Have you guys checked his size? 7'0" SF, thats enough for a NBA contract. Yi is not trash, but a bust at whatever he was drafted at (#7?).
Some team will offer Yi a contract, but would he play in the NBA for the minimum (or close to it) and sit on the end of the bench? That is the question. Pride is involved. The Bucks trading him after his rookie year (which rarely happens) and the Nets willingness to dump him now speak volumes about Yi's value in the NBA. It makes his attempt to force a trade two summer ago look like a joke. Now I'm just waiting for somebody to compare Yi to Chauncey Billups.
He did whine a bit about the Milwaukee market or something when he got drafted, and by the offseason he was traded to the Nets.
Afaik, he still communicates through a translator which probably hampered his development. We've got Yao to cover for that. We're actually loaded at the wings: Battier, Ron, and McGrady, all tall, productive players so he'll have to move to the PF/C position to play in this team, which he may find to be more suited for him. Is Sean Williams + Yi Jianlian for Dorsey + Cook + picks too hopeful?
have you seen him play? to say that he doesn't have a jump shot is bull. the guy has one of the best shooting form i have ever seen. he shoots a high percentage too when he is confident. the knock on him is that, he is too skinny to play the inside game. that's why he gets pull out of some games. and that hurts his confidence and plays worse. the other thing is, he either lacks motivation or the season is too long for him. last 2 seasons, he came out strong and faded later. he is a good backup at this point. not starting material until he bulk up. he has a fade away jumper too.
Has all the talent in the world, 7 footer with athleticism and great shooting stroke. Problem is all mental- inconsistent focus, no confidence, no intensity. More focus on being a celebrity than being a better basketball player. This guy is a bust, but there IS a tiny chance he could rekindle the intensity and confidence that he showed in the Chinese league with Yao leading him. I would take a chance on this guy down the line, but only for a league minimum type of contract.
He has a good shooting forum but he misses a lot of wide open shots. Most opponents don't really even guard him or let him shoot.
I predicted he will be out of the NBA by 2010. Looks as if it is coming true. He just lacks the commitment and work ethic, seems like a laid back party type of guy unlike Yao who is a workhorse.
With his size he should get a post game, he shoots way too many 3s and jump shots. He's had his moments with the Nets, VC said he has the ability but he had that hand injury and he was never the same after he came back. The Nets have Anderson who is a jump shooting big so Yi is redundant, the rumor is probably true. Pity, because other than LA or SF I can't think of a better place for Yi to play than NJ soon to be Brooklyn.
He has a very good jump shot for a 7 footer (although has lost confidence 2nd half of the season), and he is an okay rebounder, but that is about it. If he is a decent defender, then he'd be good fit for Yao because he'll really spread the floor, but he is terrible at D at this point. He'll have to figure it out soon or he'll be gone from the NBA.
What are you people on? An athletic 7 footer with a jumpshot and rebounding ability will most definitely be in the league past his rookie contract.
