SPORTS> China
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SPORTS> China
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Lakers point guard Sun figures to be in shape with triangle
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-09-25 16:15 The many intricacies of the Lakers' triangle offense have baffled more than one rookie guard over the years, denting their confidence and keeping them pinned to the bench as more experienced players seized more playing time.
Sun Yue doesn't expect to be another one of those confused rookies when training camp opens Tuesday morning at the Lakers' El Segundo practice facility. He believes he has a distinct advantage over other newcomers. "The Lakers were always my favorite team," he said during his introductory news conference Wednesday afternoon. "When I started to play professional basketball, when I was, like, 15 years old, I started to watch the Lakers' games, watching the triangle offense. I saw the triangle offense, so I think I know something about it." That said, Sun, a 6-foot-9 point guard from China, doesn't expect to play his way past veteran Derek Fisher. He also said he doesn't expect to take significant minutes away from Fisher's backup, Jordan Farmar. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said Sun, a second-round pick in the 2007 draft who signed a two-season contract Aug. 26, would have "to earn his way onto this club." Sun did not disagree. "I'm a rookie, so my goal is to practice hard and do everything the coach (Phil Jackson) wants," Sun said when asked what he expects to accomplish this season. "It's my first year, I am a rookie and I cannot ask for too much." When a reporter jokingly asked if Sun expected to average 30 minutes per game this season, the 23-year-old said, "I hope, but to be honest I don't think it's possible." Sun said his biggest adjustment to the NBA game will be playing against bigger bodies than he did while playing the past three seasons with the Beijing Aoshen Olympians of the American Basketball Association. He hopes to add weight. "I think it is my body, because my body is too skinny for the NBA," said Sun, who is listed at 205 pounds. |
