Some Sun impressions
I took a swing by El Segundo on Wednesday afternoon for the Sun Yue introductory news conference. Fair to say the turnout and hoopla over a second-round pick from two seasons back, probably destined to be no more than a 12th, 13th or 14th man on the roster, was atypical (there was, for example, no news conference to announce the re-signing of DJ Mbenga). Of course, Sun isn't your typical end-of-the-bench player. While the local media certainly turned out, given the incredible interest in basketball in Sun's native China along with a vibrant local Chinese community, it was no surprise to see a very large Chinese media contingent there to greet him.
The Lakers are now something of an international media sensation. There's already a crew of Spanish and European media that tracks Pau Gasol, and they'll probably be joined by a new bunch, there to cover Sun. We do, though, lose the French guys who used to hang with Ronny.
The biggest impression Sun made was with language. He worked most of the press conference with minimal aid from an interpreter (ironically, one time he needed a little help was when I asked him how understanding English might help speed his learning process on the court), and was able to communicate very effectively, despite some jet lag. Sun is confident enough in his language skills, honed during some relatively extensive stretches since 2005 playing in the US and against Americans, that he'll have a minimal support group. A driver to help him navigate the maze that is LA's freeway system, and another guy there to help with language support. He won't, though, have a full time translator, which shows he's not interested in being sheltered and protected over here.
That's a great sign for people hoping for a swift learning curve. 
Other notes and quotes from the presser:
- Sun called playing from the Lakers as "a dream come true," and referred to himself as a point guard.
- His preferred nickname, Q, is indeed short for Q-Tip.
- The time his Chinese team spent playing against ABA competition helped him both gain an understanding of American culture and also the style of play. Seeing the US in Beijing helped as well.
- On his goals this year: "I'm a rookie, so my goal is to practice hard and do everything that the coach wants. That's my goal my first year, because I am a rookie and cannot ask too much." He hopes to get some PT, "but my rookie season I just want to do my job well."
- His biggest adjustment to the NBA: "Body. My body is too skinny for the NBA, I think." With that in mind, bulking up and getting stronger is a major priority.
- One minor "Lost in Translation" moment came when Sun was asked to describe his strengths as a player. "I'm an average player," he said. Not sure that's what Mitch was hoping to hear. But the explanation made sense. "I do all the things on the court. I like to do everything. I like to pass, defense, block shots. I enjoy it. No one skill very, very good, no one skill very, very bad."
- Asked who he's looking forward to guarding and seeing play, Sun said "LeBron."
- Kudos to Sun for having a firm grasp on LA traffic. He won't drive ("I know how to drive. I have a Chinese driver's license, but it doesn't work here."), but should be able to budget his time based on previous visits. "I saw that if you want to go to the supermarket, it's 30 minutes. If you want to go shopping, one hour and thirty minutes."
- On playing for LA: "The Lakers were always my favorite team. Before I started playing basketball professionally, I watched the Lakers games. Watching the triangle offense. The Lakers helped me make my dream come true, so it feels good."
- He's excited to play for a large Chinese community: "I know there are many Chinese people here, and I like it. It can make you feel more comfortable, like you're staying at home."
He seems like a good kid, and I have a feeling his teammates are going to like and gain a sense of responsibility for him (assuming he puts in the work). As I've said before, I doubt he'll have an impact this season, even to the point that Kupchak said he needs to earn his way onto the roster. I'd be shocked if he was actually cut, but anyone hoping for a dark horse ROY candidate will likely be disappointed. Still, it'll be interesting to watch him progress, and see if the Lakers have found themselves a solid player for the future.
BK
BK,
I saw the press conference on the Lakers website and when I heard "average" I was surprised. Then I realized he meant some more like "well-rounded."
Posted by: laker hopeful | September 24, 2008 at 07:45 PM
Just so people know, you can watch the press conference here: http://tinyurl.com/49zozx .
Posted by: laker hopeful | September 24, 2008 at 07:49 PM
laker hopeful-
Exactly. Definitely a moment where he didn't quite get the right word, but like I said, I thought he handled himself extremely well.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | September 24, 2008 at 07:55 PM
THE A-TRAIN AND Q-TIP?
Laker fans should rejoice because we just watched two impressive young players interviewed, one anointed as the team’s next great center and the other as the NBA’s first guard from China. While one is a sure-fire superstar center and the other a long-shot second round pick, you could not help but see that both players shared many traits in common that bode well for their future prospects and speak multitudes about the great job Mitch and the Lakers front office has done in evaluating, drafting, and developing basketball talent.
To begin with, both players are very personable and likeable individuals who came across well in front of the camera, providing intelligent and thoughtful responses to questions, displaying natural charm and a keen sense of humor, and confirming that here were two serious, dedicated young men who would strive at their craft and appreciate the opportunity to play for the Lakers. Most importantly, however, both players made some interesting comments that supported the idea that the Lakers are building a roster of players with high basketball IQ’s.
For Drew, all you had to hear were his comments about how he and Kareem interact. It is so rewarding to see a young guy who has the world by the tail but is still not only willing but eager to continue to learn from one of the greats who ever played the game. You only have to listen to what Drew says Kareem taught him about avoiding fouls when blocking shots and working on the skyhook to realize this kid is something special in more ways than one. And that Kareem deserves a chance to extend his impact to other big men on the team.
As for Sun, you all know that I think he is going to be the Lakers point guard of the future. I loved hearing him talk about the different roles he could play depending on what his coach was asking of him. And talking about having watched the Lakers and the Triangle Offense. I will be eager to see what Tex thinks of Sun Yue, assuming that Tex is well enough to help out for another year. I loved Sun’s humility but could see that there was a steely confidence and countenance in the way the he carried himself in the interview and in the way that Kobe and Mitch both alluded that he was not the type of player to back down.
Drew knows he is carrying the hopes of millions of Lakers fans for multiple championships while Sun knows he has been chosen to bear the hopes of millions of Chinese basketball fans that a skinny 6-9 Chinese point guard could become a star or valuable player on the NBA’s most storied and successful franchise. I predict there will come a time down the road when we will see both of these two young men starting, starring, and winning games for the Lakers.
Just my opinion.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 24, 2008 at 08:06 PM
Indeed the Lakers really scouted international competition much and showed that there is talent outside the USA though Pau was more trade (they did draft his brother which helped land Pau).
We could actually have a lineup of international players:
PG-Sun Yue-China
SG: Sasha Vujacic-Slovenia
SF: Vlad Radmanovic-Serbia
PF: Pau Gasol-Spain
C: DJ Mbenga-Congo
Very interesting....
-blitz
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | September 24, 2008 at 08:12 PM
Sun is Chinese handsome. He looks better than Yao and that Bucks guy who is now with Jersey Nets.
Laker Tom probably looks like Sun. jk.
Posted by: Lakergurl | September 24, 2008 at 08:24 PM
""One minor "Lost in Translation" moment came when Sun was asked to describe his strengths as a player. "I'm an average player," he said. Not sure that's what Mitch was hoping to hear. But the explanation made sense. "I do all the things on the court. I like to do everything. I like to pass, defense, block shots. I enjoy it. No one skill very, very good, no one skill very, very bad." "
You have to understand that there is a cultural language difference between Western and Eastern countries. Chinese, Korean, and Japanese people speak very humbly. Humbly to the point that we may make ourselves seem less confident or lacking in some qualities, but that is simply how we speak. Furthermore, Western countries speak with a lot more bravado and "I am the best" type of mentality. Do not just read the words from a foreign person without putting yourself in the mindset and background that they grew up in. Think about who are saying these things.
And also, words in English may translate in Chinese differently and may not evoke the same feelings and connotations as they do in the other language.
BTW, Lakers need a Korean player. Sure, the Chinese population might be larger than the Korean population; but man Koreans will blow you guys away with how much pride and enthusiasm we would have for a Korean Laker. Have you guys seen the Korean population rally together for the Soccer World Cup? It's crazy.
Posted by: Sohl Kim | September 24, 2008 at 08:48 PM
his "lost in translation" moment, may have been been calculated...he's not going to stick his neck out onto the chopping block, ....dang, I remember my childhood, now going to get a chicken, my elders would pick the live one, then they'd kill it...I think the place was near Dodger Stadium, on Sunset Blvd.,
...he doesn't want to seem cocky, that's not the Asian way...but he does seem to have a very confident game...
...so I think he was just handling that question very well, he worked the interviewer, it's like going to Paris, where you're talking to them in English & they really act as if they have NO clue, but they actually have some inclination. Victory to Q!!!
...everyone close your eyes and think back about how painful those Shaq interviews were....how many years of college???? Military background in his upbringing???? "The only thing that comes out of Texas is steers and ......." from "Officer & a Gentleman", for which Richard Gere should have been considered for the academy award for, but they had to give it to an ol' guy....that guy in that drug smuggling movie should have got recognition as well, forgot the name of that movie, it was like Turkish hash....
Posted by: humanomaly | September 24, 2008 at 08:57 PM
As usual, LakerTom's cup runneth over.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | September 24, 2008 at 09:04 PM
Lakergurl,
it's called evolution (a nice condensed version), see Darwin. Unless you're Catholic....then man was plopped onto earth, by God, who takes them back, when he needs them (my interpretation)...therefore, when there is a disaster, I know this is pessimistically morbid, but I just say "well God musta needed those 370 people, why else would that 747 crash"...
wow, now we're gonna have a pretty boy contest (with Sasha's hair, Sun's "Chinese handsome" on the Lakers, if so, then Pau will have to go back to his rookie days looks, from his Crazed Phil Jackson look...that was evolution in reverse.
Posted by: humanomaly | September 24, 2008 at 09:11 PM
I, for one, am very pleased that Mbenga is back. Especially with Ronny gone, the roster has a guy who is a great team mate, showing demonstrable enthusiasm from the bench. That alone has value.
The international flavor of the roster is great marketing for the Lakers in a city where more than a hundred languages are spoken.
Thank goodness we're only days away from the start of camp and the pre-season. The best thing on TV lately has been the Iron Maiden concert in Rio on VH1 Classic. I need an NBA fix really bad. I've watched so much political coverage my head is ready to explode.
Imagine! We've just gone through an off-season where the biggest question is who will make the roster. What difference a year makes! Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | September 24, 2008 at 09:18 PM
Bloggers
I am very concerned about the drafting philosophy and the general makeup of the Lakers roster.
With the exception of Kobe we have no "dogs" on this team. Our frontline of Odom, Gasol, and Bynum are all finesse players. After the debacle in the finals this year it would seem the Lakers would balance this roster of finesse players with some real physical cats who know how to "get after it" defensively.
If we are to improve and get by Boston or for that matter Portland and Houston then I sincerely hope that Ariza "lived" in a weight room this summer and picked up at least 15 pounds of muscle.
Otherwise we are in trouble if we are going to depend on the very fragile Chris Mihm (who just also happens to be a finesse player) as a backup at center.
If you ask me Mitch Kupchek is again falling asleep at the wheel and may be jeapordizing an amazing opportunity to shore up the holes in this ship while Kobe is in his prime.
With the exception of Kobe we do not have one other defensive stopper on this team!! Combine that with a coach who doesn't emphasize defense in practice and we may have a problem.............when the stakes are raised in playoff competition.
Posted by: pfunk36 | September 24, 2008 at 09:22 PM
pfunk,
Bynum is finesse? Wake up man Andrew is not a finesse type center
-blit
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | September 24, 2008 at 09:32 PM
Sohl Kim-
No question, the humility aspect is certainly part of it. I was just thinking that based on his explanation, that "average" wasn't necessarily the word he was looking for (I'm not being critical. It's not like my Mandarin is all that polished...). It was just a funny moment, because everyone exchanged a few looks.
Thanks for the comment.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | September 24, 2008 at 09:58 PM
humanomaly - "midnight express" - great movie starring brad davis.
sun seems like a real decent guy... i can't help but think about the balance of this team - great personal stories, lots of talent, size and depth... guys that can play multi-positions, guys that can move the ball and move without the ball. the lakers are gonna be putting on a clinic this season.
Posted by: dave m | September 24, 2008 at 09:59 PM
I have been following Sun for some time now and i like his potential. He reminds me a lot of Andre Kirilenko of the Utah Jazz. High energy type guy who goes after every shot to try and block that he can. 6-9 with very good ball handling skills for his size. I was also impressed with how he handled the presssure that Kobe applied on him during the Olynpics. Kobe pressed him full court and he got past it without a problem.
I see him as a guy who can potentially initiate the offense and be a weakside defender because of his shot blocking ability.
Posted by: Watch NFL Online | September 24, 2008 at 10:04 PM
pfunk36,
"With the exception of Kobe we do not have one other defensive stopper on this team!!"
See Bynum, Andrew.
You must not remember how well we were playing in December and January, espcially defensively. We were among the best rebounding teams in the league (top 5, I believe) and among the top 5 in FG% defense. Saying Bynum isn't a defensive stopper is ludicrous.
Posted by: Xodus | September 24, 2008 at 10:05 PM
BK,
Looks like Mike T was right after all. You are a racist. haha, just kidding obviously.
Posted by: Xodus | September 24, 2008 at 10:06 PM
thekobebryantblitz
You think Bynum is a power center??
Bynum fits the mold of a skilled finesse player.........in the same mold as Kareem ( but not as good......yet)
If I were an opposing coach I would be real physical with Andrew and try to rough him up.........Like Perkins from Boston did last year..........and see how he responds to that style of play.
As a matter of fact with the exception of Kobe ( don't want to get Kobe upset) I would be physical with this whole team........Gasol, Odom, etc have yet to prove they can respond to this type of play
........and Mitch didn't pick up anybody that can play that style of basketball.
Posted by: pfunk36 | September 24, 2008 at 10:21 PM
Sohl Kim, I 'm glad you brought up the point that Asian people speak very humbly, as a Chinese, I was taught in school and by my parents to be humble, it's our culture and it's a virtue.Definitely, there is a cultural difference between the West and the East, unfortunately the majority of the Western or American people know very little about China , the long 5000years Chinese history of civilization, the Chinese people....and the so-called Chinese food here in America are NOT Chinese food at all
Posted by: Shum | September 24, 2008 at 10:25 PM
The Lakers have more than enough talent to be a very good defensive team. They just need to committ to defense from the opening day of training camp. You can't just flip a switch end of the season and all of a sudden become a great defensive team. The Celtics committed to D from day 1. The Lakers need to do the same.
Posted by: Watch NFL Online | September 24, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Xodus
"Saying Bynum isn't a defensive stopper is ludicrous."
That's far from ludicrous............I think Bynum was improving in leaps and bounds as an effective shot blocker............however, and effective strategy against a shot blocker is to crowd him and be extremely physical.
Where was Bynum's defense against Perkins from Boston last year? Bynum will have to improve this part of his game........until he does we will struggle against physical athletic teams.
I honestly believe that not only Boston but Detroit, Cleveland and Atlanta would have given the Lakers problems in a 7 game series........why? They have strong athletic teams that stress defense.
............and we don't have players on the roster to counter that style nor a coach with the energy to motivate.
Posted by: pfunk36 | September 24, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Sun Yue sez:
"No one skill very, very good, no one skill very, very bad."
Butler sez:
"So, he's somewhere between Smush Parker and kwame brown?"
Posted by: BUTLER | September 24, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Shum - coming from this humble non-Asian, I'd just like to mention the title of a book I recently read, "1421, The Year China Discovered America". Goes directly to your point, so many westerners know so little of Chinese civilization or accomplishments. An argument can certainly be made that centuries of a closed door society had a hand in it but at any rate, the long supressed (and/or forgotten) story of China's early maritime dominance is pretty amazing.
Posted by: dave m | September 24, 2008 at 11:05 PM
Sun should be pronounced as " Suen " or by some as " soon ", it's his last name ,the same as the Chinese national father Dr. Sun Yat Sin ( another name called Suen Chung Shan in Cantonese ) ,just for your information
Posted by: Shum | September 24, 2008 at 11:06 PM
LakerTom sez:
"...Sun knows he has been chosen to bear the hopes of millions of Chinese basketball fans that a skinny 6-9 Chinese point guard could become a star or valuable player on the NBA’s most storied and successful franchise"
You mean Sun Yue is playing for the SUNS?
Or the Celts? The Celts are a more "storied and succesful" franchise than LA, all that Auerbach bizness and bird and russell and pierce stuff.
So yes the NBA needs more Far Eastern playas. Sorry, but milwaukie or whoever has yin jianliang now, new jersey, they're too far from China. LA or Golden St needed to get Sun. Or the clips maybe.
Yao is all good since he wears red, the symbol of socialist China. And he's a rocket, something his country invented.
If Sun becomes good enough to come off the bench, then the SUNS naturally need to trade for him. The Chinese would go apestuff for Sun as a SUN, playing for the most storied and succesful franchise in the NBA.
Posted by: BUTLER | September 24, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Pfunk36,
If you honestly believe Atlanta and Detroit would send us to 7 games then so be it. We beat the Bad Boy Pistons (not the real bad Boys) at Staples and almost beat the Pistons at the Palace with Ronny as our center! Atlanta we embarrased at Staples and we should have beaten them at Atlanta (it happens). We beat both the Utah Jazz (very physical team) and the Spurs (who beat the Hornets and is very physical with Tim Duncan). Obviously we are not soft, simply Boston didn't have as much severe injuries and experience simply outlasted the Lakers plus we didn't have any post guys after Pau. Don't say Ronny he shot jumpers. Simply put we had no post presence other than Pau and he had his hands full guarding KG (don't say he should dominated KG, why don't YOU try to handle KG defensively??) Bynum will be our post presence we didn't have after Pau (Boston closed the lanes to Pau since they didn't fear Radman from the outside and instead forced jumpers from Kobe, Lamar, Pau, Sasha, and everyone). With Bynum we'll finally have a legit post presence.
Think we need to be PHYSICAL and try to be like the Utah Jazz and get people whistled for so many fouls? Simply here is "real" defense: The Jordan Rules:
The Jordan Rules: The guiding principle is that a defender is never left to guard Jordan unaided. Jordan's position on the floor dictates whether the Pistons trap him with a second defender or have the second defender play "help and recover" (that is, run at Jordan to stop his dribble, but then scramble back to his own man; Salley is a master at this ploy). The closer Jordan is to the basket, the more the Pistons go with the trap. When he is above the sideline hash mark (28 feet from the baseline), they usually play help and recover. Even when Jordan is far from the basket, perhaps bringing up the ball as a point guard on a wide-open floor, Detroit runs a second player at him, someone like Salley or Rodman. This reduces the amount of open court that he has to work with and often forces him to give up the ball to a teammate. The Pistons always want someone else to handle the ball. Not sometimes. Always. When Jordan has the ball on the wing, the Detroit player guarding him forces him toward defensive help. Most often that means turning Jordan to the right when he's on the left side of the floor and to the left when he's on the right side. If Jordan happens to get isolated with one man and is in a potential scoring position, the Piston defender will try to force him to go left. They think he makes a stronger, more explosive move to his right. So does Jordan. When Jordan tries to run a pick-and-roll, Detroit traps him. That means that two men, the one guarding Jordan and the one guarding the Bull setting the pick, run at him. The Pistons do this with remarkable efficiency, partly because that second defender is usually the 6 ft. 11 in. Salley or the 6 ft. 11 in. Laimbeer. The tall trappers make it almost impossible for Jordan to deliver the ball to a teammate rolling toward the basket, and their aggressive charge toward Jordan usually forces him to retreat. When Jordan posts up near the basket, Detroit typically puts three men on him, with Dumars most often behind him, using his strong hips and legs to "body" Jordan away from the basket. When the entry pass comes in from the point guard, Thomas leaves that guard and double-teams Jordan. If that means the point guard is free, so be it. Meanwhile, another defender, perhaps Laimbeer or Salley, will have come over and planted himself in the lane, maybe on the baseline side, maybe toward the middle. Dumars will then turn Jordan toward that help. Jordan loves the baseline. "Even though there's less room down there, I can be more creative," he says. But by and large, the Pistons take it away from him. When Jordan comes off a screen set near the baseline -- his most frequent maneuver when he's playing shooting guard -- a host of Jordan Rules come into play. Dumars must follow him around the screen -- no matter if he has to go into the bleachers -- to prevent Jordan from making a backdoor cut and receiving an alley-oop pass for an almost certain dunk. The Piston -- usually Laimbeer -- guarding the Bull setting the pick will step out to make Jordan receive the ball farther from the basket. In addition -- and this is important -- that man will guard against Jordan's making a "tight curl" off the top of the screen and suddenly looping back into the middle to take a short pass on the dead run, a circumstance that is almost always disastrous for the defense. In most cases Jordan will have to step back and take the pass on the wing. Then Thomas will come over, creating a double team, and the process begins all over again. If Jordan puts the ball on the floor, at least two players stay on him, pushing him toward even more help. If he passes, the weakside defenders adjust to play two Pistons against four Bulls or one against three. As long as Jordan is out of the picture, they love those odds. EVERYTHING the Pistons did, other teams did when facing Jordan. Teams like the Boston Celtics ran zones in the 80's. Only a lazy defender would be called for illegal defense.
Pfunk36 we are fine otherwise we wouldn't be ranked as high if we weren't a good team.
-blitz
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | September 24, 2008 at 11:23 PM
"Sun Yue sez:
"No one skill very, very good, no one skill very, very bad."
Butler sez:
"So, he's somewhere between Smush Parker and kwame brown?""
Butler I know that you have your fun here but I don't find that very funny at all in fact I found it to be really insulting. Some people act more humble than others and that was simply very classless thing there. So I ask you don't do that again please.
Make fun of stuff like he can't shoot for all I care. Just please lay off comments like that about a person's personanility, because the way you posted was basically an insult to me as well.
-blitz
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | September 24, 2008 at 11:27 PM
"And he's a rocket, something his country invented."
WRONG!! It was Germany not China that invented the first TRUE rockets the V-1 and the V-2 Butler, get your facts straight!
btw still annoyed at you for that post.
-blitz
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | September 24, 2008 at 11:32 PM
pfunk sez:
"After the debacle in the finals this year it would seem the Lakers would balance this roster of finesse players with some real physical cats who know how to "get after it" defensively."
I enjoy listening to Ric Mahorn, even though he's too much of a homer most of the time. Fortunately Detroit hasn't won the title for a while and that keeps him somewhat in check. But anway, he talks often about the importance of having some muscle and power and meanness on the team. The "dogs."
And here pfunk is right - unless one of the new guys is a tough SOB, the lakers haven't improved their guts or grit since last season. The K Bros mentioned Turiaf and I have to give them credit. At least they recognize that Turiaf was a gamer, and brought some energy.
Gason and Odol are not the same as KG and Perkins and Leon Powe. Or SHACK for that matter.
bynumb? He's still got to show he can play....
Posted by: BUTLER | September 24, 2008 at 11:36 PM
Shum sez:
"...the same as the Chinese national father Dr. Sun Yat Sin "
Sun Yat Sin was the official leader of China's new govt following the last emperor, indeed. His body is buried in the Purple Mountain outside Nanjing.
Sun Yat Sin studied in the West, I believe, or perhaps he simply studied Western culture. Sun Yue is following in that tradition.
Posted by: BUTLER | September 24, 2008 at 11:40 PM
He's a standard player? Can do everything?
Watch out Luke, he's gunning for your job! lol.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | September 24, 2008 at 11:55 PM
Dave m , in the year 2005,we celebratedthe 600th anniversary of Zheng He's maritime expeditions,between 1405 and 1433, he commanded 7 expeditions to the western oceans, visiting over 30 countries in Asia and Africa, and sucessfully extending the Chinese influence in culture and technology as well as fostering trade and goodwill.These 7 voyages were unparalleled in the world's maritime history.But I doubt the year 1421 Chinese discovered America, some historians ( mostly the westerners) tend to believe that Zheng He's " branch fleets" navigated the opposite direction to land on the American soil which needs a lot of concrete evidence to prove it
Posted by: Shum | September 25, 2008 at 01:25 AM
"I sincerely hope not."
posted by" JustaLakerFan
Oh well I suppose JLF has Anti Phil pill just as much as KL has for Kobe (nothing wrong with either that, it's opinions and I respected opinions). Some people forget though that even with Shaq AND Kobe AND Rodman AND Eddie Jones AND Glen Rice the Lakers back in 1998-1999 got SWEPT by the Robinson-Duncan duo and when PJ comes minus Rodman and minus Eddie Jones (only addition at all was Ron Harper) did the LAKERS get a 67-15 record.
Or that Kobe hasn't been on All Defensive Teams or First All NBA Teams until Phil came back. Or how in 2004-2005 Kobe was on the 3rd All NBA Team ONLY and next year Phil comes back and gets not only 1st All NBA Team but 1st All Defense Team.
-blitz
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | September 25, 2008 at 01:26 AM
Butler , you are right, Dr. Sun Yat Sin led the Chinese National Revolutionary movement to overthrow the Ching Dynasty.He studied Western medicine in Hong Kong, then a British colony where I was born 55 years ago. The School of medicine where he studied in later became the University of Hong Kong ( founded in 1911) where I was also graduated from .I was surprised that you know some Chinese history. Er, no more history, bloggers here are not interested in this ,my bad, let's talk basketball.
Posted by: Shum | September 25, 2008 at 01:44 AM
Butler, Dr. Sun's body was not actually buried in the purple and gold mountain ( yes it's really purple and gold--the Lakers color) in Nanjing, his body was buried in Beijing's Fragrant Mountain. The one in Nanjing is more or less a monument.I guess you are not Chinese, are you? But again ,surprise that you know that much about Dr. Sun
Posted by: Shum | September 25, 2008 at 01:56 AM
"Kobe in 2004-2005 was injured plus he had to switch coaches, that's why he did bad that year"
Pfunk36 and JustaLakerFan would probably make this excuse as why Kobe didn't get 1st All Defensive Team and 1st All NBA Team when Phil first left the Lakers.
Now that only diminishes Kobe's accomplishments huh?
Kevin Garnett switched coaches in 2006-2007 and had a losing record and not only got 3rd All NBA Team but also 2nd All defensive team still and the Timberwolves SUCKED. If Kobe got still that Defensive team in 2004-2005 then the argument would have been legit. Then Phil comes back and works with mostly the same roster in 2004-2005, actually was worst since Kwa-may Brown was acquired by giving up Caron Butler, and Kobe not only gets 81 points but also re earns 1st All NBA Team AND 1st All Defensive Team.
Without Phil's offense Kobe shot 43.3% in 2004-2005 while averaging 27.8ppg. Good points but at LOW field goal % (that's Iverson like percentage). Kobe is in large part better than AI since he shoots much better than AI has (45% career percentage by Kobe and 42% by Allen Iverson). Phil comes back and Kobe shoots 45% in 05-06, 46% in 06-07 and 45.9% in 07-08. Kobe's turnover rate in 04-05 WITHOUT Phil is his highest with 4.5 per game, PJ comes back and then Kobe's turnovers are back to around the low 3.0's which is better considering he's the focal point of the offense. Kobe in 04-05 got only 1.3 steals per game his LOWEST since his second year in the NBA (1997-1998) without Phil's defense schemes.
Simply put Kobe has done well in big part to Phil just as much as Jordan is to Phil (hint: until Phil was promoted to Head Coach, Jordan never got past the Detroit Pistons even when he played point guard (playmaker as well) and that Jordan still had Pippen and Grant with him).
Phil Jackson=NOT an over rated coach.
-blitz
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | September 25, 2008 at 02:01 AM
Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends....." (Emerson, Lake & Palmer.....Carl Palmer
could drum so fast it wasn't like a thump thump thump, it was continuous stream of drum sound,
check him out on youtube) Posted by: humanomaly | September 24, 2008 at 07:32 PM
Humanomaly, how you been? Missed your post yesterday so just catching up. Yeah Oscar was
a great one but you guys almost got me convinced that Magic was the GOAT. Personally I
lean towards Wilt, but as long as the GOAT is a Laker that's all that matters. As for Sun. I just
have this feeling much as I had with SILK, that he's is going to be a smooth really good player.
Good posting with you. D@mn it seems like the closer Preseaon gets the longer it seems
to take. HUH? Well you know what I mean LOL!
Posted by: Mamba24 | September 25, 2008 at 04:45 AM
Shum -
I'm actually quite fascinated with the history. Can you tell us a bit more about where Sun Yue is from and about the historical/cultural significance of his region?
All of this is really interesting!
- Cali-P
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | September 25, 2008 at 07:09 AM
Good morning CRUE!!
You gotta love this blog - we cover the gamut of not just what's going on with the Lakers, but Chinese history too??!!! Sweet!
Does anyone know how to solve the financial crisis? Maybe the committee should be checking in here for ideas! LOL!
Countdown to training camp.....It can't come soon (Sun) enough!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | September 25, 2008 at 07:58 AM
To build on what Shum wrote, the phonics were given to us as "Soon", and "You-a." Of course, he'd like to be called Q, which is pronounced "Q."
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | September 25, 2008 at 08:01 AM
Caliphilosopher,
Here's the province where Sun Yue is from: Heibei.
http://tinyurl.com/4n4ucx
Like everything in China, it has a long history and has been invaded lots of times from the north.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | September 25, 2008 at 08:03 AM
Well, I'm glad that BK gained a favorable impression of Sun Yue and that he "seems like a good kid." I also like the fact that Sun Yue seems to be free of malignant narcissism and seems to have his head on straight.
Even Sun Yue seems to recognize he's been over-hyped ("I'm an average player" and "My body is too skinny for NBA."); however he seems to be humbly ready to improve and that is a very good sign.
Training camp starts very, very soon.
Thank God. The long dark starless night that is baseball season will soon be replaced by something that is actually fun to watch.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | September 25, 2008 at 08:08 AM
Shum,
" the so-called Chinese food here in America are NOT Chinese food at all
Posted by: Shum | September 24, 2008 at 10:25 PM"
True, back in the mid 80's, my immediated family decided to venture into a business, so we followed the rest of out family, over 20 Chinese Buffet restaurants amongst aunts and uncles, so we did one, Chinese food for American people, no eel, or tripe, just the stuff that they love, sweet and sour pork, broccoli beef, etc., some stuff, I did not even know what it was at first...made some money, but very hard work to be successful.
Good day, all....
hman,
Thanks Dave M. for filling in my mental blank.
& Happy Birthday to ME!!!!!
Posted by: humanomaly | September 25, 2008 at 08:26 AM
hmmm...a young 7 footer center along with a young 6'9 point guard...you know what they say, history always repeats itself...
Posted by: GOB-Tree | September 25, 2008 at 08:34 AM
*
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUMANOMALY BANDWAGON
*
(01) MAMBA24 - Driver
Posted by: Mamba24 | September 25, 2008 at 08:41 AM
humanomaly,
Happy Birthday, brother!
Your birthday present? Training camp!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | September 25, 2008 at 08:44 AM
Sohl Kim's point about humility in Asian culture is well taken. Asians rate themselves worse in math than us and blow us away. We think we're all that and suck.
Another beautiful moment came when he said he wanted to make the coach's decision to hire him look right. That is a very confucian pov.
PS I asked my class here in NYC this morning if anyone had heard of Sun Yue. No one had. I have no idea what is wrong with these people out here.
GOOOooOOOO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | September 25, 2008 at 08:51 AM
Shum,
I've heard better theories about Chinese Buddhist monks coming to Central America much earlier than 1421 (like a thousand years earlier). There's even been suggestions that Guatemala was named after Guatanama Buddha. And you can see sudden shifts in Central American art that seem HIGHLY influenced by Chinese Buddhist art. There are suggestions that many of the Great Central American societies formed out of this Native Central American/Chinese cultural contact.
The name of the monk who lead the sea expedition East to America, but never returned to China was Fusang.
http://tinyurl.com/4ez7ka
Regarding the "1421 Discovery of America" by the Chinese, I don't believe it. I haven't seen any reasonable evidence to support it and the Chinese tended to go South and West in their sea journeys, not East.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | September 25, 2008 at 08:53 AM
thekobebryantblitz,
The military rocket was invented by China and thoroughly used by India long before it was adopted by Germany.
If you are talking about a long-range rocket that could be used between countries, as opposed to across multi-mile wide battlefields? Then, yes, Germany was first. If you are talking about the military use of rockets, China was definitely first and then greatly improved upon by India.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | September 25, 2008 at 08:57 AM