's all we should be focused on this offseason.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 08, 2008 at 10:49 AM
>>>And I feel the same way Barry does, that defense wins
>>>championships, not offense.
Yes, but the Lakers did play decent defense. Not the best
defense in the league, but good defense. Like I said, they
held Boston 5% below their regular season shooting percentage.
If defense is all you need to win championships, then in
theory the #1 defense in the league would win the title
every year. Right?
So how many seasons has the #1 defense in the league
won the championship? Let's just look at this century to get
an idea.
2000 -
NBA Champion - Lakers - best defense in the league
2001 -
NBA Champion - Lakers - 21st best defense in the league
#1 defense was San Antonio, who got swept by the Lakers
in the WCF
2002 -
NBA Champion - Lakers - 7th best defense in the league
#1 defense was New Jersey, who got swept by the Lakers
in the NBA Finals
2003 -
NBA Champion - Spurs - 3rd best defense in the league
#1 defense was New Jersey, who lost in the finals
2004 -
NBA Champion - Pistons - 2nd best defense in the league
#1 defense was San Antonio, who lost to the Lakers in
the second round.
2005 -
NBA Champion - Spurs - best defense in the league
2006 -
NBA Champion - Heat - 9th best defense in the league
#1 defense was San Antonio, who lost to Dallas in the second round.
2007 -
NBA Champion - Spurs - 2nd best defense in the league
#1 defense was Chicago, who lost in the second round
2008 -
NBA Champion - Celtics - best defense in the league
So summing up - over those 9 seasons, the team with the
#1 ranked defense won the title 3 times, lost in the finals
twice, and didn't make it to the finals the other 4 times.
Pretty decent support for the "defense wins championships"
theory, when the best defense in the league at least made
it to the finals in 5 out of 9 seasons.
But I should also point out that the Lakers beat the team
with the best defense in the league in 3 of the last 9 seasons,
and swept them twice. You might call that the "well executed
triangle offense beats best defense" corollary.
The thing is, you have to have good defense to win a championship,
but you don't have to have the best defense in the league.
When Bynum was healthy, the Lakers had the 2nd best
defense in the league last season. With Gasol it was more
like the 5th or 6th best. Combined with the best offense in
the league, that should be good enough to at least give them
a CHANCE at a championship.
I think what they need to work on is offensive execution.
It wasn't the Lakers defense that let them down against
the Celtics. It was that they let the Celtics defense take
them out of their offense.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 08, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Andrew Z,
"Chinese Magic Johnson"
Hey, that stuff really works!! It's made out of a combination of rhinoceros horn and tiger urine.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 08, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Come EX. everybody knows there's no rhinocerous horn in there, they always substitute Hippopatomus.
Posted by: TARZAN | August 08, 2008 at 11:01 AM
>>>An axe to grind? Because he says the Lakers don't play
>>>championship level defense?
>>>
>>>Everyone knows the Lakers don't play championship
>>>level defense. That the most glaring thing about this
>>>Lakers team. Barry is just telling the truth.
Wrong, wrong, wrong.
Mike T, you're wrong again.
The Lakers defense was fine. It held the Celtics 5% below
their regular season shooting percentage. The Lakers defended
Boston as well or better than any team that faced them in the
playoffs.
Where the Lakers failed was in letting Boston's defense
disrupt their offense. Three times this decade, the Lakers
have beaten the team with the best defense in the league.
Two of those times, they SWEPT the series. You have to
have the will and focus to execute your offense and not
let the other team disrupt it.
Mike T and Rick Barry and everyone else will see next
season. With Gasol, Bynum, Sasha, Farmar, Lamar, and
Ariza getting another year of experience in the triangle,
it will not get disrupted so easily in the 2009 NBA finals.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 08, 2008 at 11:04 AM
utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER, JON K. go and sin no more. I made you both and I don't
make mistakes.
Posted by: GOD ALLMIGHTY | August 08, 2008 at 11:05 AM
By the way, blogmunity, my hat's off to Tully Moxness who from what I hear is kicking ass in KLOS trivia contest.
Go Tully Moxness!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 08, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Vman,
You're one of the people who's posts I read after scrolling down to the bottom to see who wrote them, keep them coming. I must have just missed that, sorry dude.
Ex,
I didn't even think of it that way, but damn that was funny.
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 08, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Also, let me ask you this... do you think that teams giving up 109 points per game, 110 ppg, 103 ppg,
109 ppg, and 107 ppg could win championships? Because that's the number of points per game given
up by the Lakers in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. ALL OF those teams won championships.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 08, 2008 at 10:33 AM
MAGNIFICIENT!!
Posted by: SHORT TIME LAKER FAN | August 08, 2008 at 11:07 AM