View Poll Results: This shouldn't be here

kisstherim · 02-24-2007, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Yi Jianlian, Wanna Play the Chinese Lottery?

Last year we stated that Yi Jianlian wouldn’t likely become the next international superstar in the NBA. We still feel the same about him, although he’s a very intriguing guy who should emerge into a valuable player in the world’s strongest league. As always, his terrific combination of size and athleticism sets him apart from your common prospect. But he probably misses enough go-to firepower to get that far, although despite the lack of competitiveness he faces day in and day out in the CBA, he has managed to keep improving, not spectacularly, but still at a solid rate.

It’s not easy to picture the areas in which Yi has developed his game. Actually, there’s not any dramatic change in any of his strengths or flaws. His averages, for example, have evolved pretty steadily from the past season, going from 20.5 to 24.8 points and 9.7 to 11.4 rebounds.

Perhaps his shooting stroke has emerged as his best weapon when thinking about a NBA future. It could become both a way to take advantage of the open looks generated by his teammates, as well as the easiest resource to create his own shot. Yi shows growing consistency knocking down jumpers from the mid-range area. He enjoys nice mechanics and elevation releasing his shot, which makes it quite difficult to stop, and even you can eventually see him stepping back and shooting off the dribble while creating separation from his defender. Still the foundation of his ability to create his own shot mainly rests in his turnaround jumper and with an occasional fade-away move. He becomes almost unstoppable in this fashion, particularly when you consider his size and athleticism. Actually, this is a rather usual way of finishing low post situations for him. His free-throw percentages reflect his increased accuracy pretty well, as he’s hitting close to the 80% mark, which is pretty remarkable for a 7-footer. This shooting stroke will likely be translated easily to the NBA and could become quite helpful in order to play the power forward position there.

If we talk about the center position, Yi enjoys a nice frame and he’s relatively strong for his age, but still suffers noticeably against more physical rivals. Indeed, perhaps the main reason why Guangdong lost both games versus Jiangsu was Yi’s inability to properly challenge Tang Zhendong’s dominance in the paint-- even if he made Tang pay for his lack of quickness with perimeter shots and some slashing moves-- as he was regularly outmuscled by the strong center on both ends of the court. In the low post on the offensive end, Yi offers little else than the aforementioned turnaround jumper whenever he faces serious competition. His low-post moves are very simple and his semi-hook shots still a work in progress. When he faces inferior competition, he usually just turns around, easily gets off his feet, and puts the ball in the net over his rival. Meanwhile, he often fails to get a high enough arch on his hook shots when he needs to, particularly if the rival is being physical with him, so it becomes a difficult task to release the ball over bigger defenders. However, he displays a decent soft touch with his right hand, although he struggles quite a bit with his left.

Still in the low post, Yi can put the ball on the floor trying to take the baseline and look for a reverse layup, although he often gets out of control in the process. To be more productive off the dribble, Yi needs to take his matchup further from the basket and enjoy spaces to attack him without drawing defensive rotations, as his ball-handling skills are not anything more than average at this point. On defense, it’s all a matter of strength. He has the physical-athletic gifts to dominate most of the CBA competition, but he can be pushed around by guys like Zhendong. Besides, we still don’t see a proper team-oriented defense, as he persists in going after blocks instead of focusing on stopping his rival, which he would easily be able to do on a regular basis thanks to his mobility and lateral quickness. On the other hand, he looks a bit more physical than last season in his match-ups.

Whenever Yi makes it to the NBA, we will likely see him much more active playing without the ball than he looks now. As the centerpiece of the Tigers, he’s often the first offensive option, asking for the ball to start the offense through him. Actually, his most usual move is to gain position in the low post. But Yi enjoys terrific potential as a pick-and-roll finisher. With his length and athleticism, he would be really difficult to stop once he received in motion after setting the pick and heading towards the basket.

With the CBA allowing Yi to enter the NBA draft and the Chinese big showing improvement –even reaching the 40-point mark twice in January-- he will have a legit chance of making the lottery in June. The CBA playoffs, and especially the hypothetical Finals against Tang’s Jiangsu, will help to clarify his stock. Even more important could be the private workout process, but we’re yet to know which strategy him and his American agent Dan Fegan will take, although let’s remember that a different caliber of player, Yao Ming, settled for a lone workout shared by all NBA teams. Anyway, weighing Yi’s characteristics, it won’t be easy to see him falling out of the top half of the first round. After all, it’s not every day you find big guys with his athleticism and skills. At this point, chances are some NBA team will indeed play the Chinese lottery.

**Yao Mania** · 03-08-2007, 06:03 PM

so which team could best use someone like Yi right now? Mocks have him going at #8 or 9, which would land him w/ either Seattle or Portland. Portland already have their collection of overgrown kids so I don't think Yi will get much playing time there. Seattle is intriguing because they're a soft running team and Yi should fit in well with them, and being able to contribute too because of Seattle's lack of front court talent right now.

From a marketing standpoint this is exactly what the financially-troubled Sonics need too. I can just see the flock of Chinese people in Vancouver driving down to Seattle to watch Yi play...

**MemphisX** · 03-15-2007, 06:52 AM

Jerry West projects Yi as the #3 overall pick in the draft. This was said in a State of the Franchise meeting. He didn't mention him by name, just said a 7 foot Chinese kid.

rainman · 03-15-2007, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MemphisX

Jerry West projects Yi as the #3 overall pick in the draft. This was said in a State of the Franchise meeting. He didn't mention him by name, just said a 7 foot Chinese kid.

I've been saying he'd go there for quite some time, i guess when the logo says it people actually listen. My follow up question would be, do the Grizz take him if they have the 3rd pick?

**Yao Mania** · 03-15-2007, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MemphisX

Jerry West projects Yi as the #3 overall pick in the draft. This was said in a State of the Franchise meeting. He didn't mention him by name, just said a 7 foot Chinese kid.

7 foot chinese guy

Well I guess the Grizz has become an uptempo team so Yi would go well with that. He's similar to Stro in terms of length and athleticism, but Stro's a bit more athletic and Yi's taller and much more intelligent (though Yi does have his boneheaded moments as well).

**Yao Mania** · 03-15-2007, 09:26 PM

It's Yi v.s. Wang for the CBA title:
http://english.people.com.cn/200703/...16_358221.html

Quote:

Basketball sensation Yi Jianlian wants a fourth straight domestic league title before leaving for the NBA, but standing in his way is China's original "Walking Great Wall", Wang Zhizhi.

Yi's Guangdong Tigers have won three straight titles, but seven-time champions Bayi Rockets have been fired up by the returning Wang, meaning this time round the Tigers will have to fight like never before.

"I don't want to think about the NBA draft. All I'm thinking about now is beating Bayi and dominating the Finals," Yi, 19, was quoted as saying by Sina.com.

Winning the CBA title has become an auspicious way to say goodbye.

In 2001, Wang held off a strong challenge from the Yao Ming-led Shanghai Sharks to give Bayi their sixth trophy, before joining the Dallas Mavericks to become the first Chinese in the NBA. The following year a rising Yao dominated the Playoffs, elevating himself to the first international top pick in the 2002 Draft.

Yi wants to ensure that history repeats itself.

Quote:

Yi has made rapid progress this year in helping his team finish top in the regular season. He improved his 20.5 points and 9.6 rebounds in 2006 to 29 points and 13.67 rebounds. He scored 35 points and ripped down 14 boards to power Guangdong past Jiangsu Nangang in the semifinal decider last week.

"Everybody sees his improvement," CBA Chief Li Yuanwei told China Daily. "He's only had three years to become a superstar. He is getting stronger day by day and both his attack and defense are better than ever. I think he is already well-prepared for the NBA Draft and also the upcoming showdown with Wang."

Yi's improvement has been noted by NBA draft experts. NBAdraft.net listed him as 15th pick three months ago but now he has risen to 7th, currently projected to be Seattle Sonics, while ESPN.com has him going as high as 6th out of 150 prospects.

"Yi has made tremendous progress in recent months," wrote ESPN.com draft expert Chad Ford. "If you take a look at how he's playing in the Play-offs in the Chinese league, you'll know why we list him higher than before."

kisstherim · 03-18-2007, 04:14 PM

Some highlights of Yi Jianlian in Game 1 of CBA finals:

against Wang Zhizhi

block

Jizzy · 03-18-2007, 04:22 PM

Top 3 pick.

rainman · 03-18-2007, 05:49 PM

I know you dont draft based on marketability, at least i dont think you do, but he just might be a bit of a media darling, some markets more than others for sure. Great athlete for his size.

Jizzy · 03-18-2007, 05:53 PM

The team that drafts him will have major Chinese revenue. I mean, Shane Battier alsmot made the All Star by the Chinese alone. Any team drafts him will have two things on there mind

A. His awesome potential. How many 7 fters can jump like him? Run the floor? Handle the ball?

B. The marketing that team will have, here and in China.

rainman · 03-18-2007, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jizzy

The team that drafts him will have major Chinese revenue. I mean, Shane Battier alsmot made the All Star by the Chinese alone. Any team drafts him will have two things on there mind

A. His awesome potential. How many 7 fters can jump like him? Run the floor? Handle the ball?

B. The marketing that team will have, here and in China.

Is there any truth to the rumors that Yi was almost a writein candidate for this past allstar game? (that was a joke...i think)

Jizzy · 03-18-2007, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainman

Is there any truth to the rumors that Yi was almost a writein candidate for this past allstar game? (that was a joke...i think)

Wow, never heard about that. Pretty funny if it's true though. You know Shane Battier is making milions just to go to China?

**Yao Mania** · 03-18-2007, 07:48 PM

thx for the highlights ktr. Yi and his team lost that game though

The way he moves, no way you'd think he's a 7-footer. The kid will still need to make adjustments in the big leagues (can't just rely on athleticism anymore and game will be more physical), but he'll do well for himself I think.

**gambitnut** · 03-18-2007, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yao Mania

so which team could best use someone like Yi right now? Mocks have him going at #8 or 9, which would land him w/ either Seattle or Portland. Portland already have their collection of overgrown kids so I don't think Yi will get much playing time there. Seattle is intriguing because they're a soft running team and Yi should fit in well with them, and being able to contribute too because of Seattle's lack of front court talent right now.

From a marketing standpoint this is exactly what the financially-troubled Sonics need too. I can just see the flock of Chinese people in Vancouver driving down to Seattle to watch Yi play...

The only kids Portland has that are as overgrown as Yi are Randolph and Aldridge and Seattle has taken big men in the lottery for three years in a row. Also, Portland has the largest Chinese Garden outside of China.

**Yao Mania** · 03-18-2007, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gambitnut

The only kids Portland has that are as overgrown as Yi are Randolph and Aldridge and Seattle has taken big men in the lottery for three years in a row. Also, Portland has the largest Chinese Garden outside of China.

Yah you're right, I keep thinking Outlaw and Webster are taller than they are for some reason. And for Seattle's bigs... they're there, but Yi would definitely be an upgrade for Swift/Petro/Collison at the 4/5. Yi's more of a finesse player, while the other guys are more grinding post players.

No need to sell me how "Chinese" Portland is, I'm not Yi's agent :biggrin:

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