The L.A. Daily News is reporting that the Lakers have agreed to terms with Chinese draft pick Sun Yue, aka “The Chinese Magic Johnson.”
Sun, known as the Chinese Magic Johnson because of his eye-catching playmaking ability, will face his future teammate Kobe Bryant when China plays the United States on Sunday in the Olympic Games opener in Beijing.
The Lakers drafted the 6-foot-9, 212-pound Sun in the second round in 2007. He spent last season with Aoshen, his Beijing club team, and also played with the Chinese National team in preparation for the Olympics.
In addition, he played with China in the Las Vegas Summer League in 2007.Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said in June that he would make it a priority to sign Sun and bring him to training camp.
Sun’s signing gives the Lakers increased depth in the backcourt heading into camp. He will compete with starting point guard Derek Fisher and backup Jordan Farmar for playing time. He also can play shooting guard.
We’re sure Lakers fans will have a better opinion of him after watching him have to deal with Mamba, Flash and CP3 on Sunday morning.
Source: L.A. Daily News
August 8th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
dagwaller says:
I’ve only read a little bit about him - mixed reviews on how his game would translate to the NBA. That’s some serious size at the PG position, though. With him and Kobe on the court at the same time, it’ll be tough for opposing guards to get shots off, you’d think.
August 8th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Celts Fan says:
all I know is the last guy to get any Magic comparisons is the same guy we’re laughing at today for turning down a guaranteed deal. Let’s hope for Sun’s knees that that’s the only similarity between the 2.
August 8th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
shake&bake says:
Sunday should show if he will be able to be a factor in the League or not.
August 8th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Michorizo says:
Chinese Magic in the league? What next Mexican Vodoo?
August 8th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Scott says:
If he can ball in the NBA, that could potentially give the Lakers to biggest lineup 1 thru 5 in the league. I think Kobe is something like 6′6-6′8, the rest of the lineup wouldn’t be under 6′9, thats pretty damn big.
August 8th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
JA says:
Keep D-Fish out there, move Kobe to the 3, and generally do ANYTHING to keep Radmonovic off the floor
August 8th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
AY says:
forget chinese magic johnson, can we get a midget shaq o’neal at somepoint?
August 8th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
shake&bake says:
I’m waiting for the Antarctic MJ
August 8th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
subrock says:
I want a white larry bird.
August 8th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Luigi says:
upp the ASIAN POWER!!
sun yue. the greatest chinese PG EVER!
n thats not sayin much lol
u got time to proove youngblood
August 8th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
shake&bake says:
I remember reading on here that China didn’t have any good guards to get the ball to Yao. That doesn’t say too much about this guy.
August 8th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
JarrJohnson says:
@Michorizo
“Mexican Vodoo?” You a fool for that…
After watchin that highlight package, one thing is apparent: He can fill it up. I only saw a couple of dimes tho’. It’ll be interesting to watch on Sunday morning when they sic the Doberman on him….
August 8th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
doc says:
I dont think this game will prove much.Olympic style is different.Like them dudes from Greece is a good team here but they would get crushed in a NBA game.I would have to see him in the league.
August 8th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
He won’t have to be a star on the loaded Lakers so he won’t have any pressure. Plus other than NY there’s not a better place for an Asian athlete than LA. If he plays D in the NBA like on this video he could eventually be a good role player at the least.
August 8th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
karizmatic says:
Looks more like Chinese Jordan to me, maybe Chinese Kobe? I saw one pass in the whole clip, how is that Magic? We’ll see if he can actually play in the league, if he can do any of that in the league the Lakers will be a serious problem.
August 8th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Ta!ented says:
Idk bout a chinese magic but he got skills
August 8th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Godzilla says:
ehhh. that’s it?? his game is YMCA at best. nigga please.
August 8th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
daquest?on says:
he justs gets those comparisons because hes tall..i could do all that shit he just did its just im not that tall
August 8th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
dagwaller says:
Good point, doc.
August 8th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
dagwaller says:
Ha, Godzilla, your YMCA must be a LOT different than mine.
August 8th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Homeless J says:
Chinese Magic Johnson is a shitty nickname. yeah he’s 6′9″ and a point guard but that’s about where the similarities end. plus it’s too long of a nickname and it doesn’t have a ring to it. something like Chinese Algebra would be better. DUDE’S HARDER (to guard) THAN CHINESE ALGEBRA!
or if you wanna go mid to late 80’s pro wrestling… the ORIENTAL EXPRESS.
August 8th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
frankie says:
Haha, Homeless, that’s pretty good.
August 8th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
the mamba says:
I was wondering bout this dude. Suprised they didn’t jus sign livingston. I haven’t heard any good reviews about him when china plays. But it would be a dream come true if we rolled out with a 6′9
Pg
Yue 6′9
Kobe 6′7
Odom 6′10
Gasol 7ft
Bynum 7ft
That’s scary if ur another team trying to get a rebound
August 8th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Mark says:
Homeless J- Joking or not, there’s no difference between ‘Chinese’ Algebra and ‘American’ Algebra. Algebra isn’t territorially exclusive. But pretty imaginative nickname.
I wouldn’t put my hopes and dreams on this guy, but he looks mediocre enough.
August 8th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Bruce says:
Force him right, that GOOK is a lefty.
August 8th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Bruce says:
Chinese Jordan - Bitch please
August 8th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Three Stacks says:
I think Bruce got his girl stolen by an Asian cat, dude sounds bitter as hell.
He’s not that great. As far as PG skills, the video doesn’t prove much. I heard the guy can play, though.
So far, most of the Chinese players have been pretty disappointing, except Yao. Jury’s still out on Yi.
August 8th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
sunni says:
hes too slow but can probably see over guys like paul and kidd…although paul will burn him out of his shorts onthe other side…cp13 baby
August 8th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
florida_evans says:
I’m looking for a Cablinasian rapper son.
August 9th, 2008 at 4:54 am
bballer1984 aka king ralf says:
I don´t think he´s quick enough to deal with NBA guards defensively. But probably he´s big enough to stop at least 2nd tier guards.
On the offensive end i hope his game translates well to the Nba. But with NBA guards keeping a high level of pressure on opposing guards he better has good ballhandling. Would be nice to see another chinese player aside from Yao representing his country.
As a german i like seeing a guard in international play who dunks on fast breaks *g* our backcourt is i think the worst of all in the olympics.
August 9th, 2008 at 4:56 am
fLaVa says:
@ Bruce
Gook is a derogatory term to describe Koreans not Chinese you ignorant fool.. know your facts before you say something stupid
August 9th, 2008 at 7:18 am
kamikaze says:
does anyone know the name and artist of the song in the video? Please let me know!
August 9th, 2008 at 7:54 am
AB_40 says:
haha he definetly ain’t no magic maybe in that leauge but that is terribel he was so so in the diamond ball tournament and you’ll see sunday his ball handling ain’t up to par definetly not for the nba level… at the point? no way. He’s a shoe in for that D-league team of them except when they play new jersey or houston cuzz it’s all about the ratings(money)
August 9th, 2008 at 10:04 am
joe says:
O.K. ,firrst anyone who is a player would know that if you can play ,you can play.when I was in high school I played with some NBA players and believe it or not 60% are just ok . They make it because they find a niche in which they build they careers on .Then maybe they become stars.Sun, if he comes here ,will have a great career and on the right team L.A.,will become a minor star (hint,Tony kucoch,detlef Shemphsasha nestaravich,rondo)excuse the spelling but I think you get my point…….
August 9th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
asmaticasiatic says:
He looked like he had some decent moves and athletic ability despite the subpar comp on the clip.probably won’t be able to take those kind of shots and dominate the ball as much with the lakers. If he’s gonna be any good will definitely have to change his game…
August 9th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Kermit The Washington says:
I recognize that voice from somewhere…..was that Romeo from Immature?! hhaha why does he keep trying?!