How do New Jersy fans feel about Yi's commitments to Chinese National Team

Yao so far has played for the Chinese national team every summer of his career in the NBA. Wang Zhi Zhi skipped a few years to stay here in the summer time to improve his game, but he was marked a traitor and belittled by most Chinese basketball fans in china and america. So it's obvious that Yi will likely have to play for the Chinese National Team during the summers for the rest of his career unless he wants all that negative publicity that comes attached with not playing. How do you fans feel about this?

 

He's too much of a wuss to stand up to his government and actually voice his opinion, so its an issue that you guys will probably constantly have on your mind.

I admire players that take the time and go through the risk to play for their national teams. But it doesn't mean as much when you're essentially forced to play. I just hope it doesn't end up exhausting him too much or affecting his development.

 

^ Standing up to China isn't an easy thing to do. It often results in a bad case of the deaths.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AEM @ Jun 27 2008, 02:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>^ Standing up to China isn't an easy thing to do. It often results in a bad case of the deaths.</div>
Yea, I was probably being too harsh on the kid. I wouldn't want to be in his situation.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AEM @ Jun 27 2008, 02:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>^ Standing up to China isn't an easy thing to do. It often results in a bad case of the deaths.</div>

You do realize that sarcasm and humor doesn't really translate well right? Also i think theres more to it than just standing up against the sports bureau. Endorsements ride a lot on his popularity in china also. No doubt that will take a dive if he refuses to play for the chinese national team just like how wang zhi zhi's popularity took a dive.

 

I'd rather have him take pride in playing for his country, because that can only translate to him playing better in the NBA. If a man puts himself above his country (and by that path, his relatives and friends who live there), then how long before he's standing outside the locker room and giving a "cmon man we talking about practice" speech?

I know that's not necesarily always the case, but in general I think a man with pride in his country will have pride in other areas of his life.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney @ Jun 27 2008, 03:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AEM @ Jun 27 2008, 02:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>^ Standing up to China isn't an easy thing to do. It often results in a bad case of the deaths.</div>
Yea, I was probably being too harsh on the kid. I wouldn't want to be in his situation.
</div>

At least you set me up for a punchline.

 

I am a Chinese, I love the country very much, but I do not think 2008 olympics is that much a big deal and some players should have their choice abt it.

in Yi's case, this summer may be the most important summer in his NBA career. He need rest, and a lot a lot improvment on his POWER. last season was his first season he has a lot reasons to make mistake cuz his was a rookie, but now, after a season he already know what is his weekness and has a summer to improve it, if at next season we just see a same Yi as last season, we will feel disappoint.
but now, he has a lot game to play before and in olympics with huge pressure. I do not think any of them will help him on next NBA season.

go check his data at bucks website, his first 25 games are absoluty cool, ave 10+ points and 5+ reb bucks even win Lakers and Cavaliers in that time, after that, his physical ability start going down very fast and got few injured.

I think I can explan it, at china, Yi's team play only one or two games per week and 50 at most a year(including playoff). big different with NBA.

so I think if he got really taired at this Aug, he will has trouble at new season. but if he has enough enerngy, he will be a very good NETS player.

 

What happened is that teams put more athletic players on him and he didn't adjust well. He was also a defensive liability, which limited his time.

I do not think he will show his true abilities for at least another year...and who knows what his upper level really is. Nets weren't crazy about him before last year's draft. Stefanski said it was hard to judge his talent after scouting him in Shanghai. But Vandeweghe thinks he can become Dirk Nowitzki...said so last year. Dirk had similar numbers to Yi his first year then excelled his second. This is a critical season for him...and yet, as optimistic as I tend to be, I cant get excited about him in the short term. Kiki is good at talent development--he worked with Dirk between year one and two--but talent appraisal is not his strong suit.

The Nets traded RJ for a lot of reasons, some of which I dont think we know anything or much about. But this was a distress sale if youre talking about basketball talent. If the Nets had gotten a pick, I would have felt better. Right now, I see this as a 30 win team in a division that has gotten a lot better.

 

^ hey 30 win team! Ya'll might make the playoffs!

 

I am the biggest opponent of NBA players playing in international competitions, but even I recognize why it's important for Yi to play for his national team.

I have no problem with it. (But if he were to miss it for some reason, I sure wouldn't cry over that!)

 

I can honestly say u guys are wayy more forgiving than rockets fans about this.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ffz @ Jun 27 2008, 04:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>^ hey 30 win team! Ya'll might make the playoffs!</div>




I don't mind at all Yi playing for his national team. I didn't mind when RJ did it. I was a bit iffy with it when JKidd was doing it, because he's so old...but that's nothing to worry about now.

My point is, Yi is young enough to be able to handle playing for the national team. If that's what he wants to do, fine. If not, still fine. I'll root for him in the Olympics, and wish him the best (or 2nd best, behind Melo & Team USA ).

 

^ We also don't have any idea what the rotation is going to look like, so it's very possible that Yi playing in the Olympics will have less of an effect than someone like RJ, an established starter.

 

He's young, and it'll be good for him to keep him confidence up by being the #1,2 player on a team.

 

My POV on the subject is that a player should have his say if he will like to play for his national team or not. I mean if he wants to play, then great. But I dont understand how you can call someone a "traitor" if he decides not to play. The nba season is long and demanding. So a player must heal to be better next season. Also how can wanting to spend more time with your family, or working on your game to improve next season be considered a "traitor"? I do not get understand it, but I respect it I guess..

 

barring political issues, I think it's good Yi will be playing. Any playing time for him to develop over the summer will be good for us. Now, we should be crossing our fingers that he doesn't get injured!

 

As far as I'm concerned the ONLY two issues with him playing for China is: 1) increase chance of injury, 2) less time to focus on building frame. However, the benifits outweigh the cons, he will represent his country and shows a degree of loyalty and pride. He will also increase our fan base which will help the nets both financially and in the media we attract. He also may put on less muscle, but I expect him to be carefully monitored and given a strong workout regiment....this is China after all. And of course the most important thing is while this may affect his stamina as the year progresses his will develop faster due to international competition. Let the kid play for his country!

 

Hope he has a good time.

 

I would be fine with him playing, from what I have heard its important for Chinese players to play for the national team. Whereas in the States, its kind of the opposite, its kind of bad to play for the American team, because you could get injured for the NBA season.