Sun Yue: The Lakers' Buster Keaton
For those not familiar with the comedy legend (he's basically before the entire blogosphere's time), Keaton made his name off a blend of physical comedy and deadpan expression. And while I can't speak intelligently about Sun Yue's pratfall prowess, I witnessed today the rookie's ability to express "Dude..." while moving nary a facial muscle. After practice ended, Sasha Vujacic got in a little work from the downtown line, then parked himself behind a backboard and tried hitting a high archer from the wrong side of the street. After eight attempts, Vujacic finally got one to fall, which prompted him to up the ante and recreate the mega-long hook shot he recently dropped while being goaded on by Kobe Bryant.
Deep breath. Distance measured. Basketball flung....
... Basketball rolling to the other side of the gym after failing to even graze the backboard.
Cue a priceless blank stare at Vujacic from a nearby Sun, who didn't need a word to communicate, "You know I gotta gather up all these misses, right?" Luckily for Sun, Vujacic's well-documented stubbornness was kept in check and after another five or six misses, The Face decided to call it an afternoon. But we media types were all rolling at the Chinese import's hilariously stone-faced exasperation.
Know who else is rolling these days? Your Lakers, 4-0 and boasting a point differential of about 100,000 a week and change into the season. But starting Sunday, the Lakers not only face their first real "test" team in the Houston Rockets, but their first tough stretch of games, what with the Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Hornets, and Detroit Pistons on the schedule within seven days time. "It definitely doesn't get any easier," smiled Trevor Ariza of the squads looking to take the Lakers down a peg.
Do the Lakers view the ratcheted competition as a chance to look themselves in the mirror? Yes, depending on what they're trying to discover within the reflection. BK and I talked during our recent 710 ESPN podkast (a day can never feature too much self-pimping, huh?) about how a loss this early reveals nothing iron clad about a team's playoff chances come April, a sentiment echoed by Kobe Bryant. "It's tough to learn too much about yourself right now at this time of the year." But having said that, I do think a win can provide at least a glimpse of a team's potential, which is why the Lakers seem more curious than stressed about whatever results lie ahead. Said Ariza, "We're gonna see where we sit and where we stand as a team and how we can improve on getting getter to reach our goal."
Obviously, the goal referenced is the Lawrence O'Brien trophy, an achievement that requires a season's worth of focus. And when your week has been markedly light on games, it's easy to worry about complacency. Thus, Kobe has reminded everyone that the chance to improve never stops presenting itself, even while spending most of your time in El Segundo. "That's our message for the week," Bryant said. "We can either be good or we can be great. This is the time that we can really use to get better."
For Lamar Odom, the Houston game provides not only a chance to test the team's internal fortitude and forge a collective identity, but a trip down Memory Lane, a street that runs through Queens, New York. Odom and Ron Artest grew up playing against each other and their chances to continue on the world's biggest stage is a blast ... and then some. "It's more than fun," Odom said. "It's like, special. I've known Ron since I was 12, 13. Elton Brand as well. I guess that's always special for everyone in our neighborhood to see us play against each other for I don't know how many times. It's special for the borough of Queens. We're representing them." All those people, plus a great personal history. "We still remain friends. I don't think that'll ever change."
Finally, Josh Powell may be playing on a contract partially guaranteed, but he -- along with Sun -- has officially "made" the Toyota Center hallway. As you head toward the gym, there's a series of framed pics of every current Laker. Up until now, Coby Karl's picture remained fixed at the end of the row, with Powell and Sun nowhere to be seen. But today I noticed Mom's only interview subject has vacated his space, replaced by the two newest Lakers. As Bruce Willis said in "Die Hard," "Welcome to the party, pal(s)!"
AUDIO
- Phil Jackson: Download phil_jackson_11.7.08.mp3
- Trevor Ariza: Download trevor_ariza_11.07.08.mp3
- Pau Gasol: Download pau_gasol_11.7.08.mp3
- Lamar Odom: Download lamar_odom_11.7.08.mp3
- Kobe Bryant: Download kobe_bryant_11.7.08.mp3
AK
Sasha should still continue to work on his jumpers. They haven't been dropping in as much as they did last year due to his ankle injury. As much as it is cool and fun for him to shoot crazy shots, he needs to continue to work on shooting jumpers until he has his rhythm from last year again.
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | November 07, 2008 at 05:22 PM
Does Coby get to keep his photo?
Posted by: FrostyFreeze | November 07, 2008 at 05:26 PM
ABOUT THE LAKERS DEFENSE…
Does the Lakers pressing and trapping perimeter defense backed by a strong side zone remind you of Ben Howland’s UCLA defense? It would be extremely interesting to hear what former Bruin players Jordan Farmar and Trevor Ariza have to say about the similarities and differences between the two defenses – and the two coaches.
What I like about the defense is that it is an active and aggressive rather than a passive defense, which I think really is a great fit for the talents and personalities of the Lakers players. It takes maximum advantage of the team’s size, length, speed, and athleticism as well as the gambling nature of the team’s players. And the beauty of it is that it fits perfectly with the enhanced transition game that Phil introduced last year at Tex’s urging. It is a defense that truly jump starts the Lakers offense with steals and turnovers.
Best of all, the new defense incorporates aspects of the Spurs long time outstanding defensive strategy designed to prevent 3-point shooting and layups with a combination of pressing perimeter defense combined with size and length of Drew to protect the rim. Unlike the Celtics seal-the-lane, sagging and collapsing defense that tries to turn other teams into jump shooting teams, the Lakers defense is based on protecting the 3-point line and the rim, forcing other teams to shoot more mid-range shots.
The defense has also greatly benefited from its systematic approach, meaning the players now have an overall defensive strategy and system that eliminates much of the decision making on how to guard opposing players in specific situations. We no longer see players tentatively trying to decide whether to play their man straight up or to shaded left or right. Instead, everybody knows exactly what to do, which is why our rotations now work.
The commitment by Kobe to be the team’s Doberman defensive stopper ala the Olympics combined with the addition of Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza and the realization by the Lakers coaches and players that they need to play defense to win the championship has resulting in a complete transformation of the team’s defensive attitude and ability. This team has taken a page out of the Celtics game plan from last year and improved on it.
Listening to every Laker coach and player talk defense is a remarkable turnaround from last year. Without a doubt, Phil and his coaching staff have done a terrific job figuring out the best way to utilize the Lakers deep and talented roster to totally transform its defense, If the Lakers play this way all year long, they will dominate the league and earn Phil his first COY, Mitch his first EOY, and Kobe his first DPOY.
Of course, this is all just my personal opinion based on my own ideas and observations.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | November 07, 2008 at 05:32 PM
AK/BK....And other more informed bloggers.....
I have 2 questions ...1st..When does the D/League start?..
I want to see how Sun plays......
2nd......In the late 80s early 90s the Lakers signed a player by the name..Adrian Branch...He played over here for a couple of seasons...Has anyone seen him play and how long was he a Laker for....?
Posted by: Thirty2 | November 07, 2008 at 05:44 PM
Thirty2,
The NBDL season kicks off on Nov. 28th against the arch rival Bakersfield Blaze. I'm guessing you'll see a lot of Sun Yue during that game, along with the ones following. Can't help you with the Adrian Branch question.
AK
P.S. Full disclosure: My declaring of the Blaze as the D-Fenders' "arch rival" was a facetiously arbitrary statement. I honestly have no idea who the D-Fenders' true arch rival is, nor do I really even care if they have an arch rival. Just in case anyone was getting geared up to storm Bakersfield.
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | November 07, 2008 at 05:50 PM
And Laker Tom,
Please get your facts straight. Trevor left UCLA before Howland came to UCLA. He was still under Lavin when he played at UCLA.
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | November 07, 2008 at 05:51 PM
KL
The feud goes both ways. Its not ONLY Kobe's fault, can we agree on that?
I understand that you wanna defend Shaq, but theres no need, no one here has said hey Shaq sux and Kobe is the reason we had the 3peat! As for the reason Shaq has the resume you pointed out its because he and Kobe were pretty much the best 2 players in the league, he then left and teamed up with DWade and a great Miami team in which I would argue Alonzo Mourning was a better player than Shaq.
Oh and Kobe tooo has lead a team into the Finals, whats your point?
Posted by: The Big Fence Defense | November 07, 2008 at 05:53 PM
blitz,
>>>>>College Teams play zone defense. It's the trademark of the NCAA game.
>>>>>College still has an edge since they do not have the defense 3 seconds
>>>>>rule so it's actually more tougher for penetration because a big guy can
>>>>>hang in there and just contest any shot.
In a way, though, I think that having to stay out of the lane may be an advantage to the Lakers in the pro game, especially considering how fouls are called when 2 players collide. As a shot blocker protecting the rim, you’re often better off attacking from the side so you can avoid the contact you would get by staying in the middle. The Lakers perimeter defenders are also shading their men to the sideline or baseline into the trap with one big man while the other big man moves to the strong side down low to protect the rim. In a way, the Lakers are now playing a Triangle Defense, the base being the trappers and the tip being Drew protecting the rim. Upside down, the triangle is a funnel to the shot blocker.
I also think the conventional wisdom that the Lakers strong side zone is vulnerable to the pick-and-roll is wrong. Other than being ready for the picker to slip the pick when defending the pick-and-roll, I think the best way to defend the pick-and-roll is how Ben Howland does, with the trap. Howland also uses the trap to get the ball out of key opposing players hands. It takes the play away from the offense and let’s us control the action. I always prefer to be the attacker rather than the defender. This defense is an attack defense, which I love.
Why let other teams run their offense? Why not make them respond to our defense?
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | November 07, 2008 at 05:59 PM
Lakersblog Mystery Editor,
Thanks.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | November 07, 2008 at 06:00 PM
Kobe Bryant vs Spurs Man to Man Defense. Game 4 Western Conference Finals 2008
Spurs play a man to man defense under the Larry Brown defense. Pop is the coach but many of his defensive schemes he learned under Brown when they both coached at Kansas. With this defense, Pop has frustrated many teams and with Robinson's and Duncan's greatness achieved 4 titles within the last 10 years. Even without hand checking, Spurs still manage to win 2 titles. With a much improved cast Kobe goes against the battle hardened Spurs and unlike the Shaq Kobe years, he has more improved teammates around him (doesn't mean any of them are better than Shaq) since they are generally much better than Samaki Walker, Kareem Rush, and Robert Horry. This is game 4 of the 2008 WCF and to show the difference of Kobe against man to man coverage since he didn't have the same looks as he did against the Celtic zone defense. Click on the link to see the video and use the transcript below to see what what times you should pause it and see the play that the Lakers did. The video is not made by me and while I would love to make one, heck a transcript works here also no?
Link: http://tinyurl.com/6388vb
1:09-Notice how the Spurs are sending just Bruce Bowen against Kobe. In the past since Shaq was traded, Spurs sent double teams of man to man coverage against Kobe. Because of the rest of the Lakers has improved, Spurs are forced to leave their man on them instead of sending help against Kobe. Kobe really is a good shooter (not Glen Rice but still very good) and in one vs one situations he really shined. Hits the jumper in front of Bowen.
1:25-Fastbreak, Kobe is very good on those, I won't comment much on fastbreak points.
1:47-Again Kobe scores. Bowen was picked off by Gasol and he expected Kobe to drive baseline to the hoop. However Duncan did not rotate for the threat of Gasol getting an open shot should Kobe pass it. With no Bowen or Duncan, Kobe easily hits the open jumper.
1:53-Kobe hits another jumper in front of Manu. Because he isn't against Bowen, Kobe has a much easier time on offense because GINOBILI! isn't as good as Bowen on defense. He easily baites GINOBILI! into thinking he is driving and hits an easy one.
2:02-That was just a lucky shot from Derek (still very good for us). Being challenged by Parker like that and yet he hits it. I know 0.4 seconds but hey, it was still a good challenge by Parker, not much else you can do to defend it without fouling.
2:27-Kobe drives to penetrate but senses a double and backs off. However again he is on isolation against Bowen. There is no double team so Kobe hits another contested jumper in front of Bowen.
2:54- Again Manu is on Kobe instead of Bowen. Kobe has it easier for him. He drives into the paint and hits the shot with the clock winding down. Had it been against the Celtics zone defense, Finley would have came to contest the shot and Duncan would be between Kobe and Pau to prevent a pass by Kobe to Pau and still be able to contest the shot. Because it is man to man, Kobe is hardly contested and hits the easy jumper.
3:06-The Spurs in this instance all collapse on Kobe to contest his shot. Manu contests Kobe after he has blown by Bowen and Duncan is there to contest. Kobe still manages to get the layup.
3:21-Fastbreak shot, nice attempt by Kobe to stop and hit a short jumper to prevent an offensive foul.
3:25-Again Kobe is in the paint and hits a jumper in front of Bowen. It is contested very nicely by Bowen. However, the closest Spur defender besides Bowen, Oberto, doesn't even rotate over. Kobe is still able to hit the shot despite it being heavily contested.
3:39-Perfect example of trying triple teams with man to man coverage. Duncan comes over to assist Bowen and Parker goes to seal off the baseline from Kobe. Because of a lack of a zone in the middle to prevent or at least tightly contest any inside passes, Pau is wide open. Kobe easily passes it to Pau for an easy dunk.
3:49-This is just an awesome dunk. Reminds me of young Kobe dunking. Reverse 2 handed dunk.
4:04- Kobe has Udoka on him but can't drive baseline because of Duncan. However because Duncan chose to double team Kobe that leaves Pau open with Horry coming to seal him off. However Horry was guarding Lamar and Lamar at best had a 36 year old Brent Barry coming to rotate over from Sasha. This is a huge mismatch and is properly exploited. Pau passes it to Lamar for a dunk.
4:20-Spurs begin to double team Kobe. Pau's pick frees Kobe from Bowen and Duncan is forced to help out. Naturally Kobe would pass it to Pau but Horry instead rotates to get Pau. Kobe is much faster than Duncan is. He drives baseline and while the other two Spurs defenders see him coming, they oddly don't try to get in his way as a zone would and instead stay the to prevent any passes by Kobe to Jordan or Sasha. Kobe takes full advantage of this and just dunks it.
4:27-Spurs are getting desperate. When Jordan penetrates all the Spurs save for Udoka collapses. This would be natural for a zone except there is no zone to help with recovery defense. Udoka leaves Kobe to contest Sasha but he is by far way too late and even fouls Sasha for a 4 point play.
4:44-Again Spurs are sticking to man coverage. Ronny sets a pick for Kobe and Kobe is wide open. Bowen is too late with contesting the shot.
4:49-Again another pick set by Ronny for Kobe. Bowen is too far to contest the shot again. No Spur comes out to help with contesting the shot. You cannot let Kobe have these wide open shots. Most of the time he will hit them.
4:54- Lamar takes advantage of Oberto guarding him. Lamar has an advantage since he is faster than Oberto and drives into the lane. No Spur, not even Duncan nor Bowen comes to help contest Lamar's shot or drive. Not only does Lamar get the shot, he is also fouled for a 3 point play.
5:17-Tomahawk Dunk by Kobe. This was the Spurs fault and GINOBILI! poorly passes the ball to Oberto with the pick and Kobe comes over to steal the ball for the dunk.
5:36-One of the few times the Spurs does an excellent job at contesting teamwise the shot. Derek is forced to shoot over 2 Spurs defenders. Normally the shot wouldn't go in but it does. Just a good break that it went it.
If you must know that was a foul on Barry by Derek. But at the end of games it's not uncommon for the referee not to blow his whistle.
Kobe Bryant's stats vs the Spurs man to man defense:
29.3ppg on 53.9FG% (awesome for a perimeter player), 5.6rpg, 3.8apg, 2.4 T/O, 1.6 stls.
Against the "defensive might" of the Spurs, Kobe shot really well and we won 4-1. Shows that man to man defense while still effective, is losing its touch to the zone.
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | November 07, 2008 at 06:01 PM
blitz,
>>>>>Please get your facts straight. Trevor left UCLA before Howland came to UCLA.
>>>>>He was still under Lavin when he played at UCLA.
LOL. You’re right. Good job, blitz. Sure glad we got Howland. Steve was a disaster. But it would be interesting to see how Jordan compared the two defenses. What are your thoughts about similarities and differences, recognizing that we’re talking about two different universes but they are two examples of aggressive trapping defenses. I would like to hear what your thoughts on that subject.
What I find most interesting about the defense the Lakers are playing are the similarities and differences between it and the defense the Celtics deploy. Both defenses are designed to prevent penetration, the Lakers via an aggressive trap, the Celtics by sagging into the lane. Both defenses fit the skills and personalities of their players, the Lakers trapping perfect for their long and athletic players, the Celtics collapsing perfect for their rough banger players. To me, it is classic East Coast versus West Coast basketball, but this time on defense.
When I watch the Lakers defense work with the waves of tall, long, fast, and athletic players they throw at you, it’s like the Lakers took the Celtics pushing, grabbing, and shoving defense and turbo charged it into a dynamic machine that eats up other teams’ offenses. Even scarier is the fact that this group of guys has shown the ability and teamwork to make a system called the Triangle Offense run to perfection. Think what they are going to be like once they really get this Triangle Defense down? Triangle Offense and Defense! Wow!
JMNSHO. LOL.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | November 07, 2008 at 06:15 PM
Laker Tom (last post before I got a meeting),
1st It's 1-2-2 trapping zone defense. NOT the Triangle defense.
2nd Our teams are aggressive but aren't forcing too much turnovers. Instead it is forcing perimeter shots or contested mid range jumpers/contested near the rim shots. It's basically getting the other out of their comfort zones.
and 3rd. Big man in the paint without 3 second violation is always an advantage. With a dominant defender there the opposite team is more likely to shoot perimeter shots instead of forcing down low. Because Defensive 3 seconds, like the Lakers coaches said, they cannot put a 3rd defender in the paint to protect it more thus it's a bit weaker more defensively than it was without defensive 3 seconds.
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | November 07, 2008 at 06:21 PM
Is there any way we can get Crit back? Would Memphis be willing to take Sun or a 1st round pick for him? I thought Crit had huge upside and the potential to be better than Farmar eventually.
Posted by: EJK | November 07, 2008 at 06:59 PM
LTLF,
I watched parts of the Portland game last night, and Rudy Fernandez did look impressive. Do you think he'll be as good as Ginobili? It looks like he's a better shooter than Manu, but not as good of a ballhandler and slasher right now.
Posted by: EJK | November 07, 2008 at 07:11 PM
It's ironic that while Kwame is playing about 12 minutes per game for the Pistons. Crit hasn't got off the Memphis bench even once this year.
Last year I wrote a post suggesting that Crit would end up being a player of approximately the same value as Jamal Crawford (same position - different strengths - same talent level). If he can't get off the Memphis bench I must have overestimated his abilities. Either that or Conley and Lowry are way better than I think they are.
Posted by: giantsquid | November 07, 2008 at 08:00 PM
AK...Thanks for the info on the D-Fenders....The other question about Adrian Branch stems from a book i am reading about a local player over here..In the chapter im up to the author writes about imports playing in Australia at that point in time,and his name was mention along with caption former LA LAKER...It mentions he was taken with the 36th pick by the Pistons then traded...While he played here he had a couple of ripper games but was later released due to some ego problems,and at one point the coach at the time was sacked for starting him on the bench because of that problem...The book also mentions that a touring team came over for some pre season games..That team was Arizona and its point guard was Damon (mighty mouse)Stoudamire ..The coach was Lute Olson........Thanks again......
Posted by: Thirty2 | November 07, 2008 at 08:14 PM
How long before Marion wants out.?....4 points,7 rebounds and 4 steal in 39mins
Posted by: Thirty2 | November 07, 2008 at 08:21 PM
Giant Squid,
The situation with Javaris in Memphis is interesting. He isn't playing at all, but they also picked up his option and, from what I've read, aren't looking to trade him, so it seems like they haven't lost hope in him. The problem is that he's on a very guard heavy team, with two of the guys ahead of him (Mayo, Conley) top five picks that the team obviously wants to invest in. Lowry isn't spectacular, but he's steady and Quinton Ross is their designated "stopper." It doesn't leave a ton of opportunity for the Critter. But I don't think they're necessarily "down" on him, although I imagine he wouldn't mind getting traded.
As for Kwame, his minutes have jumped a bit since they traded Dice. He didn't crack the ten minute mark before that deal and he might see the PT shrink again if Dice comes back (as rumored). I've watched some Pistons quarters and he's looked very similar to what we've seen before. Some scattered great moments on D (he had a sequence against Toronto iso'ed for about five seconds against Chris Bosh where the All-Star couldn't get anything done) and scattered train wreck moments on offense, which round out to... "Kwame." And like I figured when they signed him, his PT has also been very matchup dependent as well.
It's actually a very good situation for Kwame, because nothing is really "needed" from him. If he can succeed in a specific role, it's gravy. If not, the Pistons will be fine.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | November 07, 2008 at 08:39 PM
LO Ron stopper?
No way Ron intimidates with LO and Kobe on the floor. Old school respect. Advantage Lakers.
Posted by: VMan | November 07, 2008 at 08:48 PM
giantsquid,
I think Crittendon is a fantastic talent, but he not only has to fight through a guard heavy lineup with Conley, Mayo, and Lowry, but he has to compete against guys that the franchise invested high draft picks and money in. All things equal they are going to give those guys burn first if only to show they feel they made a good pick.
I would have no problem bringing Crittendon back at any time. I think he's got the size, athletic ability and skill to be a very good guard in this league. And if I'm not mistaken, the kid is probably 20 years old. Even I wasn't washed up then.
Posted by: Andrew Z | November 07, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Ironically Marion felt underrated, and underappreciated in Phoenix.
Now he can be the "man" kind of...and not so good.
GO Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | November 07, 2008 at 09:03 PM
Blitz/LakerTom...
Ariza played Howland's first year at UCLA
http://tinyurl.com/68budv
Posted by: lakers_sth | November 07, 2008 at 09:31 PM
Watching the Denver-Dallas game I can only come to one conclusion...
We need the Birdman back in the dunk contest.
Posted by: lakers_sth | November 07, 2008 at 09:36 PM
Certainly not apropos of anything I've read in this thread (from ex-Lakers to Old Stone Face) but I've been watching the Denver/Dallas game and it's been a pretty good one, especially the second half. Billups seems to be fitting in pretty easily... it feels like more of a team effort.
Posted by: dave m | November 07, 2008 at 09:55 PM
Parker out with a sprained ankle?
The NBA...
Where attrition happens.
Posted by: lakers_sth | November 07, 2008 at 09:56 PM
The thing with Marion is..and its not good for him,is Wade saying he wants the ball in his hands more...I feel a trade comming
Posted by: Thirty2 | November 07, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Lakertom,
Yeah, you were right the first time, Trevor Ariza played for Ben Howland in UCLA, even though it was the hack Steve Lavin who recruited Trevor. I guess Ariza wasn't too fond of Howland since he left only after one year, even though he only got a guaranteed second round contract with the Knicks.
Anyway, Howland used the perimeter trapping with the one of the bigs and the main defender extensively during the year he went to the title game. It was pretty successful since the UCLA frontcourt was pretty agile back then as well as having a legit 7-footer (Hollins), which is similar to what the Lakers have now. But then again, the Lakers' version uses some elements of zone defense. Howland never uses zone because he believes that a proper executed man-to-man works just as well.
Posted by: RAC | November 07, 2008 at 10:13 PM
The Nugs look like a much more cohesive unit one game into the Chauncey Era. Or the latest version of it, at least. More organized on both ends. I didn't have them in the playoffs when the season started, but I think they put themselves back in it now, assuming their fragile frontline stays healthy.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | November 07, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Hornets, Suns, and Spurs all lose tonight...
Ahhh, it feels nice being a Laker fan.
Lamar = 6th man of the year
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | November 07, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Just got back and read the other thread...
Sorry Jamie, wrong read on your first name. I will say 10 times as penance, Jamie is a man. LOL
KL, you are back and nothing new still posterizing Kobe while Mike T all praises for Kwame on the bench. LakerTom is now quiet on Sun Yue. Once he finds his range and gets comfortable with NBA Sun Yue, his best game will be similar to Tayshaun Prince or Brent Barry.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 07, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Hi. Long time reader, first time "classic blog" poster. (I joined the live blog last week. It was great!). This would be my hello world posting.
Want to say this blog is great and it provides my daily Lakers news cravings. More than the news, which we can get from many other sports sites, I like the very insightful Lakers analysis by the KBros and my fave posters - LakerTom, EdwinGueco, and JonK. Sometimes when I don't have much time to read all the postings, I simply do a CTRL-F and look for these names. AK/BK I think are doing an excellent job at being moderators of this blog, and are funny as well with their commentaries.
I'm from Singapore, and was happy to visit LA last Dec 2007. Can't leave LA without watching a Lakers game. And fortunately and maybe unfortunately, what I watched was a no-contest game against Utah last Dec 28. Kobe and the Lakers were amazing. I was hoping for a close and exciting game, yet a Utah thumping is good enough.
First and only time I bought an NBA jersey. I realized everyone at Staples were wearing Kobe's. So I decided to buy the jersey of my other favorite player - Ronny Turiaf. Turiaf as a Laker didn't last long though, and mine now is just a memory of Laker Lionheart.
Ok. That was more than just a helloworld. Keep up the good posts everyone!
Posted by: qs | November 07, 2008 at 10:50 PM
i know u guys are a little low on sun yue.. but i have seen some of his games.. not highlights on youtube..but full games.. and the guy is gonna be a solid to good NBA player.. one thing i liked about him was his transition defense, this guy can run back and block a lay-up easy! Its gonna be interesting watching him develop bcoz i believe he can cause a lot of match up problems..
Posted by: laker guru from india | November 07, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Thirty2,
Branch played for the Lakers in 1986-87.
Anna
Posted by: Anna in Bondi | November 07, 2008 at 11:23 PM
tony parker just got injured.... think the spurs might want coby karl?!?
Posted by: empralaka | November 07, 2008 at 11:50 PM
Anna in Bondi.......Thanks for the info....If your from Bondi Sydney,its a very nice place to spend summer....I just spent a week in Sydney for a cycling training camp...
Posted by: Thirty2 | November 08, 2008 at 12:16 AM
here's to Sun putting 15 lbs of muscle and launching J's with The Face instead of picking up loose balls.
to AK/BK: being around the team, what's your impression on Sun's work ethic?
Posted by: sixonezero | November 08, 2008 at 04:14 AM
qs,
Thanks for your props and I made your list despite my misgivings on missing words, hanging sentences, I myself I sometimes don't understand what I'm talking about. Anyway, I put across the thoughts. I hope you post more and tell us how Singapore hoops, I know you can avail of ESPN, how do you watch our local telecast here on KCal.
There is a good artlcle today of LA Times about Kobe, this will increase another Kobe-talk postings. Joe Crawford will join the D League, how about Sun Yue? I guess he should to keep his properly tune-up rather than watching the brick shots of Sasha.
Lastly, I know many of you here in this blog are suffering from the joblessness that reflect the endemic funk in the closing of several businesses. Just keep your high hopes in check, get any kind of job or start small business that will mean survival for the next wild 6 months. I'm sure we can overcome this crisis and be in a better state.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 08, 2008 at 07:21 AM
By the way, I also read on yesterday rumors on hoopshype that our former scrub, Brian Cook is unhappy sitting on the bench w/ Magic. Hmmn, he moved from one bench to another from Disneyland to Disneyworld, I think he prefers the Lakers bench which are more expensive than the one in Orlando. If only Brian can jump, run, block shots, at 6'10" he will always find a team that will play him. Problem is that when he is on the floor, offensively. there are 5 players and defensively, it is only 4 1/2, the other half could not move his feet in tune with his opponent's speed, that will not work in the professional league. This is no longer college hoops, they're being paid to play good basketball as entertainers.
With their millions, some players have issues with their coaches like Harrington against Nellie, Starbury against all Knicks whether Brown/Thomas now Antonini. McDyess refuses to play with Denver Nuggets. What don't you like living in Aspen, Colorado? That's a paradise out there. These guys should be exposed in the unemployment lines and make them realize the value of W-O-R-K! Our player Luke Walton has a lot to say about other players in yesterdays's issue. he appears to be the go-to-guy when it comes to player analysis, like a priest - "Do what I say but don't do what I do" LOL!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 08, 2008 at 07:41 AM
mrbarneydangles,
Dude, the Hornets lost to the BOBCATS! THE BOBCATS!
San Antonio and Phoenix got their butts handed to them by Eastern Conference teams!
{Cue wild maniacal laughter.}
What a wonderful day.
Lakers Today. Lakers Tomorrow. Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 08, 2008 at 08:09 AM
mrbarneydangles,
Oh. I forgot.
Lamar Odom = 6th Man of the Year
Lakers Today. Lakers Tomorrow. Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 08, 2008 at 08:11 AM
BK,
Ummm.... yeah! Chauncey Billups is a quality player and a leader. Allen Iverson is a shockingly talented cancer. What did you expect?
Lakers Today. Lakers Tomorrow. Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 08, 2008 at 08:13 AM
the big defense (& KL),
you wrote: no one here has said hey Shaq sux and Kobe is the reason we had the 3peat!
my response: Shaq sucks! The fat man could have won
6 - 7 tittles with the Lakers, but he refused to work on
his game and keep himself in condition. It is a matter of
"HISTORICAL RECORD" that he called out Jerry Buss
asking for more money. Jerry Buss, Shaq & Kobe have
all said that Kobe did not cause Shaq to leave. [ I
acknowledge that Kobe didn't try to keep him. I believe
it is documented, thru the media, that Kobe found out
after it was too late. KL, you have a conspiracy theory
mindset and nothing that the history books say will
ever convince you otherwise. ]
The reason why Kobe is responsible for the 3peat: Shaq
can't make free throws! Who was making shots at the
end of the games? Who couldn't win a championship with Penny Hardaway? Who got schooled by Hakeem?
Shaq is an incredibly large man who is a gifted athlete.
Unfortunately, the Big Dunce, squandered his
opportunities by not working on his game, Owning a
minority stake in Frito-Lays & Krispy Kreame donuts,
making horrendously bad movies and albums & thowing
former teams and teammates under the bus.
I am truly tired of the praises sung about the Big
Soundbite, when his basketball resume is less than a
"wet fart from a dead pidgeon" when compared to
Kareem, or Wilt or Russell.
Consider this: espn ranks Shaq as 5th on the all time
list of centers. He got schooled by Hakeem who is
6th. I didn't say beat. I said "schooled". He actually
cried from that whippin'! Kobe is considered to be
the 2nd best shooting guard behind MJ and in front of
Jerry West. Everyone will tell you that Shaq is hard
to contain in the paint. None of his competitors have
ever said Shaq is better than them. The flip side of
this: Larry Bird, Magic, LeBron, Barkley etc. have all said
Kobe is the best in the game. Pierce disagrees. :)
When will you people learn? It's not just about physical
gifts. It's about the spirit that propels the player! The
Fat Man couldn't even remain a VOLUNTEER COP!
he has the soul of a cretin. Yes, I'm aware that
he has helped children. The sun even shines on a dogs
butt some days.
He's a loser! He sucks! He's a pompous anal sphincter!
[ BK, I hope you appreciate the lack of profanity here. ]
Posted by: hobbitmage | November 08, 2008 at 08:15 AM
The "real" season's coming up, guys.
We've got Houston, Dallas, New Orleans and Detroit in the next five games.
I can't wait to beat them.
I wonder if Michael Teniente will come back for the gametime thread against Detroit.
"Detroit's down because they're limiting Kwame Brown's minutes! IDIOTS!"
Lakers Today. Lakers Tomorrow. Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 08, 2008 at 08:19 AM
AK/BK
Turner's report in the TImes:
"Come to work and work hard ever day"
"He was ready to talk about greatness just yet."
Blog typos are understandable, but it's creeping into the real world more and more.
Has spell check infected journalism? Or have the immediate deadlines made for more errors than the old fashioned proof read method?
I'd assume both, and it's not limited to sports. Typos be poppin' up all ova.
Posted by: VMan | November 08, 2008 at 08:26 AM
Mike Bresnahan's article in the L.A. Times makes no mention of Maurice "Mighty Mo" Evans. I wonder why.
Lakers Today. Lakers Tomorrow. Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 08, 2008 at 08:30 AM
AK & BK:
Wow, a great "stone-face" reference! Is there anything you guys aren't experts on? A moment of silence for Buster Keaton, who was destroyed by the advent of sound and crushed by the studio system, but not before making some of the greatest silent comedies of all time, including "The General." Keaton was a genius and, for my money, way better than Chaplin.
Posted by: Marty | November 08, 2008 at 08:36 AM
Good morning, Lakers family,
Wow, the Spurs looked pretty out of sorts last night. With Parker's injury, it's easy to forget that they looked bad BEFORE he got hurt. They weren't winning that game with or without him.
Sure makes me appreciate the depth of the Lakers bench.
KL,
Wasn't trying to be harsh with you, bro. And I understand your point about rewriting history. But I think that Kobe has worked hard to make himself a better man, and I don't think Shaq has done that at all. Did I love it when Shaq was in LA? Hell, yeah. Am I happy he's gone? Yep.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | November 08, 2008 at 08:41 AM
qs,
Welcome to Laker Nation!
Keep posting!
Mamba24! Get him on the roll call!
Lakers Today. Lakers Tomorrow. Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 08, 2008 at 08:43 AM
Has there ever been a 1-2 conbination like Kwame Brown and Allen Iverson?
Posted by: exhelodrvr | November 08, 2008 at 09:07 AM
"The Suns coaching staff decided to rest Shaquile O'Neil for the Bulls game"
Oh my -- it really is over.
Posted by: HmrHed | November 08, 2008 at 09:19 AM