Yi does have potential and upside, I'm high on him making it in the NBA, but the odds favor Bynum when you look at the history of teams winning NBA titles. Bynum still gets double teamed, but recently opposing teams have been using a lot of zone to defend the Lakers. Stagnant ball movement and players standing around are hurting the Triangle offense. Bynum's also been in foul trouble, and you can see him worn down. He's been forced to play more minutes than the team groomed him for because of injuries. Yao's injury and wearing down have everything to do with his size. Carrying 300+ lbs of weight, running up and down a court, banging bodies, and the jumping up and down is hard on the joints. Same is true for Shaq, he's always been plagued with nagging injuries because he prefers to play with extra bulk. When he first came in the league, he was a lot more explosive and dominant at less weight.
Posts like Bynum are pretty hard to find, this kid is going to be special. Guys like Jianlian are a dime a dozen, and it's not like he dominates the asian leagues. He's a 6-11 guy who prefers to play on the perimeter and can't rebound. Sounds like a poor-man's Lamar Odom.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Based on what? Bynum is younger, stronger, and has the frame to carry even more bulk. Bynum has soft hands and a soft touch around the rim, what do you see in Yi that would trigger such a bold statement from you?</div> Actually Yi and Bynum have the exact same birthday, 10/17/87, that is, if that is Yi's real age. Sure Bynum is much stronger than Yi is, but Yi plays 4, not 5.
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">He sounds and looks a lot like Andrea Bargnani.</div> I think Yi is more athletic than Bargnani. Yi is a better rebounder, not an as good shooter, even Yi shoots very well from outside. BTW, Bargnani was Yi's sub in the 04 Hoop Summit game (world vs usa).
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Here's what Locke said about him:</div> Here are some numbers of Yi vs Splitter, Wang Zhizhi or Yao. WCP: Splitter 16.4pts 6.7rebs 0.6blks 33.3mins Yi 6.2pts 5.7rebs 1.3blks 17.7mins (Yao 25.3pts 9rebs 2.3blks 32.3mins) Exhibition games prior WCP -- China vs Brazil Splitter 18/6, Yao 16/6, Yi 19/12, Varejao 12/8 Splitter was on Yao, Yi on Varejao. (Yao's 2nd game back from injury.) China vs USA Yi 14/9 (13/7 in WCP) Brazil vs USA Splitter 7/7 CBA this season, Yi 24.8/12.4 in 33mins (57.9%(2ptrs), 16.2%, 78.7%) Wang 26.6/9.5 in 32.6mins (58.5%, 43.8%, 83.8%) Wang's reb in NBA (1.7 in 9.2mins) I don't know how Locke watched Yi in that tournament. But Yi's no way a low post player at this point. He can attack the basket, but mostly facing it, not with his back to it. He simply isn't strong enough to back people down at this point. He doesn't have great footwork in the paint either. But Yi doesn't have glaring holes in his game as a PF. He can shoot from 20 feet out very well, finish at the rim, has a nice turn-around (fadeaway) jumper. He is a good rebounder, at least shown from the stats above. He was also a top rebounder in 03 world junior championship. IMO, he still needs to get stronger, improve his handle and passing. He is also somewhat turnover prone. Both Danny Ainge and Mitch Kupchak spent about a week recently in China, primarily scouting on Yi. Yao recently commented the Suns will be a great fit for Yi (because he can run and gun, as well as rebound and defend a little). But I think the Chinese fans would very glad too if he somehow ends up with the Lakers. But I don't see how the Lakers will get him without trading up.
Is Yi Jianlian even a lottery pick to begin with? Either way though, if we trade for Jason Kidd, we will lose our first round pick, so I doubt this happens
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Yi does have potential and upside, I'm high on him making it in the NBA, but the odds favor Bynum when you look at the history of teams winning NBA titles.</div> Like I said, only time will tell. It was stupid of me to make that comment when I think of it. Both are young, and one hasn't even stepped onto an NBA court. It is premature to say who will be better in the long run, my bad. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Yao's injury and wearing down have everything to do with his size. Carrying 300+ lbs of weight, running up and down a court, banging bodies, and the jumping up and down is hard on the joints. </div> But it depends on proportion. Yao's weight is spread througout his body evenly. You also have to consider that he is 7-6. Imo his weight not fitting with his frame isn't so much of the problem as Yao isn't bulky or overweight. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting XSV:</div><div class="quote_post">Sounds like a poor-man's Lamar Odom.</div> Hardly....
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Is Yi Jianlian even a lottery pick to begin with? Either way though, if we trade for Jason Kidd, we will lose our first round pick, so I doubt this happens</div> He should be in the lottery or just outside of it, depending on which underclassmen declare. wireonfire - Locke had a chance to watch him play last year when he went to Asia on vacation. It's possible Yi expanded his game since then, to become more of a face up attacking forward instead of a post player.
Can someone explain to me what's so special about this guy? Because he's a 6-11 guy who can play both forward positions? So could Jon Bender and so can Odom. The guy is 21-22 and isn't exactly dominating lesser international competition. I'd take Splitter over him anyday.
<div class="quote_poster">XSV Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Can someone explain to me what's so special about this guy? Because he's a 6-11 guy who can play both forward positions? So could Jon Bender and so can Odom. The guy is 21-22 and isn't exactly dominating lesser international competition. I'd take Splitter over him anyday.</div> Okay, let me ask you what is so special about Splitter then? Oh, maybe because he doesn't have a jump shot, shoots free throws at 50%, rebounds and blocks at much less efficiency than Yi Jianlian (see above). Is that what you want for your big man?? Yi is full 7 feet, not 6-11. His age may subject to questioning, not his height--Chinese don't measure height with their shoes on. And he is not a 3! His natural position is 4, maybe down the road he'll play some 5. He averaged 18/12 in 2003 world youth championship. He stood toe to toe to the premier big men (Howard, Bosh, Brand) in the NBA in the two games against the USA (14/9, 13/7/2b) last summer. What did Splitter do?
