Yi Jianlian a Steal at Number 6?

[PlayerHader]

I see. I politely disagree, too. I think Yi looks huge on the floor, making his mobility that much more impressive.

[patrickgpe]

i like his mobility, and maybe my problem may be from that he is so much taller than the average 4 he doesn't look as bulky as the average 4. I don't want a fat 4 like Traylor though.

[bobbledude25]

IF he's only 19 his body will fill out. Look at Bogut this year, he put on a pretty good amount of bulk

[jaybird2001wi]

With Yi being 7 foot, he has amazing mobility and seems to have the shooting finesse of a shorter guy. I am surprised as to how well he can shoot behind the perimeter, you don't find 7-footers being able to shoot behind the perimeter with success.

[JJHardy7]

Yi played more of a 3 when he played in China. I'm sure it'll take a little bit of time to get used to defending traditional 4s and such, but if he finds a way to develop a "true" 4 he could be really special. I know it's way too early, but I think a good example would be Dirk in Dallas. He's tall enough, etc to be a 4, but his game is really that of a 3 -- not that it's a bad thing.

 

Yi seems to be getting a fair share of rebounds, which was one of my concerns with him.

[PlayerHader]

Yeah, 7 offensive boards tonight, 12 or 13 total. Those are huge numbers.

[danzig6767]

Tonights game was just another example of why i think the Bucks struck gold in getting Yi. He was only 3-11 from the field, but he was great on the boards and played some fabulous defense while at times being matched vs a top notch scorer in Gasol. What i love is how the guy seems to have a great basketball IQ to go along with special athletic ability for a man seven feet tall. He quickly learned how to still defend well without fouling alot like he did early in the year. His shot blocking and overall defensive skills are vastly better than i expected. The form on his jumper is flawless and he'll only get better at taking defenders off the dribble.

 

IMO it's possible that by the end of the year, he'll pass Redd as the best player on the team. If not that soon, by sometime next year it's a near lock.

[Bent Wookies]

dumb question: why isn't he on the all star ballot?

[Mr QL]

NBA is scared.

[JJHardy7]

If he was on the ballot, I'm going to guess he'd either start in the all-star game or get close. China would be able to get Yi a ton of votes.

 

What's up with Gasol? He's really struggled this year so far.

[bobbledude25]

Looks like Yi is already leading for Rookie Of The Year...

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-071115&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos2

[flosses like fossas]

here's a link to my old roommate's flickr page, he saw yi at target the other day and snapped this photo standing with him...

 

[bobbledude25]

here's a link to my old roommate's flickr page, he saw yi at target the other day and snapped this photo standing with him...

 

Must have been hard to recognize. It's not everyday you see a 7-foot chinese guy at target. lol

[RockCoCougars]

It's probably better for the Bucks that Yi is older than he says he is. Those teenagers take at least a few years to develop, then when (or if) they do develop you run the chance of them leaving for greener pastures (McGrady, etc.) Yi seems to be ahead of that curve.

[recte44]

Yi is going to be a very good player for years to come. Good luck for any other team in the NBA to match our two big guys. If we can get some team defense going, and either get Redd to play like a complete player or deal him for someone who will, the sky is the limit for this club.