<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">http://nbadraft.net/draftbuzz054.asp Our friends at HoopChina.com have informed us that there is breaking news out of China. Forward Yi Jianlian, considered the top prospect out of Asia since Yao Ming has been given consent by his team, the Guangdong Tigers, and the Chinese Basketball Association to explore this year's NBA draft. This is significant news because the CBA made a rule in 2004 that Chinese players could not enter the draft until they turned 22. Yi is officially listed as 1987 born. But Yi's actual age is in question, (some feel he's actually 1984 born) and he could already be turning 22 this year. Regardless of his actual birth year, the Chinese National team and all official records state that he is 1987 born, and that is unlikely to change. NBA International scouts feel that Yi is an NBA level player regardless if he is 1984 or 1987 born. The one condition from the CBA is that Yi see action in his first season (roughly 10 minutes per game) to make it worthwhile. The CBA doesn't see any point in having a player such as Yi or Wang Zhizhi come to the US to play, and spend all of their time on a team's bench. But the condition is not an ultimatum, instead more of a pact between the CBA and Yi's agent. Yi is easily the most athletic prospect to emerge out of China. Unlike most Chinese players, he has an American style of play with high flying dunks and use of supreme athleticism. Yi's team is currently playing in the CBA finals. On the year, Yi's averages are: 20.5 PPG, 57.41 FG %, 75.08 FT%, 9.6 RPG, 1.3 BPG, 1.2 APG, 2.0 SPG. His biggest adjustment will be getting used to the physicality of the NBA. He has added strength in the past few years, but will need to get much stronger. He has excellent toughness, (considered tougher than Yao Ming) but besides the Olympics (he started for the Chinese team at just 17 years of age), he lacks experience against NBA level athletes. He also has the advantage of being a potential marketing phenomenon like Yao. He'll need to make an impact in the NBA for that to happen, but he's already a fan favorite in China with mass appeal. Yi is likely to explore his options and enter the 2006 draft. He's considered a likely first round pick, with a chance to be a lottery selection if he blows teams away in workouts.</div> Do you guys think he's lottery worthy? Yao said Jianlian is a better prospect than himself.
I definitely have him in the top 10. I wouldnt ming the celtics grabbing him at seven at all. I only see noah (if he goes) aldridge, thomas,gay,morrison,bargnani as loacks ahead of him.
It really depends on team needs. Like the Celtics are allready stacked at the Forward position for SF but Yi would help ticket sales and boston popularity. I hope Rockets grab him We need an athletic SF so we can move TMAC to SG
I saw Yi Jianlian play in China last summer, and here was what I thought of his game. Yi definitely is a different type of player from Yao Ming, but don't be so quick to proclaim him a Dirk Nowitzki or Garnett. I found him to be most comparable to Tim Duncan as he has the range from 20 feet, but he is more of an inside player and is not very vocal. That might have to do with his young age relative to his Chinese teammates, but Yi is more likely to be one who leads by example. Definitely great news for China and Yi. Hopefully he'll become a solid NBA player, and maybe the center, who along with Greg Oden, will challenge Yao Ming for center supremacy in the post-Shaq NBA.
He's a lottery pick? It would be awesome to have him play along-side Yao. It will be the Asian connection.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting spyware:</div><div class="quote_post">He's a lottery pick? It would be awesome to have him play along-side Yao. It will be the Asian connection.</div> Definately, since Houston needs a PF badly (Howard Swift haven't been the solution all season) That'll very marketable and it'll be a great start for Yi. Locke, thats very interesting Tim Duncan.
Umm i don't know i've seem him play and he is like duncan in a way but he seems more explosive with less duncan intangibles and cool calm. China would probably love him to be in houston because they want yao and him to develop chemistry for 2008. I don't know why a lot of you think he can be a SF but he can't he does not have the ball handling or the lateral quickness to play their even though it is still amazing for a 7fter. I believe he will be a cross between garnett and J o'neal
I saw him play on NBATV yesterday and I must say I wasn't too impressed. I don't think he was terrible, but at the same time he doesn't strike me as a player that will ever be on Yao's level.
What impresses me about Yi Jianlian is his mobility and coordination for a player his height. He's not a mechanical player and is very fluid with his basketball moves. He plays with a lot of flare and personality on the court. I think a good comparison is actually Chris Bosh. From the video I've seen Jianlian looks a lot more comfortable facing his man up, taking him off the dribble, and then finishing with some creativity around the rim with either hand. If Jianlian is really declaring this year and allowed to play, he becomes the only "franchise" worthy player in this draft, IMO.
7 ft sf??? only 230 pounds, he should put up some weight, alotta of the nba's players his height are like 50 or something heavier than him
It'll be interesting. A lot of the international scouts a couple years ago were saying when he goes pro, he'll be worthy of a number one overall pick. For whatever reason he's gotten no hype since then though. Seems like he could end up being a complete steal depending on how the draft goes.
He's definitely got a more "American" game than most foreign prospects coming into the league. Great athleticism and a lot more style. The Bosh comparison is great shape. From the few games I've seen of him, I'd venture to say that he's got what Bosh would have had if the Raps developed him as a SF.
I really want to see this guy play for Houston alongside Yao..who can probably make the CBA-NBA transition easier on him....but hey I wouldnt mind him coming to LA either..lol
Yi had an interview I read up on a while back but not too long ago. He said that he would consider going pro when he felt that he was as good a propsect as Yao was when he entered the NBA draft. IMO that time isnt yet but when this guy does hit the NBA watch out.
The kid needs to add some weight to his frame first of all. At only 230 he'll get dominated in the low post by some forwards who have at least 20 pounds on him. As some of you may know, I'm not a big fan of drafting international players. That being said, I would much rather draft a guy like Tyrus Thomas or Lamarcus Aldridge in the lottery, guys that have proven themselves on the second best level in the world.
Yeah...maybe like Chandler, but a better shooter and more moves...I don't think he would be restricted to being a putback dunker...but kind of like Chandler...maybe a shorter range, more post-move oriented Rashard Lewis? food for thought..
More power to my asian ballers out there, I really hope he get a lottery pick given that this year's draft is not exactly like the Lebron class.
