Come on, it's more fun to bash Yi. You all know why. We can bash Swat, but he hardly get playing time.
No doubt his defense needs to improve. However I can't remember Dirk being able to stop anyone either when he first came into the league. In fact just as Dirk was establishing himself into a good player I saw Duncan abused him to the tune of 53 points. It'll take time with Yi to develop defensively but I believe he will get there.
thats why i keep saying that he won't reach star level until year 3 or so. He sure is a work in progress, but like you i see the potential, as do i in Ryan anderson as well.
Yi's main problem defensively is strength, focus, and experience. As his body matures and he works to gain more muscle, he will be a SIGNIFICANT defensive presence, especially as a helping big blocking shots. His length and quickness give him the most significant raw attributes to defend well, and he's already had some outstanding blocks this season.
Who cares if he will be good or not, at least we have Devin Harris and Brook Lopez. as long as he is a solid player on this team, it's enough.
YI had 1 rebound this game. not acceptable. when he is aggressive i have no problem with him at all. when he plays dumb i cant take it. hopefully he works on defense and a post game every time he is in the gym.
Well you are potentially talking about a 30/20 player there. Hard for Yi to compete with someone with such a high ceiling.
For the last 5 games, here are Yi's stats: 29.2 Minutes 14.6 PPG 1.2 APG 4.6 RPG 2.4 FPG 1.0 TOPG 1.2 BPG 16/18 FT (88.9%) 7/17 3pt (41.1%) 25/51 FG (49.0%) [The Nets have gone 4-1 in the last 5) ^ Those are some solid ass stats for a sophomore, sure he's had some shitty games, and he has mediocre defense, but you cant deny that he has a shot at becoming a legit 2nd string All-Star 2-3 years from now. I know Yi's been getting ALOT of hate lately and I can understand, at times his inconsistency can get frustrating for fans....but just look at the stats...stiffs don't put up those kind of numbers as a 3rd option scorer with the likes of D-Harris and VC.
Great breakdown and anyone that thinks Anderson is better is not watching. I also want to add a 7 footer who shoots 41 % from 3 pt. range and 49 % as a perimeter shooter, I mean yeh that's easy to find.
Yi is Krstic without the well oiled plays that created consistant looks. this is really just a matter of time before he gets locked into set plays. He's a greater athlete than Krstic (pre injury) by alot.
YI will be huge for us... trust. i don't know what will convince everyone but don't expect him to pull a devin harris and go off for 40+ pts, his game quietly comes around VC and Harris as do most of our Nets... sure there are times where he gets a brain fart on DEF but who doesn't... i remember Boone was the same when he was starting to get significant minutes (and his role is not even half of what YI's is) boone was a lost pup and now he's one of our valued assets (this coming from a guy who hated Boone; i wasnt on the boards back then but so you know) Yi will have games where he scores 20+, but there will be games that he won't... by his fault? unlikely (will have some off nights) but more to it that VC and Devin will start running their own shows... remember its not a common trait to have 3 players averaging 20+ points especially when Devin ball hogs(IMO but i'll get over it) There should be more post up plays for YI but for now Frank by design has him hovering the 3pt arc
At worst he becomes a Memet Okur type player...he is an average rebounder for a 7 footer, I haven't seen great ball handling skills (he still seems a bit fumbly with the ball) but he does have the confidence, which could at least make him a perimeter specialist that comes off the bench. There are enough flashes of success that he's worth giving minutes too, with our guards playing as well as they are. And I agree that Ryan Anderson has a better all around game TODAY than Yi does. So give RA more minutes!
If Yi can put up a fairly consistant 14 and 7 with a good shooting % and gradual improvement on defense I'd consider it a successful sophmore season. He's close to that now.
I think Yi needs to get to the line more often and score more off easy layups. He is shooting 40% or so in FG and around 45% for 3 pointers. That's a decent stat line for a 3 point shooter but when you're 7 ft tall, height has to be used as an advantage, for rebounding and easy points in the paint.
Run some screens for him with the guards so that he can switch onto a small in the post? I love Yi, too bad I can't watch Nets games from CA.
Yi needs to put his head down and drive to the basket. He is athletic but doesn't use it. He can play like a Bosh-type if he wants to. Face up, get around his defender and draw contact.
yi is the definition of a "X factor" to me.. hes a guy, who if he plays well, can completely give your team a new dimension... im actually impressed with him so far and i love love love his potential... if he could become a poor mans Dirk,,, he will compliment brooks low post game well
I love this guys potential and skill set. He is lacking what D. Harris was lacking last year and earlier this season. Yi needs to be in attack mode. How often do we see him out on the perimeter with the ball and his dribble and he is looking to pass first. Get aggressive Yi!
Well, he definitely did not deserve love for today's "performance". To his defense is the only fact that the whole team was dead in the second half. But Yi managed to be dead the whole game.
