Posted at 1:50 PM on Fri., Jun. 25, 2010 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Eddie Sefko / Reporter Bio | E-mail | News tips
Harvard's Jeremy Lin, who apparently is trying to become the first American-born Asian to make it in the NBA, will be joining the Mavericks for mini-camp on Monday and Tuesday and, possibly, for their summer league team in Las Vegas.
The 6-5 shooter went to school at Harvard and got his fair share of notoriety - some good and some bad - for his ethnicity at Harvard.
But the guy can play, no doubt there.
He's one of several players who went undrafted Thursday night who are expected to come in to the mini-camp.
--Eddie Sefko
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Ishikawa's routine pays off in the pinch
Ron Kroichick, Chronicle Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Travis Ishikawa prepares for pinch-hitting appearances by facing fastballs off a pitching machine deep beneath AT&T Park. The pitches zoom toward him between 85 and 90 mph, a logical speed - except Ishikawa stands 25 feet away, not 60.
"That makes them look faster," he said.
The routine, which he started in mid-May, obviously is working. Ishikawa's double Monday night made him 9-for-17 (.529) as a pinch hitter this season, the highest average in the major leagues. His ninth-inning flyout Tuesday night dropped him back to .500.
Candy Maldonado owns the highest pinch-hitting average in San Francisco history, at .425 in 1986. Ishikawa hopes his success in the role elevates him into another realm.
"I still think of myself as an everyday player," he said before Tuesday night's game. "I definitely believe I can have a long career in the big leagues. As frustrating as this season has been, playing-time-wise, I'm confident it's just a bump in the road."
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Travis Ishikawa prepares for pinch-hitting appearances by facing fastballs off a pitching machine deep beneath AT&T Park. The pitches zoom toward him between 85 and 90 mph, a logical speed - except Ishikawa stands 25 feet away, not 60.
"That makes them look faster," he said.
The routine, which he started in mid-May, obviously is working. Ishikawa's double Monday night made him 9-for-17 (.529) as a pinch hitter this season, the highest average in the major leagues. His ninth-inning flyout Tuesday night dropped him back to .500.
Candy Maldonado owns the highest pinch-hitting average in San Francisco history, at .425 in 1986. Ishikawa hopes his success in the role elevates him into another realm.
"I still think of myself as an everyday player," he said before Tuesday night's game. "I definitely believe I can have a long career in the big leagues. As frustrating as this season has been, playing-time-wise, I'm confident it's just a bump in the road."
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
The Coach
taken from from the Rafu shimpo online
Edward Takahashi of Koyasan Boy Scout Troop 379, recalls his experience with UCLA coaching legend John Wooden.
Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden pictured with Edward Takahashi.
By Edward Takahashi
In 2004, a group of the present and former scouts of Koyasan Boy Scout Troop 379 gathered to plan for the Troop’s 75th Anniversary celebration in late 2006. Like everything else, nothing happens until the last minute.
A year before, I entrusted my 401K program, with what little I had, to Tetsu Tanimoto of Merrill Lynch. I’ve known Tetsu for some years, when he was playing for the Lords AA championship teams, and his daughter played in the JAO girls basketball program. In passing we talked about JA basketball, and John Wooden’s name came up. Tetsu was the Coach’s “bodyguard” at the Wooden College Basketball Player of the Year Award programs at the LA Athletic Club. He told me quite a lot of Coach Wooden.
For the 75th Anniversary, we were seeking a speaker for all ages. I called Tetsu at his office, but he was out of the city. By the end of the day, Tetsu called back, from Atlanta. I asked if he would be kind enough to ask the Coach to be our luncheon speaker. He told me that when he returned, he would call Coach with the request.
A week later, Tetsu called back to inform me that Coach John Wooden had accepted our invitation to be our luncheon speaker. I broke down with joy. One of the guys in the meeting asked if there was a problem. I replied, no. I quickly made a couple of calls to the members of the luncheon committee to inform them the Coach’s acceptance to be our keynote speaker.
As a memento of the 75th celebration, I purchased 100 copies of the Coach’s book on Leadership, for each Scoutmaster, Cub Master, Girl Scout leaders of the past 75 years, and the anniversary committee members. Several weeks before the luncheon, Tetsu made arrangements for the Coach to autograph the books.
When we arrived at his condo in Encino about 2 p.m., after he had returned from attending Sunday church services, we were greeted by Coach, waving at us from his window.
He was just getting over his brief illness from a couple of months ago, looked a little weak, but he was in great spirits. When I walked into his unit, it was like stepping into a basketball museum. There were photographs donning the walls of the Coach with his teams, basketball and other sport personalities, dignitaries, and letters and poems from his former players. He gave us a tour of his unit, room by room, slowly walking without a cane.
When I was following him, I noticed an opened box with a red and white ribbon and a silver buffalo. In 1990, Coach Wooden was a recipient of the Boy Scouts of America’s Silver Buffalo award, an honor bestowed to those persons who gave noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth. It is Scouting’s highest commendation of the invaluable contributions that outstanding Americans make to youth.
In 2003, Coach Wooden was one of the recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush.
Coach was a gracious host. As we made small talk, it was as if we were long time friends getting together. I was nervous and apprehensive in the presence of this basketball legend, but he made me feel comfortable.
We sat down at his dining table, and Coach enthusiastically autographed each book with the name of the recipient. I printed out the list of the book recipients in large type, so it would be easy for Coach to read and autograph the cover page.
Years before, I talked with Richard Banton and Kenny Booker, K/T basketball refs, both who had played for Coach Wooden. Dick and Kenny both still remember how to put their socks and shoes on to play basketball, and now to officiate basketball games. Dick gave me a gem—on Tuesdays, there was a light practice, because Coach made sure he would not miss an episode of Gunsmoke. Both consider the Coach as a father figure, a teacher of life, not just basketball. Coach remembered both of his former players.
I asked about a former Dorsey High player, Conrad Burke. Coach remarked that Connie was not as talented as some of his teammates, such as Willie Naulls, but he was a good reliable and consistent player, he could always depend upon.
Coach Wooden talked about some of his players. He was very fond of Swen Nater.
When Swen was coaching in Blythe, he asked coach to speak to his team. It was a great experience for the kids, but I sensed gratification in the Coach’s mind of how well Nater progressed as a person. Swen used to write poems and send them to him. Some of the poems were framed on his wall. Coach recited some of Swen’s poems.
When Tetsu asked Coach about his schedule, Coach replied he had to go the Reseda Post Office next week. Tetsu asked why, Coach dryly replied, they are going to name it in his honor.
When Coach Wooden asked me about his luncheon topic, his philosophy of the Pyramid of Success came up. I had always heard of the Pyramid of Success, but never saw a copy. The Coach presented me with a copy. As part of the luncheon program, we arranged for the printing of the Pyramid of Success, from a printer recommended by UCLA’s Athletic Department. Banton has his 50-year old autographed copy framed at home, as a treasured family heirloom.
We invited Coach Wooden for an early dinner. He first accepted, but I think it was too early, and he humbly declined. Marcus Tanimoto, Tetsu’s son, and his wife brought the Coach to the Luncheon at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello. When he arrived, walking with a cane, he was enthusiastically greeted by everyone.
After the introductions of guests, we had the Coach come up on the stage, seated in a chair with armrests, as he requested. The first honorees were the pre-war scouts. Some had served with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, several were members of the Military Intelligence Service, and one diminutive former scout served in BCI (Burma, China and India Theater) for OSS (Office of Strategic Services, the forerunner of the present CIA). They gathered around the Coach for a photo op.
Coach Wooden then presented his autographed Leadership books to the past Scoutmaster, Cub Masters and Girl Scout leaders or their family members, in attendance. For those that could not attend, former Eagle Scout Ernie Ikuta sent them the book, after an exhaustive search of the Internet. When Coach Wooden discussed the evolution of his Pyramid of Success, you could have heard a pin drop. There were members of the serving staff in the back and sides of the room. Everyone listened intently about the Coach’s philosophy of life. It was a momentous occasion for everyone.
At the end of the program, the Boys and Girls Scout, Cubs and their leaders got a photo op with the Coach.
After the luncheon, Coach Wooden graciously took time, for over an hour, autographing copies of his Pyramid of Success, luncheon programs and basketballs for everyone. I saw the joy in the Coach and the individual eyes, as he greeted each one and autographed an article for them.
As Coach Wooden made his way slowly to the parking lot, he was greeted by the luncheon crowd that gathered to thank him and wish him well.
Last year, I met a scouter from South Bay. Because one of our former 379 Eagle Scouts was his troop’s assistant scoutmaster, he attended the luncheon. He said that luncheon was the highlight of his scouting career.
Thanks Coach, for sharing your life with us.
= = = =
Edward K. Takahashi is the Luncheon Committee Co-Chair of Troop 379 and former Eagle Scout, 1953. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Rafu Shimpo.
Edward Takahashi of Koyasan Boy Scout Troop 379, recalls his experience with UCLA coaching legend John Wooden.
Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden pictured with Edward Takahashi.
By Edward Takahashi
In 2004, a group of the present and former scouts of Koyasan Boy Scout Troop 379 gathered to plan for the Troop’s 75th Anniversary celebration in late 2006. Like everything else, nothing happens until the last minute.
A year before, I entrusted my 401K program, with what little I had, to Tetsu Tanimoto of Merrill Lynch. I’ve known Tetsu for some years, when he was playing for the Lords AA championship teams, and his daughter played in the JAO girls basketball program. In passing we talked about JA basketball, and John Wooden’s name came up. Tetsu was the Coach’s “bodyguard” at the Wooden College Basketball Player of the Year Award programs at the LA Athletic Club. He told me quite a lot of Coach Wooden.
For the 75th Anniversary, we were seeking a speaker for all ages. I called Tetsu at his office, but he was out of the city. By the end of the day, Tetsu called back, from Atlanta. I asked if he would be kind enough to ask the Coach to be our luncheon speaker. He told me that when he returned, he would call Coach with the request.
A week later, Tetsu called back to inform me that Coach John Wooden had accepted our invitation to be our luncheon speaker. I broke down with joy. One of the guys in the meeting asked if there was a problem. I replied, no. I quickly made a couple of calls to the members of the luncheon committee to inform them the Coach’s acceptance to be our keynote speaker.
As a memento of the 75th celebration, I purchased 100 copies of the Coach’s book on Leadership, for each Scoutmaster, Cub Master, Girl Scout leaders of the past 75 years, and the anniversary committee members. Several weeks before the luncheon, Tetsu made arrangements for the Coach to autograph the books.
When we arrived at his condo in Encino about 2 p.m., after he had returned from attending Sunday church services, we were greeted by Coach, waving at us from his window.
He was just getting over his brief illness from a couple of months ago, looked a little weak, but he was in great spirits. When I walked into his unit, it was like stepping into a basketball museum. There were photographs donning the walls of the Coach with his teams, basketball and other sport personalities, dignitaries, and letters and poems from his former players. He gave us a tour of his unit, room by room, slowly walking without a cane.
When I was following him, I noticed an opened box with a red and white ribbon and a silver buffalo. In 1990, Coach Wooden was a recipient of the Boy Scouts of America’s Silver Buffalo award, an honor bestowed to those persons who gave noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth. It is Scouting’s highest commendation of the invaluable contributions that outstanding Americans make to youth.
In 2003, Coach Wooden was one of the recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush.
Coach was a gracious host. As we made small talk, it was as if we were long time friends getting together. I was nervous and apprehensive in the presence of this basketball legend, but he made me feel comfortable.
We sat down at his dining table, and Coach enthusiastically autographed each book with the name of the recipient. I printed out the list of the book recipients in large type, so it would be easy for Coach to read and autograph the cover page.
Years before, I talked with Richard Banton and Kenny Booker, K/T basketball refs, both who had played for Coach Wooden. Dick and Kenny both still remember how to put their socks and shoes on to play basketball, and now to officiate basketball games. Dick gave me a gem—on Tuesdays, there was a light practice, because Coach made sure he would not miss an episode of Gunsmoke. Both consider the Coach as a father figure, a teacher of life, not just basketball. Coach remembered both of his former players.
I asked about a former Dorsey High player, Conrad Burke. Coach remarked that Connie was not as talented as some of his teammates, such as Willie Naulls, but he was a good reliable and consistent player, he could always depend upon.
Coach Wooden talked about some of his players. He was very fond of Swen Nater.
When Swen was coaching in Blythe, he asked coach to speak to his team. It was a great experience for the kids, but I sensed gratification in the Coach’s mind of how well Nater progressed as a person. Swen used to write poems and send them to him. Some of the poems were framed on his wall. Coach recited some of Swen’s poems.
When Tetsu asked Coach about his schedule, Coach replied he had to go the Reseda Post Office next week. Tetsu asked why, Coach dryly replied, they are going to name it in his honor.
When Coach Wooden asked me about his luncheon topic, his philosophy of the Pyramid of Success came up. I had always heard of the Pyramid of Success, but never saw a copy. The Coach presented me with a copy. As part of the luncheon program, we arranged for the printing of the Pyramid of Success, from a printer recommended by UCLA’s Athletic Department. Banton has his 50-year old autographed copy framed at home, as a treasured family heirloom.
We invited Coach Wooden for an early dinner. He first accepted, but I think it was too early, and he humbly declined. Marcus Tanimoto, Tetsu’s son, and his wife brought the Coach to the Luncheon at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello. When he arrived, walking with a cane, he was enthusiastically greeted by everyone.
After the introductions of guests, we had the Coach come up on the stage, seated in a chair with armrests, as he requested. The first honorees were the pre-war scouts. Some had served with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, several were members of the Military Intelligence Service, and one diminutive former scout served in BCI (Burma, China and India Theater) for OSS (Office of Strategic Services, the forerunner of the present CIA). They gathered around the Coach for a photo op.
Coach Wooden then presented his autographed Leadership books to the past Scoutmaster, Cub Masters and Girl Scout leaders or their family members, in attendance. For those that could not attend, former Eagle Scout Ernie Ikuta sent them the book, after an exhaustive search of the Internet. When Coach Wooden discussed the evolution of his Pyramid of Success, you could have heard a pin drop. There were members of the serving staff in the back and sides of the room. Everyone listened intently about the Coach’s philosophy of life. It was a momentous occasion for everyone.
At the end of the program, the Boys and Girls Scout, Cubs and their leaders got a photo op with the Coach.
After the luncheon, Coach Wooden graciously took time, for over an hour, autographing copies of his Pyramid of Success, luncheon programs and basketballs for everyone. I saw the joy in the Coach and the individual eyes, as he greeted each one and autographed an article for them.
As Coach Wooden made his way slowly to the parking lot, he was greeted by the luncheon crowd that gathered to thank him and wish him well.
Last year, I met a scouter from South Bay. Because one of our former 379 Eagle Scouts was his troop’s assistant scoutmaster, he attended the luncheon. He said that luncheon was the highlight of his scouting career.
Thanks Coach, for sharing your life with us.
= = = =
Edward K. Takahashi is the Luncheon Committee Co-Chair of Troop 379 and former Eagle Scout, 1953. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Rafu Shimpo.
Richard “Duke” Llewellyn, 93, Co-Founder of Wooden Award, Opened Door for Nikkei Basketball
Posted By jikeda On June 12, 2010 @ 11:15 am In English, Sports | No Comments
LOS ANGELES.—Richard “Duke” Llewellyn, chairman and co-founder of the John R. Wooden Award that goes to college basketball’s player of the year, died Friday, June 4. He was 93.
Llewellyn’s longtime companion, Nancy Tew, said he died of congestive heart failure at Hollenbeck Palms, a retirement home in the Boyle Heights section of Los Angeles where he had been for the past week.
Working with Wooden, a friend for more than 60 years, Llewellyn founded the Wooden Award in 1976. He remained on the board through this past college basketball season, meeting with sponsors, players and staff as he battled cancer.
Wooden died Friday night of natural causes at 99.
“We are devastated to lose Duke,” Los Angeles Athletic Club president Steve Hathaway said. “Quite simply, he was the Wooden Award, and symbolized everything that is right about college athletics and amateur sports. He led an incredible life having touched so many people along the way. We will miss him deeply.”
Llewellyn’s life was dedicated to people and sports. He began at the Los Angeles Athletic Club as director of athletics in 1956 and advanced to a senior vice president position. He created Olympic training programs that led to gold medal performances for such athletes as divers Pat McCormick and Kathy Ferguson and swimmer Murray Rose of Australia.
The club’s sports-themed restaurant Duke’s is named for him.
Llewellyn’s other contributions to sports included serving on the board of the World Boxing Hall of Fame for more than 20 years; as attache for his native Bermuda at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics; as director of the Southern California Tennis Association; and as a college, high school and junior college football coach and official for several decades.
But perhaps his most important contribution, one that continues to extend beyond the physical activities, awards and committees, was his willingness to cross color lines. To the post-war Japanese American community, he was a friend to a group of people who had been ostracized by many of their fellow citizens and imprisoned by their own government.
When former Rafu Shimpo publisher Akira Komai and others began the Nisei Athletic Union, they were met with great resistance and were unable to find gymnasiums to host the league. But while others had said no to Japanese Americans, Llewellyn said yes. Llewellyn granted access to gyms for Nikkei basketball and even officiated the games.
“One of my heroes is Duke,” said Tetsu Tanimoto a longtime friend of both Llewellyn and Coach Wooden and one of the founders of the Aki Komai Memorial Awards. “People don’t realize how big a guy had to be to allow Japanese Americans to play, at that time, in that day, when prejudice was rampant.”
Llewellyn saw the value of opening up space for Japanese Americans to play sports and continued his relationship with NAU until the 1960s as a game official. Today, thanks in great part to Llewellyn’s foresight, the Japanese American basketball leagues’ players number in the tens of thousands.
Last September, Llewellyn was awarded an Aki Komai Award for all that he has done for the Japanese American sports community.
Born in the Bermuda Islands, Llewellyn’s family eventually moved to Los Angeles where he became a four-sport letterman at Loyola High School. Continuing his all-around athleticism, he matriculated to USC and was a three-sport letterman. In 1936, Llewellyn finished fourth in the decathlon in the U.S. Olympic trials. He played football in the Pacific Coast League with the L.A. Bulldogs and Hollywood Rangers and after the war with the L.A. Dons. While in the Army, he became the heavyweight boxing champion of the 9th Service Command, which led to his exhibitions with heavyweight world champion Joe Louis.
Llewellyn was inducted into the Los Angeles Athletic Club Hall of Fame where he was recognized as a “citizen of the world” and lauded for “his welcoming demeanor and his loyalty to friends…a model for everyone.” Whose “deeds and accomplishments will live in the hearts of those he continues to touch.”
In addition to his companion Tew, Llewellyn is survived by sons, Mark and Mike; daughter, Debby; and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are private. A celebration of his life will be held later.
Article printed from Rafu Shimpo: http://rafu.com/news
URL to article: http://rafu.com/news/2010/06/obit-richard-%e2%80%9cduke%e2%80%9d-llewellyn-93-co-founder-of-wooden-award-opened-door-for-nikkei-basketball/
LOS ANGELES.—Richard “Duke” Llewellyn, chairman and co-founder of the John R. Wooden Award that goes to college basketball’s player of the year, died Friday, June 4. He was 93.
Llewellyn’s longtime companion, Nancy Tew, said he died of congestive heart failure at Hollenbeck Palms, a retirement home in the Boyle Heights section of Los Angeles where he had been for the past week.
Working with Wooden, a friend for more than 60 years, Llewellyn founded the Wooden Award in 1976. He remained on the board through this past college basketball season, meeting with sponsors, players and staff as he battled cancer.
Wooden died Friday night of natural causes at 99.
“We are devastated to lose Duke,” Los Angeles Athletic Club president Steve Hathaway said. “Quite simply, he was the Wooden Award, and symbolized everything that is right about college athletics and amateur sports. He led an incredible life having touched so many people along the way. We will miss him deeply.”
Llewellyn’s life was dedicated to people and sports. He began at the Los Angeles Athletic Club as director of athletics in 1956 and advanced to a senior vice president position. He created Olympic training programs that led to gold medal performances for such athletes as divers Pat McCormick and Kathy Ferguson and swimmer Murray Rose of Australia.
The club’s sports-themed restaurant Duke’s is named for him.
Llewellyn’s other contributions to sports included serving on the board of the World Boxing Hall of Fame for more than 20 years; as attache for his native Bermuda at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics; as director of the Southern California Tennis Association; and as a college, high school and junior college football coach and official for several decades.
But perhaps his most important contribution, one that continues to extend beyond the physical activities, awards and committees, was his willingness to cross color lines. To the post-war Japanese American community, he was a friend to a group of people who had been ostracized by many of their fellow citizens and imprisoned by their own government.
When former Rafu Shimpo publisher Akira Komai and others began the Nisei Athletic Union, they were met with great resistance and were unable to find gymnasiums to host the league. But while others had said no to Japanese Americans, Llewellyn said yes. Llewellyn granted access to gyms for Nikkei basketball and even officiated the games.
“One of my heroes is Duke,” said Tetsu Tanimoto a longtime friend of both Llewellyn and Coach Wooden and one of the founders of the Aki Komai Memorial Awards. “People don’t realize how big a guy had to be to allow Japanese Americans to play, at that time, in that day, when prejudice was rampant.”
Llewellyn saw the value of opening up space for Japanese Americans to play sports and continued his relationship with NAU until the 1960s as a game official. Today, thanks in great part to Llewellyn’s foresight, the Japanese American basketball leagues’ players number in the tens of thousands.
Last September, Llewellyn was awarded an Aki Komai Award for all that he has done for the Japanese American sports community.
Born in the Bermuda Islands, Llewellyn’s family eventually moved to Los Angeles where he became a four-sport letterman at Loyola High School. Continuing his all-around athleticism, he matriculated to USC and was a three-sport letterman. In 1936, Llewellyn finished fourth in the decathlon in the U.S. Olympic trials. He played football in the Pacific Coast League with the L.A. Bulldogs and Hollywood Rangers and after the war with the L.A. Dons. While in the Army, he became the heavyweight boxing champion of the 9th Service Command, which led to his exhibitions with heavyweight world champion Joe Louis.
Llewellyn was inducted into the Los Angeles Athletic Club Hall of Fame where he was recognized as a “citizen of the world” and lauded for “his welcoming demeanor and his loyalty to friends…a model for everyone.” Whose “deeds and accomplishments will live in the hearts of those he continues to touch.”
In addition to his companion Tew, Llewellyn is survived by sons, Mark and Mike; daughter, Debby; and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are private. A celebration of his life will be held later.
Article printed from Rafu Shimpo: http://rafu.com/news
URL to article: http://rafu.com/news/2010/06/obit-richard-%e2%80%9cduke%e2%80%9d-llewellyn-93-co-founder-of-wooden-award-opened-door-for-nikkei-basketball/
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Jeremy Lin video and interview
jeremy lin works out with the warriors
Here's an interview with Harvard hoops star Jeremy Lin, who worked out for his hometown team, the Golden State Warriors, over the weekend: 6.20: Warriors Workouts - Jeremy Lin, RAW.
He talks a little bit (not much) about his chances in the NBA Draft. I don't what the future holds, but I think it would be cool to see an Asian American player with the Warriors, especially one hailing from the Bay Area.
More here: Jeremy Lin Interview. I know a lot of folks are hanging their hopes on Jeremy Lin being the first big Asian American NBA star, and that's a lot pressure. But overall, he always comes across as a smart guy with a good head on his shoulders. His future's bright, no matter what.
Jeremy Lin Interview
By Eric_Guilleminault
Wed, 06/16/2010 - 8:18am
Jeremy Lin was one of the premier seniors in the NCAA this past season. He has been featured in numerous major publications including Time magazine and Sports Illustrated despite playing in the academically focused conference. He has been an athlete of interest for the Asian American basketball enthusiasts who are eager to see a contemporary succeed at the highest level of basketball.
Lin was a finalist for the John Wooden Award and led the Harvard Crimson to a record number of wins. He now is like most graduating seniors trying to impress his employers. His potential employers happen to be NBA teams. Eric Guilleminault of HoopsDaily.com had a chance to speak with him recently during his down time between workouts.
Jeremy LinJeremy LinNBADraft.net: Jeremy you had some great performances this season at Harvard which game(s) standout in your mind?
Jeremy Lin: I had great performances in the wins against William & Mary and Boston College; as well as against Michigan and Connecticut, but my best overall game was probably my sophomore year against Mercer when I nearly had a triple double.
NBADraft.net: The Ivy League was a particularly competitive league, given that you led Harvard to a record 20 win season and were unable to get an automatic bid do you feel that you should have gotten more consideration in being part of the field of 65?
Jeremy Lin: I do think that we could have gotten more consideration but then again we were blown out in the first round of the CIT tournament (93-71 loss to Appalachian State) so it's tough to say.
NBADraft.net: Do you feel with the new expansion that a team like Harvard has a better shot?
Jeremy Lin: It would be nice for a team such as our selves get consideration next year, in particular with thre success Cornell had in the NCAA tournament.
NBADraft.net: Last we saw you were participating at Portsmouth, tell us how that experience went?
Jeremy Lin: The Portsmouth Invitational was really valuable to me. It gave me a chance to go back to the point guard position and allowed me to run a team. A lot of scouts did not have the chance to watch me play live at Harvard and we also had very few games that were televised so this gave me a chance to showcase my skills to them.
NBADraft.net: Since Portsmouth what have you been up to?
Jeremy Lin: I have been working out with Impact in Las Vegas and in San Antonio where my agent is based working out with some of his other clients including Sonny Weems.
NBADraft.net: What NBA workouts have you participated in and or will you be participating in next?
Jeremy Lin: I have worked out with the Thunder, Lakers, Knicks, Grizzlies, Spurs, and a few others before the draft. I have worked out primarily against shorter and supposedly faster players in these workouts.
NBADraft.net: How do you feel you performed in those workouts?
Jeremy Lin: I feel I performed well in all of them. I think my top two workouts were the Grizzlies and Thunder (given the fact I came straight off a red-eye flight).
NBADraft.net: When working in these NBA workouts what position have you played?
Jeremy Lin: I have been working out as a point guard.
NBADraft.net: Do you see yourself as a combo guard similar to a Jordan Crawford?
Jeremy Lin: I see myself more as a Goran Dragic type of point guard. We both love attacking the rim, effectively using the pick and roll and playing with high basketball IQ, although neither of us are freak athletes. as he does. Because I also played some 2 guard in college, I have the abilty to play that position well.
NBADraft.net: What areas of your game have you developed the most since your last game at Harvard?
Jeremy Lin: I have improved my defense and getting to play against quicker players than in the Ivy League. I have been working on my handles and developing a consistent jumper out to the NBA 3 point range.
NBADraft.net: What areas of your game do you feel you need to work on the most?
Jeremy Lin: I have been working on tightening up my handles, being more consistent with my 3 point shot, I want it to become one of my strengths in my game.
NBADraft.net: You’ve played the role of underdog with success before winning a California state title for Palo Alto, winning a school record amount of games for Harvard. Were you overlooked in the recruiting process?
Jeremy Lin: Yes I feel I was. If I had even gotten one scholarship offer from a local team (he is a Bay Area native) I would have jumped on it. But I understand why I was not highly recruited, at the time I was 6 foot 1, 170lbs and I have grown and developed since.
NBADraft.net: What is the greatest advantage of playing in the Ivy league for an aspiring NBA player such as yourself?
Jeremy Lin: The high IQ of players forces you to always have to have good footwork. You really have to pay attention to back door cuts and double screens on defense. And for me personally it’s a slower paced game. It forced me to adjust to the slower tempo game and sets and now I feel both comfortable with the running style offense and the half court sets.
NBADraft.net: Who is the toughest player you have ever had to guard?
Jeremy Lin: Kevin Durant in AAU.
NBADraft.net: Who was the player you tried to mimic the most growing up?
Jeremy Lin: I was a big Michael Jordan fan growing up. I don’t feel my game resembles his though.
NBADraft.net: As an Asian American of Chinese decent do you speak Mandarin or Cantonese?
Jeremy Lin: I speak Mandarin and can read and write a little. I took a few classes at Harvard to get better in my reading and writing skills.
NBADraft.net: Is that something that could give you an advantage to make an NBA team, being the first Asian American to make the league?
Jeremy Lin: Not sure if that will benefit me or hurt me, but I know I have the skills and am ready to playin the NBA regardless of my ethnicity.
NBADraft.net: You have become an inspiration for the Asian-American community, how do you feel about that?
Jeremy Lin: I’m very humbled and honored. I'm very thankful to the Asian-American Community for all their support!
NBADraft.net: And is there an extra sense of pressure to succeed because of that?
Jeremy Lin: No, I’m not playing for other people; if I start thinking in those terms I would put too much pressure on myself. I play basketball because that is what I love to do.
NBADraft.net: If you couldn’t play basketball what would be your profession?
Jeremy Lin: I would be a pastor. It is something I think about doing when my playing days are over.
NBADraft.net: Anything you would like to add?
Jeremy Lin: I would like to thank NBADraft.net and your viewers for all the support.
Here's an interview with Harvard hoops star Jeremy Lin, who worked out for his hometown team, the Golden State Warriors, over the weekend: 6.20: Warriors Workouts - Jeremy Lin, RAW.
He talks a little bit (not much) about his chances in the NBA Draft. I don't what the future holds, but I think it would be cool to see an Asian American player with the Warriors, especially one hailing from the Bay Area.
More here: Jeremy Lin Interview. I know a lot of folks are hanging their hopes on Jeremy Lin being the first big Asian American NBA star, and that's a lot pressure. But overall, he always comes across as a smart guy with a good head on his shoulders. His future's bright, no matter what.
Jeremy Lin Interview
By Eric_Guilleminault
Wed, 06/16/2010 - 8:18am
Jeremy Lin was one of the premier seniors in the NCAA this past season. He has been featured in numerous major publications including Time magazine and Sports Illustrated despite playing in the academically focused conference. He has been an athlete of interest for the Asian American basketball enthusiasts who are eager to see a contemporary succeed at the highest level of basketball.
Lin was a finalist for the John Wooden Award and led the Harvard Crimson to a record number of wins. He now is like most graduating seniors trying to impress his employers. His potential employers happen to be NBA teams. Eric Guilleminault of HoopsDaily.com had a chance to speak with him recently during his down time between workouts.
Jeremy LinJeremy LinNBADraft.net: Jeremy you had some great performances this season at Harvard which game(s) standout in your mind?
Jeremy Lin: I had great performances in the wins against William & Mary and Boston College; as well as against Michigan and Connecticut, but my best overall game was probably my sophomore year against Mercer when I nearly had a triple double.
NBADraft.net: The Ivy League was a particularly competitive league, given that you led Harvard to a record 20 win season and were unable to get an automatic bid do you feel that you should have gotten more consideration in being part of the field of 65?
Jeremy Lin: I do think that we could have gotten more consideration but then again we were blown out in the first round of the CIT tournament (93-71 loss to Appalachian State) so it's tough to say.
NBADraft.net: Do you feel with the new expansion that a team like Harvard has a better shot?
Jeremy Lin: It would be nice for a team such as our selves get consideration next year, in particular with thre success Cornell had in the NCAA tournament.
NBADraft.net: Last we saw you were participating at Portsmouth, tell us how that experience went?
Jeremy Lin: The Portsmouth Invitational was really valuable to me. It gave me a chance to go back to the point guard position and allowed me to run a team. A lot of scouts did not have the chance to watch me play live at Harvard and we also had very few games that were televised so this gave me a chance to showcase my skills to them.
NBADraft.net: Since Portsmouth what have you been up to?
Jeremy Lin: I have been working out with Impact in Las Vegas and in San Antonio where my agent is based working out with some of his other clients including Sonny Weems.
NBADraft.net: What NBA workouts have you participated in and or will you be participating in next?
Jeremy Lin: I have worked out with the Thunder, Lakers, Knicks, Grizzlies, Spurs, and a few others before the draft. I have worked out primarily against shorter and supposedly faster players in these workouts.
NBADraft.net: How do you feel you performed in those workouts?
Jeremy Lin: I feel I performed well in all of them. I think my top two workouts were the Grizzlies and Thunder (given the fact I came straight off a red-eye flight).
NBADraft.net: When working in these NBA workouts what position have you played?
Jeremy Lin: I have been working out as a point guard.
NBADraft.net: Do you see yourself as a combo guard similar to a Jordan Crawford?
Jeremy Lin: I see myself more as a Goran Dragic type of point guard. We both love attacking the rim, effectively using the pick and roll and playing with high basketball IQ, although neither of us are freak athletes. as he does. Because I also played some 2 guard in college, I have the abilty to play that position well.
NBADraft.net: What areas of your game have you developed the most since your last game at Harvard?
Jeremy Lin: I have improved my defense and getting to play against quicker players than in the Ivy League. I have been working on my handles and developing a consistent jumper out to the NBA 3 point range.
NBADraft.net: What areas of your game do you feel you need to work on the most?
Jeremy Lin: I have been working on tightening up my handles, being more consistent with my 3 point shot, I want it to become one of my strengths in my game.
NBADraft.net: You’ve played the role of underdog with success before winning a California state title for Palo Alto, winning a school record amount of games for Harvard. Were you overlooked in the recruiting process?
Jeremy Lin: Yes I feel I was. If I had even gotten one scholarship offer from a local team (he is a Bay Area native) I would have jumped on it. But I understand why I was not highly recruited, at the time I was 6 foot 1, 170lbs and I have grown and developed since.
NBADraft.net: What is the greatest advantage of playing in the Ivy league for an aspiring NBA player such as yourself?
Jeremy Lin: The high IQ of players forces you to always have to have good footwork. You really have to pay attention to back door cuts and double screens on defense. And for me personally it’s a slower paced game. It forced me to adjust to the slower tempo game and sets and now I feel both comfortable with the running style offense and the half court sets.
NBADraft.net: Who is the toughest player you have ever had to guard?
Jeremy Lin: Kevin Durant in AAU.
NBADraft.net: Who was the player you tried to mimic the most growing up?
Jeremy Lin: I was a big Michael Jordan fan growing up. I don’t feel my game resembles his though.
NBADraft.net: As an Asian American of Chinese decent do you speak Mandarin or Cantonese?
Jeremy Lin: I speak Mandarin and can read and write a little. I took a few classes at Harvard to get better in my reading and writing skills.
NBADraft.net: Is that something that could give you an advantage to make an NBA team, being the first Asian American to make the league?
Jeremy Lin: Not sure if that will benefit me or hurt me, but I know I have the skills and am ready to playin the NBA regardless of my ethnicity.
NBADraft.net: You have become an inspiration for the Asian-American community, how do you feel about that?
Jeremy Lin: I’m very humbled and honored. I'm very thankful to the Asian-American Community for all their support!
NBADraft.net: And is there an extra sense of pressure to succeed because of that?
Jeremy Lin: No, I’m not playing for other people; if I start thinking in those terms I would put too much pressure on myself. I play basketball because that is what I love to do.
NBADraft.net: If you couldn’t play basketball what would be your profession?
Jeremy Lin: I would be a pastor. It is something I think about doing when my playing days are over.
NBADraft.net: Anything you would like to add?
Jeremy Lin: I would like to thank NBADraft.net and your viewers for all the support.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Daughter of the Late Pat Morita Protests Karate Kid Remake
Daughter of the Late Pat Morita Protests Karate Kid Remake
from 8Asians.com by jozjozjoz
1 person liked this
Quentin Lee’s FilmHustler blog published a great interview with Aly Morita asking her thoughts behind her protest of the new Karate Kid movie that opens this weekend.
While Edward criticized Aly for passing judgment on a film she hasn’t seen, I believe Aly does a great job in expressing her thoughts and reasoning of why she does not support The Karate Kid. She says, “My issues are based from my point-of-view as an Asian American, and my stake is mostly Asian American. I feel that the remake is a blatant disregard of Asian American issues and concerns. The most obvious fact is that they interchange Kung Fu and Karate.” She also points out the flaws of the original film– including her struggles with the Mr. Miyagi character who her father portrayed– and says that the remake simply rehashes many of the same themes which were problematic with the original 1984 film. Much more poignantly, she gives us insights to her father’s acceptance of the role and how much influence Pat Morita had in creating Mr Miyagi as an icon.
[FilmHustler]: How did you feel about you dad’s success as Mr. Miyagi?
I was embarrassed by my dad playing Mr. Miyagi in the height of his 80s’ popularity. I was constantly having problems with it as my own identity politics grew. Eventually I was able to separate my struggle and my dad’s struggle.
My dad fought fought tooth and nail for that role. He struggled and struggled as an actor. After Happy Days, he got his own TV series developed but it got canceled. He went into depression and came from the bottom when Karate Kid happened. He was ready for it and knew he had to work hard for it.
The role of Mr. Miyagi could easily have been a two dimensional character. But it was really the chemistry between Ralph Macchio and my dad that made it so special. A lot of those one-liners and jokes were very much my dad’s. He poured his heart and soul into that role.
While it may be interesting to discuss and debate the flaws of the Mr Miyagi character 25 years later, what cannot be denied are a few points:
* Pat Morita was an Asian American actor and the original Karate Kid made him a star in the true sense of the word, even garnering him an Oscar nomination for the role.
* The Mr. Miyagi character was an Asian American– and even included aspects of Asian American history like being a decorated veteran of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
* The success of the original Karate Kid was groundbreaking because an Asian American was the hero of a film, showing for the first time that a film with an Asian American lead actor and character could be not only a true blockbuster, but a beloved one, as well.
Though the inevitable comparisons between Pat Morita’s Mr. Miyagi and Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han will likely be about the character’s lines and teaching styles, I wonder how many people will remember that former is Asian AMERICAN and that the latter is (essentially) Asian. For those of us who identify as Asian American (and not Asian from Asia), this happens to be a big difference, but one that many will likely be swept under the rug.
I don’t know how much traction her Facebook campaign to Boycott the Karate Kid Remake is going to garner, I admire Aly’s convictions and willingness to speak up and to share her personal reasoning for her stance. (For the record, I personally am NOT boycotting this film; I have not joined the above-mentioned FB page.)
Photo credit: FilmHustler
from 8Asians.com by jozjozjoz
1 person liked this
Quentin Lee’s FilmHustler blog published a great interview with Aly Morita asking her thoughts behind her protest of the new Karate Kid movie that opens this weekend.
While Edward criticized Aly for passing judgment on a film she hasn’t seen, I believe Aly does a great job in expressing her thoughts and reasoning of why she does not support The Karate Kid. She says, “My issues are based from my point-of-view as an Asian American, and my stake is mostly Asian American. I feel that the remake is a blatant disregard of Asian American issues and concerns. The most obvious fact is that they interchange Kung Fu and Karate.” She also points out the flaws of the original film– including her struggles with the Mr. Miyagi character who her father portrayed– and says that the remake simply rehashes many of the same themes which were problematic with the original 1984 film. Much more poignantly, she gives us insights to her father’s acceptance of the role and how much influence Pat Morita had in creating Mr Miyagi as an icon.
[FilmHustler]: How did you feel about you dad’s success as Mr. Miyagi?
I was embarrassed by my dad playing Mr. Miyagi in the height of his 80s’ popularity. I was constantly having problems with it as my own identity politics grew. Eventually I was able to separate my struggle and my dad’s struggle.
My dad fought fought tooth and nail for that role. He struggled and struggled as an actor. After Happy Days, he got his own TV series developed but it got canceled. He went into depression and came from the bottom when Karate Kid happened. He was ready for it and knew he had to work hard for it.
The role of Mr. Miyagi could easily have been a two dimensional character. But it was really the chemistry between Ralph Macchio and my dad that made it so special. A lot of those one-liners and jokes were very much my dad’s. He poured his heart and soul into that role.
While it may be interesting to discuss and debate the flaws of the Mr Miyagi character 25 years later, what cannot be denied are a few points:
* Pat Morita was an Asian American actor and the original Karate Kid made him a star in the true sense of the word, even garnering him an Oscar nomination for the role.
* The Mr. Miyagi character was an Asian American– and even included aspects of Asian American history like being a decorated veteran of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
* The success of the original Karate Kid was groundbreaking because an Asian American was the hero of a film, showing for the first time that a film with an Asian American lead actor and character could be not only a true blockbuster, but a beloved one, as well.
Though the inevitable comparisons between Pat Morita’s Mr. Miyagi and Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han will likely be about the character’s lines and teaching styles, I wonder how many people will remember that former is Asian AMERICAN and that the latter is (essentially) Asian. For those of us who identify as Asian American (and not Asian from Asia), this happens to be a big difference, but one that many will likely be swept under the rug.
I don’t know how much traction her Facebook campaign to Boycott the Karate Kid Remake is going to garner, I admire Aly’s convictions and willingness to speak up and to share her personal reasoning for her stance. (For the record, I personally am NOT boycotting this film; I have not joined the above-mentioned FB page.)
Photo credit: FilmHustler
Monday, June 7, 2010
Ishikawa gets more out of less practice
Ishikawa gets more out of less practice
SAN FRANCISCO -- Travis Ishikawa has adopted a novel approach to preparing for his rare opportunities to hit. Recently, he has taken less batting practice, not more.
Ishikawa has shelved his near-daily early-hitting sessions and relies on regular batting practice and stints in the indoor cage adjacent to the dugout during the game. The backup first baseman attributed his success off the bench to this change. Entering Monday, Ishikawa led the National League with a .556 pinch-hitting average (5-for-9). That included doubles in each of his previous two at-bats.
"Thinking too much about my mechanics hurts me," said Ishikawa, whose 22 at-bats before Monday were the fewest among any Giants position player on the Opening Day roster. "If I go up there for one at-bat every few days, thinking about where my hands or my stride are, you kind of lose focus on seeing the ball."
Ishikawa, the Giants' primary first baseman last season, realizes that his playing time will remain extremely limited, barring unforeseen circumstances.
"The way Buster [Posey] and Aubrey [Huff] have been swinging, I know I'm not going to get many chances," Ishikawa said. "I go up there kind of almost more relaxed. There's no pressure on me."
Ishikawa has impressed manager Bruce Bochy.
"He's our Smoky Burgess," Bochy said, citing the portly catcher who thrived as a pinch-hitter while spending 1949-67 in the Major Leagues. "He has a calm demeanor about him, which probably helps him pinch-hitting. He's very relaxed. ... He's not overhyped. That's a big part of being successful as a pinch-hitter, being able to control yourself for one at-bat. Sometimes your adrenaline gets the best of you and you get a little overaggressive."
SAN FRANCISCO -- Travis Ishikawa has adopted a novel approach to preparing for his rare opportunities to hit. Recently, he has taken less batting practice, not more.
Ishikawa has shelved his near-daily early-hitting sessions and relies on regular batting practice and stints in the indoor cage adjacent to the dugout during the game. The backup first baseman attributed his success off the bench to this change. Entering Monday, Ishikawa led the National League with a .556 pinch-hitting average (5-for-9). That included doubles in each of his previous two at-bats.
"Thinking too much about my mechanics hurts me," said Ishikawa, whose 22 at-bats before Monday were the fewest among any Giants position player on the Opening Day roster. "If I go up there for one at-bat every few days, thinking about where my hands or my stride are, you kind of lose focus on seeing the ball."
Ishikawa, the Giants' primary first baseman last season, realizes that his playing time will remain extremely limited, barring unforeseen circumstances.
"The way Buster [Posey] and Aubrey [Huff] have been swinging, I know I'm not going to get many chances," Ishikawa said. "I go up there kind of almost more relaxed. There's no pressure on me."
Ishikawa has impressed manager Bruce Bochy.
"He's our Smoky Burgess," Bochy said, citing the portly catcher who thrived as a pinch-hitter while spending 1949-67 in the Major Leagues. "He has a calm demeanor about him, which probably helps him pinch-hitting. He's very relaxed. ... He's not overhyped. That's a big part of being successful as a pinch-hitter, being able to control yourself for one at-bat. Sometimes your adrenaline gets the best of you and you get a little overaggressive."
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Kinji Shibuya dead at 88
By GREG OLIVER - Producer, SLAM! Wrestling
Kinji Shibuya and Killer Kowalski await their next victims.
Kinji Shibuya, who died Monday at the age of 88, once described his move from wrestling to acting in realistic terms that also applied to his 25 years of villainry in the ring: "You're an ugly bugger and they wanted an Oriental villain or something like that. I was ready to oblige."
Of course, the fact that the evil Japanese bad guy was actually born in Utah, raised in California, and starred in football in Hawaii was beside the point.
He looked the part, with his squat body, cropped hair and goatee; the publicity folks could do the rest.
"Kinji Shibuya admits he knows 24 centers on each side of a man's body where pressure of varying amounts will result in the man losing his grip," describes a Wrestling World article from May 1954, talking about "The Nerve Specialist."
A 1971, Reno, Nevada story previewing an upcoming show has local promoter Buddy Traynor fretting about Shibuya's karate chop. "Sam Muchnick (president of the National Wrestling Alliance) told me," said Traynor, "that Shibuya is never again to use the karate chop. You know, he once killed an opponent with it."
In a 1999 interview with the Japanese-English language newspaper Rafu Shimpo, Shibuya said, "the meaner I acted in the ring, the richer I walked out of it. Playing the bad guy was fun. I would have been a run-of-the-mill wrestler without the dirty stuff. As a villain, I became a champion."
Born May 16, 1921 in Utah, the fourth of five sons to Kinkichi and Kura Shibuya, Robert "Kinji" (or Kenji) Shibuya grew up in Los Angeles, graduating from Belmont High School. He played left guard for the Los Angeles City College team and was named to the Helms Athletic Foundation's All-Southern California Board of Football's all-western division jaycee second team star squad in 1940.
At the University of Hawaii, he was a four-year "Hula Bowl" football star and amateur wrestler before playing semi-pro ball for the Honolulu Polar Bears and Honolulu Warriors.
"I was a name before I became a wrestler because of my football background," Shibuya said in 2004.
The wrestling promoter in Hawaii, Al Karasick, suggested he try the squared circle in 1952.
"I was a natural draw," Shibuya said. "Hawaii was a natural place to draw because they could go to Australia, or Japan."
Speaking both Japanese and English, Shibuya was admittedly typecast as a villain in the years after World War II.
After breaking in, Shibuya hit the road, getting to the Minneapolis territory followed by Calgary.
Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling promotion was full of "wonderful people," he said.
"When I first got there, I was going towards Alaska! What the hell is this? I was supposed to be going towards Calgary, then it says so many miles to Alaska," he laughed. "I have a lot of fond memories of Calgary."
Shibuya also had a lot of success in Vancouver's All-Star Wrestling promotion.
"I loved Vancouver," he confessed, adding that he thought All-Star "ran a really good program. They had the influence to get the top guys in there."
Kinji Shibuya and Mitsu Arakawa. Courtesy of the Wrestling Revue Archives: www.wrestlingrevue.com
Though Shibuya had numerous tag team title reigns with various partners, he is most associated with Mack "Mitsu" Arakawa.
"I was the senior part of the tag team. We were both from Hawaii. I took him under my wing and we formed a great team," said Shibuya of Arakawa. "He was big and he was young and at the time, I guess it would have been good for both of us." Mitsu was originally billed as Kinji's cousin.
The pairing was indeed good for both of them. They were big draws in many territories including San Francisco, Indianapolis, Vancouver and Australia, and had a run with the Minneapolis version of the NWA tag titles in 1957. They were good friends away from the ring, said Arakawa's sister Thelma Morifuji. "He was a big island boy too," she said of Shibuya. "When he came to Hawaii, Kinji always came to our house and visit."
A fun-loving man who enjoyed life and was well-liked away from the ring by his peers, Shibuya shared some stories over the years about his friendships. "I'm a good bullshitter," Shibuya once told this writer.
He said Ben and Mike Sharpe, the giant brothers from Hamilton, Ontario, liked him because he knew how to cater the diet they'd acquired on numerous trips to Japan. "They had gone to Japan and they learned to eat raw fish. I used to go down in Boston and places like that where you could buy that tuna so inexpensively it was unbelievable. So I'd buy a whole bunch of that. As you know, we had to travel in cars. My wife would prepare that raw fish. Then we'd get the rice bowls and they loved me for that!" he laughed. "They were wonderful guys. They got me out of a lot of bad shapes, bad situations."
The Australian great Fred Atkins he called a "great beer drinker," admitting "we tipped a few cases of beer." On one occasion, Shibuya teamed with Atkins against the famed boxer turned wrestler Primo Carnera. "You know how big he was, size 22 show or something like that. He wrestled Moto and knocked all his teeth out! So when he got in the ring there with me, I said 'let me get my ass out of here before he knocks my teeth out!'" remembered Shibuya. "Atkins, he'd go there and get Primo Carnera yelling."
Don Leo Jonathan was a close friend, said Shibuya. "I always treated him like a brother. We were a tag team in Hawaii. We wrestled local guys. The Samoans could throw these connected chairs, three or four chairs in a row. You know how powerful they are. They'd pick them up and throw them at Don Leo, who was standing in the corner ... annoyed. So he'd take off after them and chase them out of the building. I'd be in the building by myself. What the fuck is he doing?
"He's like me, he's a little boy, never grew up. Dad's in the wrestling business. You have to be boys because, my God, I would never let my kid go in the business."
Kinji Shibuya and Killer Kowalski team up to best historian/writer Tom Burke at a Cauliflower Alley Club reunion. Photo by Mike Lano, WReaLano@aol.com
Fellow wrestlers spoke highly of Shibuya's skills in the ring.
"I remember in 1972 when Kinji Shibuya came in from Northern California and teamed with Masa Saito. How hot they were as a tag team," wrote Jeff Walton, the Los Angeles announcer and publicist in his book, Richmond 9-5171, A Wrestling Story. "Against Black Gordman and The Great Goliath, the four of them were absolutely incredible. By himself, Shibuya was just a master technician."
"Kinji was a night off to work with. Great guy," said Paul Diamond (Paul Lehman). In an interview in the Ring Around the Northwest newsletter, Ricky Hunter spoke highly about Shibuya. "Him and I would get in the ring and we would have fantastic matches. He was one of the great Japanese wrestlers. He was so impressive looking. He spoke very well too."
One of the late Gene Kiniski's favourite stories involved Shibuya and the Vancouver announcer Ron Morrier. Shibuya had just broken a rock with a judo chop on television. "So Ron Morrier says to me, 'You have to admit, that was quite a feat,'" Kiniski started. "I said, 'Yes, it was just unbelievable. But if you look at the rock very carefully, Ron, you'll see Made In Japan.' And Jesus Christ, he just broke up on TV and the people went crazy. Kinji Shibuya was just livid."
By 1975, Shibuya was pretty well done in the ring.
"I've enjoyed pro wrestling throughout the years." he said in a January 1976 interview in the local Hayward, Calif., paper. "Although people hated me throughout the years. I've given them their money's worth. No matter what people say. they hare to admit I'm one of the best in the showmanship world."
Based out of Hayward, California, he took some acting roles, including appearances on TV shows such as Kung Fu, and the films Days of a Bawdy Ballad and Hammett. Shibuya appeared in Mr. T and Tina, a short-run sitcom on ABC in 1976, where he played a sumo wrestler named Kazu challenging the star of the show, Pat Morita. He had to shout out his lines in anger and lost his voice by the end of the third day. "I had a ball," he said at the time. "It was five days of real fun, but it was real, real exhausting."
"You know it's a funny thing. Movie actors really liked wrestlers," Shibuya said, adding that it was thrill to get to know stars such as Yul Brenner, John and David Carradine. "These were all guys that I respected as a kid."
After wrestling, he started an engine flushing business in Vallejo, Calif., to take sludge out of the engines of corporate and government fleets: Kinji Shibuya’s Internal Engine Cleaning,
In retirement, Shibuya tended to his garden, and collected Japanese koi.
"Whenever I traveled people often gave me koi," Shibuya explained in a 1974 article about collectors of the Japanese fish. "I'd bring them home in a plastic bag with a little water and some oxygen and give them away to friends. I gave some to a building contractor. One day he came over and built me this pond. He told me to start my own koi collection. That's how I began."
"When I see my koi," he continued. "I think about the friends that gave them to me. That has special meaning."
Shibuya died of natural causes with his family present on May 3, 2010.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Janet, daughter Michele and her fiancé, Jerome Scherer of Danville, Calif., his son Robert Kinji and his wife Michele, and their sons Robert Kinji III and Richard Noboru of Manhattan Beach, Calif. A memorial service will be held in Union City, California on May 16.
RELATED LINKS
# May 20, 2010: Remembering Kinji Shibuya: Hated and beloved
# Previous SLAM! Wrestling obituaries
# The SLAM! Wrestling Movie Database
Greg Oliver has been writing about pro wrestling since 1985. His fifth book, SLAM! Wrestling: Shocking Stories from the Squared Circle came out in the fall of 2009. The four previous books are Benoit: Wrestling with the Horror That Destroyed a Family and Crippled a Sport (with Steven Johnson, Heath McCoy and Irv Muchnick); The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels (with Steven Johnson); The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Tag Teams (also with Johnson) and The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Canadians. Order them all from the SLAM! Wrestling Store. He can be emailed at goliver@canoemail.com.
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