the Bucks were dumb to draft a guy that didn't want to play there. they screwed themselves AND him. anyway Yi has a right not to play for them, it's still a free country last time I checked. but if he wants to join the league later, it's going to be tough.
<div class="quote_poster">XSV Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'm not sure why you keep ignoring common sense, and what people have been saying all along. It is the Bucks' right as a team to draft the best player available, and Yi should be damn grateful he's even playing in the NBA at all. Do you actually think its right that a player chooses where he is drafted? I thought Stern was the worst commissioner possible, but I'd hate to have you running the league.</div> I'm not saying what Yi's doing here is right, but I do agree with his intentions here. Yi's the biggest thing that's happened since Yao Ming for the game of basketball in China. Why don't you think guys aren't hyping Sun Yue up? He doesn't have the same potential and talent that Yi does and I think Yi will be a good player at this level. I don't mind that he plays in Milwaukee, but it was clear that Yi and his agent didn't want Milwaukee to draft him. That's kind of like saying you trade for Allen Iverson and he ends up protesting or holding out because he's clearly states that he doesn't want to play for that team. And for the people who don't think he will be good in the NBA, why do you even think the Bucks drafted him in the first place? If the Bucks shared the same opinions as you guys, then Yi wouldn't their choice at all. <div class="quote_poster">NYC_Balla Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">the Bucks were dumb to draft a guy that didn't want to play there. they screwed themselves AND him. anyway Yi has a right not to play for them, it's still a free country last time I checked. but if he wants to join the league later, it's going to be tough.</div> Thank you, the Bucks got themselves in this situation in the first place. It's going to make Yi an asshole, but he does have the right where he wants to go. it's like the same as anyone in the NBA who demands a trade during the season.
i can see Yi's first game against the bucks right now, players are going to get really rough with him.
it was a stupid asshat move for them to draft him knowing his feelings on playing in the city....the draft was very deep and now their pick is worthless
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Will637:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm not saying what Yi's doing here is right, but I do agree with his intentions here. Yi's the biggest thing that's happened since Yao Ming for the game of basketball in China. Why don't you think guys aren't hyping Sun Yue up? He doesn't have the same potential and talent that Yi does and I think Yi will be a good player at this level. I don't mind that he plays in Milwaukee, but it was clear that Yi and his agent didn't want Milwaukee to draft him. That's kind of like saying you trade for Allen Iverson and he ends up protesting or holding out because he's clearly states that he doesn't want to play for that team. And for the people who don't think he will be good in the NBA, why do you even think the Bucks drafted him in the first place? If the Bucks shared the same opinions as you guys, then Yi wouldn't their choice at all.</div> See that doesn't add up, in my opinion. I know you're trying to sound like you don't condone Yi's actions, but you basically are. You're saying the Bucks shouldn't have drafted probably the best player on the board, because he didn't want to go to Milwaukee. That just defeats the purpose of the draft. I don't see how anyone can defend Yi's right to choose where he wants to go. Do you think half the rookies want to go play on the team they're drafted by? Of course not, but they report and play for those teams anyway because they understand that its out of their hands. Sh*t, if it we let everyone behave like Yi, places like Toronto/Milwaukee/Minnesota wouldn't have a team and LA/New York/Chicago would always have a ridiculously unfair advantage. Yi needs to grow up and realize how lucky he is to be drafted with a guaranteed contract. If the "next big thing in Chinese basketball" can't understand that he can't get everything his way as an NBA rookie, then he should just stay in China.
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">See that doesn't add up, in my opinion. I know you're trying to sound like you don't condone Yi's actions, but you basically are. You're saying the Bucks shouldn't have drafted probably the best player on the board, because he didn't want to go to Milwaukee. That just defeats the purpose of the draft. </div> Not really, lots of teams go into the draft only looking for someone to fill up that depth chart, not just the best player available. I don't know what the Bucks were thinking drafting him thinking that they can talk some sense into them knowing that there really was nothing that could change their minds. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't see how anyone can defend Yi's right to choose where he wants to go. Do you think half the rookies want to go play on the team they're drafted by? Of course not, but they report and play for those teams anyway because they understand that its out of their hands. Sh*t, if it we let everyone behave like Yi, places like Toronto/Milwaukee/Minnesota wouldn't have a team and LA/New York/Chicago would always have a ridiculously unfair advantage.</div> "Half" of those rookies aren't from China though, so they don't realize what kind of expectations Yi needs to live being from China and having the potential and talent he holds. For a typical black dude projected to go lottery-1st round, he knows an country isn't on his back for him to carry into the NBA. Remember how it was like for Yao when he came into the league? You even watched the Year of the Yao? He had meetings with the government who all told him how big this was for him and that they relied on him to carry the name of China while playing in the NBA. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Yi needs to grow up and realize how lucky he is to be drafted with a guaranteed contract. If the "next big thing in Chinese basketball" can't understand that he can't get everything his way as an NBA rookie, then he should just stay in China.</div> You can't deny that he's humble to be in the NBA, but to Yi and his party, it's all about marketing early on.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Not really, lots of teams go into the draft only looking for someone to fill up that depth chart, not just the best player available. </div> Why does that matter? That's the most irrelevant point I've ever read. The fact of the matter is that the Bucks wanted him, whether it was because he was the best player on the board or a good fit doesn't matter. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"Half" of those rookies aren't from China though, so they don't realize what kind of expectations Yi needs to live being from China and having the potential and talent he holds. For a typical black dude projected to go lottery-1st round, he knows an country isn't on his back for him to carry into the NBA. Remember how it was like for Yao when he came into the league? You even watched the Year of the Yao? He had meetings with the government who all told him how big this was for him and that they relied on him to carry the name of China while playing in the NBA.</div> Still think it's not a racial issue, Chutney? Just reading Will's post, he doesn't see it as an American-Chinese thing, he sees it as a racial thing, and that's how most see it. Will, you know that Yi was an underclassmen, right? When he filed the paperwork to enter the draft, he agreed that he'd go to whichever team drafted him. There's no way you can defend him. Let me pose a hypothetical question though. What if Andrew Bogut refused to play for the Bucks? Would he be justified as well?
<div class="quote_poster">Voodoo Child Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> Will, you know that Yi was an underclassmen, right? When he filed the paperwork to enter the draft, he agreed that he'd go to whichever team drafted him. There's no way you can defend him. Let me pose a hypothetical question though. What if Andrew Bogut refused to play for the Bucks? Would he be justified as well?</div> I never said I condoned Yi's behavior because all that's doing is making him look bad when he hasn't played a game in the NBA yet, but I do agree with their intentions on marketing and making him a big name to represent the country of China. I'm just blaming the Bucks for starting this in the first place by drafting him. They knew Yi and his party didn't want anything to do with them, and like it or not, there's only going to be controversy and disagreements if they drafted him.
<div class="quote_poster">Will637 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Not really, lots of teams go into the draft only looking for someone to fill up that depth chart, not just the best player available. I don't know what the Bucks were thinking drafting him thinking that they can talk some sense into them knowing that there really was nothing that could change their minds.</div> Yea, and lots of teams go into the draft looking for the best player available (mostly lottery teams). If that was the Bucks' gameplan, I don't see why they're open to criticism. They should have every right to choose any player on the board without having to go through all b.s. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Will637:</div><div class="quote_post">"Half" of those rookies aren't from China though, so they don't realize what kind of expectations Yi needs to live being from China and having the potential and talent he holds. For a typical black dude projected to go lottery-1st round, he knows an country isn't on his back for him to carry into the NBA. Remember how it was like for Yao when he came into the league? You even watched the Year of the Yao? He had meetings with the government who all told him how big this was for him and that they relied on him to carry the name of China while playing in the NBA. </div> So, we should disregard all the rules because this guy HAS to be the next big thing for Chinese basketball? Did you ever think that maybe he doesn't deserve to get all that hype and recognition if he can't even handle the transition to the NBA? I couldn't care less about all the pressure he must feel. There are so many players who come into the league with their families depending on that first contract, and I'm sure Yi's not going through that right now. There's no reason for him to be an exception to the rule. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Will637:</div><div class="quote_post">You can't deny that he's humble to be in the NBA, but to Yi and his party, it's all about marketing early on.</div> He's been anything but humble since being drafted. The dude's approaching this NBA thing like its a given, when in reality he's lucky to have teams bending over backwards for him.
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Yea, and lots of teams go into the draft looking for the best player available (mostly lottery teams). If that was the Bucks' gameplan, I don't see why they're open to criticism. They should have every right to choose any player on the board without having to go through all b.s.</div> Yeah well, deal it with them and Yi. They're the ones who caused the problem, no? Yi and his party made his intentions clear to situate Yi in the right team, that's why they closed out workouts for some teams. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">So, we should disregard all the rules because this guy HAS to be the next big thing for Chinese basketball? Did you ever think that maybe he doesn't deserve to get all that hype and recognition if he can't even handle the transition to the NBA?</div> Nope. What makes you think he doesn't deserve the hype and recognition? His attitude and that he wants to demand a trade? Why don't we attack on everybody else that demands a trade in the NBA because there really isn't anything different with them and Yi. If you don't think it's right for Yi to demand a trade just because he hasn't played a game in the NBA, then think that, but teams see as a top 5 player in the draft for a reason you know. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I couldn't care less about all the pressure he must feel. There are so many players who come into the league with their families depending on that first contract, and I'm sure Yi's not going through that right now. There's no reason for him to be an exception to the rule.</div> Wow, you think a close family of 4 or 5, or hey, extend it to 20 family members has the same effect of a population of 1.3 billion people in China(not to include his family as well)? No one's trying to excuse him from the rules of the Draft, he's just trying to get out of the situation. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He's been anything but humble since being drafted. The dude's approaching this NBA thing like its a given, when in reality he's lucky to have teams bending over backwards for him.</div> When did he say that? He's just trying to put himself in the best situation by the start of the season, so he's able to represent his country and let it last long.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Wow, you think a close family of 4 or 5, or hey, extend it to 20 family members has the same effect of a population of 1.3 billion people in China(not to include his family as well)? No one's trying to excuse him from the rules of the Draft, he's just trying to get out of the situation. </div> 1.2 billion of those people people don't give a **** about Yi. Your points still don't make sense though. When you agree to enter the NBA draft as an underclassmen, you agree to play for whichever team drafts you. This isn't Fran Vasquez all over again, because Vasquez was 22 years old and didn't even work out for NBA teams. Yi had every intention of playing in the NBA and signed paper work making himself eligible. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He's just trying to put himself in the best situation by the start of the season, so he's able to represent his country and let it last long.</div> Milwaukee isn't a good situation? You think he'd be better off as a Clipper competing with Brand and Kaman for playing time? Or maybe a King, playing behind Abdur-Rahim, Miller, and Hawes? The Bucks have the best chance at offering Yi playing time.
<div class="quote_poster">Voodoo Child Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">1.2 billion of those people people don't give a **** about Yi.</div> Just like how they didn't give a **** about Yao? Look how much the NBA has changed since Yao. Basketball in China has gotten bigger with the China Games in Octobers, Basketball without borders program, a lot of people in China encouraged to play basketball. How is the potential of doing things like that different with Yi? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Your points still don't make sense though. When you agree to enter the NBA draft as an underclassmen, you agree to play for whichever team drafts you.</div> That's true, I'm not denying that and that's why they tried to handle that situation during the work-outs right? They never figured the Bucks would be idiotic enough to still draft Yi even though they never gave a peek to him. I'm still not condoning Yi's behavior, even though I think he could have a nice start in Milwaukee as a player, but how would marketing work out in a town like Milwaukee? Where do they rank in team revenue per year? 28th. Where do the Rockets stand when Yao got drafted? 4th. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Milwaukee isn't a good situation? You think he'd be better off as a Clipper competing with Brand and Kaman for playing time? Or maybe a King, playing behind Abdur-Rahim, Miller, and Hawes?</div> I never said Yi would perform badly with the Bucks, but where do you think Yi will get more exposure and all that ****? Milwaukee or California?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Will637:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah well, deal it with them and Yi. They're the ones who caused the problem, no? Yi and his party made his intentions clear to situate Yi in the right team, that's why they closed out workouts for some teams.</div> They caused the problem? That's ridiculous. This whole situation began when Yi (or his agents) came in with the attitude that they could pick and choose what team he would begin his NBA career with. They had every right to limit his workouts to teams that they wanted to draft him, but the Bucks called his bluff and he should man up and play for them. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Will637:</div><div class="quote_post">Nope. What makes you think he doesn't deserve the hype and recognition? His attitude and that he wants to demand a trade? Why don't we attack on everybody else that demands a trade in the NBA because there really isn't anything different with them and Yi. If you don't think it's right for Yi to demand a trade just because he hasn't played a game in the NBA, then think that, but teams see as a top 5 player in the draft for a reason you know.</div> That was a hypothetical. IF he can't handle the transition the NBA without being a total primadonna, THEN he doesn't deserve all this hype. And for the record, I feel the exact same way about every other player who demands a trade. Its selfish, against the rules and I don't understand why people thinks its acceptable. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Will637:</div><div class="quote_post">Wow, you think a close family of 4 or 5, or hey, extend it to 20 family members has the same effect of a population of 1.3 billion people in China(not to include his family as well)? No one's trying to excuse him from the rules of the Draft, he's just trying to get out of the situation. </div> Yea, but he's not starving for cash right now like some players who enter the NBA. Or how about foreign players who have million dollar buyouts and have to pay the majority of it out of their own pocket when they come over to the NBA. Anyways, the point I was trying to show that Yi's not the only player who is coming to the NBA under difficult circumstances. And, in the grand scheme of things, it shouldn't matter anyways. And how isn't he trying to be an exception to the rules of the draft? The rules are that you enter the draft, get picked by a team, and join that team. If he wants to be in the NBA, he should join the team that drafted him. Otherwise he is trying to be an exception. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Will637:</div><div class="quote_post">When did he say that? He's just trying to put himself in the best situation by the start of the season, so he's able to represent his country and let it last long.</div> He's said that through his actions. If he really was humble, he'd be happy Milwaukee would think enough of him to pick him that high and join them already. Instead, he thinks that he's good enough to choose where he goes.
<div class="quote_poster">TmacGarnett Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Yi said he didn't want to play for Milwakee before the draft. Honestly, that isn't how the draft works and he should report to training camp for the team. BUT honestly, why would you draft this guy if he said he didn't wanna play for you. Thats ridiculously stupid on the Bucks part. Yes, you are right it is not fair and he should come to play but honestly. You could have drafted better talent. You guys have Bogut and Villanueva...why not draft Corey Brewer or Julian Wright or even Brandan Wright.</div> I agree. They were looking at the draft as "drafting the best player available" but even with that in mind I don't know Yi is the right pick. Someone like Corey Brewer could have been perfect for the Bucks. With Simmons injury prone and really having no one at the 3 he fits right in. A line-up of: PG: Mo Williams SG: Michael Redd SF: Corey Brewer PF: Charlie Villanueva C: Andrew Bogut is very young and talented and could go very far in the East. But theres no use looking on what they could have done. What they need to do now is find the best possible trade scenario. A package with Yi in it to the Nets for Jefferson would be nice.
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">They caused the problem? That's ridiculous. This whole situation began when Yi (or his agents) came in with the attitude that they could pick and choose what team he would begin his NBA career with. They had every right to limit his workouts to teams that they wanted to draft him, but the Bucks called his bluff and he should man up and play for them.</div> They never had the choice to pick whichever team they wanted, but they didn't want any trouble like they have right now to start with. I never said it was right for them to be angry, but I understand why they are angry. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">That was a hypothetical. IF he can't handle the transition the NBA without being a total primadonna, THEN he doesn't deserve all this hype. </div> He can definitely handle the transition to the NBA on the court, but China doesn't want to pass out on this opportunity with Yi for publicity. Look my previous post or 2 of how I mentioned Yao changed the game of basketball for chinese people in America and the country of China. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Yea, but he's not starving for cash right now like some players who enter the NBA. Or how about foreign players who have million dollar buyouts and have to pay the majority of it out of their own pocket when they come over to the NBA. Anyways, the point I was trying to show that Yi's not the only player who is coming to the NBA under difficult circumstances. And, in the grand scheme of things, it shouldn't matter anyways.</div> Yi incoming over from China wasn't a buyout issue, from what I know. They encouraged him to go over to the NBA and be a positive influence for the game of basketball in China. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">And how isn't he trying to be an exception to the rules of the draft? The rules are that you enter the draft, get picked by a team, and join that team. If he wants to be in the NBA, he should join the team that drafted him. Otherwise he is trying to be an exception.</div> How many times have players expressed trade or have a bad feeling about the team getting drafted to? Yi's a different situation anyway with the potential he's carrying over from China, than other players. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He's said that through his actions. If he really was humble, he'd be happy Milwaukee would think enough of him to pick him that high and join them already. Instead, he thinks that he's good enough to choose where he goes.</div> And how do you know that yourself? I don't think he's a bad guy, but it's just business for him and his agents. Look at Gilbert Arenas and his decision to opt out next year. Last year, he was willing to take a pay-cut to help out salary cap issues for the Wizards, but now he wants money to settle down for his infants. Do you think he will get more exposure from a team that's ranked 27th in team revenue or from a team over in California?
I hope he turns into a bust or nobody will pick him up... And that's coming from a Chinese person. If I was the Bucks' GM I'd just hold on to him and not move him at all. Let him rot for all I care. Playing in the NBA is a privilege that shouldn't be taken advantage of.
<div class="quote_poster">Will637 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I never said Yi would perform badly with the Bucks, but where do you think Yi will get more exposure and all that ****? Milwaukee or California?</div> Who cares? This is the NBA, not the Victorias Secret fashion show, your job is to play Basketball, everything else that comes after that are just the perks of the job. To put 'exposure' and 'marketing' ahead of Basketball, says to me Yi doesnt deserve to play in the NBA at all.
<div class="quote_poster">NTC Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Who cares? This is the NBA, not the Victorias Secret fashion show, your job is to play Basketball, everything else that comes after that are just the perks of the job. To put 'exposure' and 'marketing' ahead of Basketball, says to me Yi doesnt deserve to play in the NBA at all.</div> What do you mean who cares? That's been the topic and subject of why Yi and his party doesn't want him to play for Milwaukee. Look at this latest article concerning his Chinese Team's owner: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The chief obstacle the Bucks face in getting Yi Jianlian in a Milwaukee uniform is Chen Haitau, the private owner of the Guangdong Tigers, the Chinese Basketball Association team for which Yi plays, according to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writer Bob Wolfley. According to Wolfley, Chen doesn't merely view Yi as an employee. Rather, Chen literally owns Yi and wants to make himself richer by negotiating a buyout agreement, retaining a portion of Yi's endorsement income and maintaining Yi as an ambassador to further Chen's business. It has been suggested Chen might be looking for as much as 50% of all of Yi's endorsement money. Yi has to buy out his old contract with the Tigers, agree to assign his representation rights to the Tigers and sign his NBA representation to an agent approved by the Tigers</div> Link The whole 'exposure' and 'marketing' is pretty much what seperates the NBA and College Basketball, and I'm pretty sure VC is gonna bust out on a rant of how College BBall is better than the NBA. Exposure and marketing is pretty much why people do it for a living after college. Look at all these endorsement deals from Nike endorsing Kobe and LeBron, adidas endorsing TD, KG, and Gilbert, and look everything else NBA players sign that has to do with raking in money. Yi's the biggest thing for China since Yao and look at all the impact Yao has made since playing in the NBA. Basketball in China has been HUGE with the 'Basketball without Borders', the NBA playing pre-season games in China, and other things. Just look how so many chinese people have become fans of the NBA because of Yao. What I'm saying is, Yi's potential can reach that and they don't want to pass up on this opportunity.
