<div class="quote_poster">Clif25 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">There is some truth to this, but when you are from the Chinese Basketball league, you better at least work out against someone for the scouts. I believe Kevin Durant was NCAA Player of the Year. That is much more proven than a 22 year old (or however old he is) coming from China with hype. If Don Nelson and Chris Mullin think he is the real deal, and if Yi's stock is really falling, then perhaps the Warriors can refrain from doing such a big trade of JRich for the 5th pick just to get Yi. Perhaps with the two second round picks the Warriors could do number 18 and one of the other second rounders to move up a few spots to grab him. All I am thinking is that Yi, a tall, athletic, shooter, and very unproven reminds me of Skita. And I was one of the people who was intrigued by Skita when he was in the 2002 draft. The only reasons why I could think Dan Fegan is doing this for Yi is because Yi has some major flaws in his game (the author of that assertion even noted that after watching footage of him the last few days that they he came away "somewhat underwhelmed") that he wants to hide or he is trying to get his stock to fall to later in the first round to play in perhaps a better Chinese demographic areas like the Bay Area and Los Angeles.</div> Good points -- but remember, Yao Ming came from the Chinese league, and people didn't know whether he'd be able to even function in the nBA, despite his size. Now, his is the most dominant big man in the league. Not that Yi is Yao (or yin is yang), just an observation. But I agree Durant has proven himself more than Yi, of course, but Durant is top 3, while I still think Yi is top 10. But I hope he falls -- that'd be great!
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Good points -- but remember, Yao Ming came from the Chinese league, and people didn't know whether he'd be able to even function in the nBA, despite his size. Now, his is the most dominant big man in the league.</div> Yao is good, but he's not that dominant. It may be true that he is the most dominant big man in the NBA now, but that's because there aren't many dominant big men in the league. I wouldn't say he's distanced himself too much to be a unanimous choice. In terms of most dominant I would say Duncan. Then you have Amare and Boozer. And Jermaine O'neil. Dwight Howard continues to get better. Does KG count as a big man? I would take Duncan, Amare, and Boozer over Yao. The biggest problem with Yao is that he's not clutch. He's a good rebounder and shot blocker and defender, but for his size he should be more imposing. And he's nowhere near a top rebounder, shot blocker or defender. He's good offensively, but he also turns it over a lot. Not to mention he lacks stamina and some mobility due to his size, which is why he's not a better rebounder, shot blocker, or defender. But again he's not clutch. He hasn't led his team anywhere. The Rockets were pretty good without him this season. Not sure about Yi. He's a completely different player. What Yao has going for him was his above average size and that he plays center. Not many good centers in the league. Yi has size too, but only height and not really strength, which if he were to play PF he would get abused on defense. That's my main worry about him. That means he's gonna have to be phenomenal on offense to make up for it.
1140 in Sacramento was talking this morning about a proposed J-Rich + #18 for Artest + #10. I would not want any part of this deal, what do you guys think?
<div class="quote_poster">ryanfish Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">1140 in Sacramento was talking this morning about a proposed J-Rich + #18 for Artest + #10. I would not want any part of this deal, what do you guys think?</div> Hell no -- I wouldn't trade POB for Artest. I would have before the Pacer-to-Indy trade, but he proved it wasn't a change of scenery he needd, but a change of self. Chemistry was horrible in Sac-to, and my guess is it would go downhill in GS if Artest were to be come a Warrior -- my 2 cents
<div class="quote_poster">ryanfish Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">1140 in Sacramento was talking this morning about a proposed J-Rich + #18 for Artest + #10. I would not want any part of this deal, what do you guys think?</div> Woah, that could be a high risk, high reward type of scenario, but Artest is not my idea of building a stable team. He's got more impact defensively than Jrich, but I don't like Artest's personality. The last thing we need to do is re-unite him and Sjax together and have them start doing dumb stuff again. I do think if Yi fell to #10 he could be as good as Pau Gasol one day but not instantly because there's a lot of nba matchups that could hold him in check before he starts getting better. Plus, I'd hate to give up Jrich for him. Just when we got a 20ppg consistent scorer that can do damage on back to back nights, we're going to get rid of him? Lot of us thought Jrich was never going to be anything but a dunker, but he got better and better. And he's no Murphy or Dunleavy type year to year improvement, he's got way more tools he's developed and he's got a lot of upside left. Also, there's no guarantee we might find ourselves landing Yi at #10. If we land anybody else at #10, I don't really want it for a Jrich/Artest swap.
