May 21, 2007
Get to know Yi Jianlian (易建联)
Because you're going to be hearing his name a lot very soon. ESPN.com says the 19-year-old 7-footer from Shenzhen is the third-best player in the June 28 NBA Draft. ESPN NBA expert Chad Ford had this to say (there is also a video that accompanies that story ... Yi Jianlian speaks very good English):
For better and for worse, but mostly for better, Yi represents a new generation of Chinese players more influenced by Allen Iverson and Tracy McGrady than by Yao Ming.
Some compare Yi's game to Toni Kukoc. Others say Pau Gasol. And whoever wrote Yi's Wikipedia entry suggests Kevin Garnett.
See for yourself. There are plenty of Yi videos on YouTube:
Highlight reel set to music
Yi's top-10 slam dunks
Chinese Nike commercial featuring Yi (also embedded in this post)
Yi makes the NBA Daily Top-10
Yi's 18 moves
Yi stars in a (very long) Chinese milk commercial
|
Advertisement: Shanghaiist Continues Below!
Post a comment (Comment Policy)
Based on that first video I think Garnett would be a huge stretch. He seems to succeed by outmuscling the other players and scoring from the paint . . . . he's going to have a lot of trouble doing that in the NBA, where everyone is much bigger and stronger than the CBA. He does look good - - probably a top 10 pick . . . .
oh, get to know yi jianlian? chinese characters of his name might help.
Added.
It is easy to copy the NBA style when everyone else around you is much weaker and does not play with "soul" or individual spirit. Yao Ming was "the" player in China until he came to play in the REAL NBA.
nice!
Yi is a great player, great skills, but it will take a few years for him to develop the NBA body necessary to pull off those low-post moves in the NBA. Actually, the Garnett analogy is apt: during his first two seasons Garnett was a skinny, lanky seven footer with moves that his body needed to develop into. Of course, Garnett has never been a great low-post banger.
Sure, Li will get clocked if he tries his best stuff in the NBA, now. But hell, I see guys getting clocked at Xujiahui Park every Saturday. Chinese playground basketball is outrageously physical, and I suspect Li has played his fair share. Give him a couple of years, and he'll eclipse Yao, no question. Clearly, the most talented Chinese basketball player to emerge in years.
'He'll eclipse Yao no doubt'. Bold statement. It will be interesting to see if it's true. I mean, Yao is one of (if not the) best centers in the NBA - at least until Oden arrives. Garnett is a top 5 player in the NBA. These are weighty predictions - best of luck to the kid. Now, please for the love of God let my Celts get one of the first two picks in the draft and not even consider him . . . .
Everyone still forgets that Yi muscling around in the CBA means once he bulks up he can handle the NBA. The CBA has a notorious lack of any skill, as the shorter South Korean national team proves time and time again when they play friendlies. To be a purely physical player, Yi would have to be as big as Shaq and that ain't gonna happen.
Playing ball at xu jia hui is like going to a mosh pit. Not much skill and alot of elbows.
Nice Skills for 7 footer. Really needs to bulk up. Indeed a HUGE stretch to say that he's another Garnett or that he'd eclipse Yao Ming.
Players Yi reminds me of are Toni Kukoc and Andrew Bogut. Though Yi doesn't quite have the natural shot or passing skills of Kukoc, and Bogut is stronger and more physical.
BTW the shot Yi blocks in the ad is an obvious goal-tend - the ball's on the way down when he gets to it!
Yi is a LOSER. What a pompous arrogant big ol Chinese baby. Play for the team that drafted you and be thankful. If Ji holds out I hope he gets stuck in China forever. Un-grateful prick.