Lakers need Sun Yue -- and it isn't optional
HOUSTON -- Sun Yue as the backup point guard?
Well, the Lakers may have no choice.
"Sun, I hate to put it in terms of last option, but he's kind of like the last option,'' Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said. "He's got to be an option for us to go to and work with him out there on the floor.''
The Lakers knew they might be forced to use Sun on Tuesday night in Houston against the Rockets because Sasha Vujacic, who had been playing some as the backup point guard, was still in Los Angeles recovering from back spasms. The Lakers also still don't have regular backup point guard Jordan Farmar, recovering from surgery on his left knee.
The Lakers already have seen starting guard Derek Fisher's minutes increase to almost 39 a game in the last 11 games since Farmar went down. That's too many for the 34-year-old Fisher.
So don't be surprised to see Sun on the court against the Rockets.
-- Broderick Turner
Photo: Sun Yue celebrates after scoring his first NBA points on Dec. 7 against the Milwaukee Bucks at Staples Center. Credit: Kevork Djansezian / Associated Press
