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Yi's Sweeter than Mango Mochi Ice Cream

Draft guru Chad Ford from ESPN.com dropped a draft watch on the hottest international prospects for the highly anticipated 2007 NBA Draft. The first name on Ford's list was none other than GSoM favorite Yi Jianlian aka The Movement. Here's some of the highlights from his section on Yi...

Yi is more like Toni Kukoc than Yao Ming:

The similarities to Yao are there, but somewhat superficial. They both are Chinese and have dominated the Chinese Basketball Association league. But that's about it.

Yi is an athletic 7-footer who likes to play on the outside. He runs the floor, dunks on people and has a pretty nice handle. Some scouts compare him to Toni Kukoc.

yi.jpg
Sweet swisssssssshhhhhhhhh!

Yi could go anywhere from the top 10 to the mid-first round:

Scouts are pretty evenly split on his draft prospects at the moment. A few of them love him and think he could go in the top 10 this year. Others are more skeptical and have him ranked as a mid-first rounder.

Best case scenario for the Dubs:

  1. Make the playoffs this season... finally!
  2. Yi gets slept on by other team's scouts big time.
  3. The Warriors select Yi with a mid-first round pick.
  4. Nellie abandons the run & gun style of Nellieball for the run & fun Nellieball 2.0 with a lineup of PG: Baron Davis, SG: Jason Richardson, SF: Al Harrington, PF: Yi Jianlian, C: Andris Biedrins plus the mightiest bench in all the league featuring Monta Ellis and Stephen Jackson.
  5. The Warriors win the 2009 NBA Finals. (Haha, okay maybe that's going too far, but the Warriors would be... UNSTOPPABLE BABY!!)

And of course a lil' something for the fans:

Yao's been immensely popular, and teams such as the Golden State Warriors and Seattle SuperSonics -- with potentially huge Asian fan bases -- would love to get Yi.

Think the Bay would go nuts over having Yi on the Dubs? Chris Cohan and Robert Rowell aren't stupid (OH MY! Did I really just write that?). They know that Yi would be an instant money maker and hit at the box office. Also, Del Harris one of Nellie's longtime assistants, had high praise for Yi back when he coached the Chinese national team. Think Nellie could work some magic with this sweet shooting big man with handles? Count me in as a Nowitness!

What does your crystal ball predict for The Yi Movement?

 

The Yi Movement Past, Present, and Future:

0 recs | Comment 32 comments

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even if he was available...
warriors management would pick him up. we know they don't care about their fans!

by dj fuzzylogic on Jan 28, 2007 9:25 PM PST   0 recs

plus
warriors management loves projects... he's too skilled for us!

by dj fuzzylogic on Jan 28, 2007 9:25 PM PST   0 recs

i wouldnt start him but
im all for yi.... i heard even baron davis wants Yi!!! and is also impersonating idk just something ive heard

by travisl212 on Jan 28, 2007 9:29 PM PST   0 recs

does anyone else
notice the resemblance between baron and yi?!?!

by travisl212 on Jan 28, 2007 9:29 PM PST   0 recs

I agree for the most part DJ....
But even if they don't care about fans, they care about the money. And this will bring a good amount of fans to team w/ the large asian/chinese influence in the bay.  So that might be enough momentum to swing the pendulum in favor of pickin him up..we'll have to wait and see.I think he might go to high for what we'll be drafting.

On a lighter note...ATMA...WHERE CAN I GET SOME MANGO MOCHI!!!! Sounds off the hook! LOL...I get the Green Tea and all the other flavors but DAMN! LOL

HE GOT IT!!!!!!!

by esco41510 on Jan 28, 2007 9:32 PM PST   0 recs

Mango Mochi
Man, it's been awhile since I've had it, but I think I got it last at Trader Joe's or a Mochi super pack from Costco.

Some people come to GSoM to talk hoops, but I come here to talk fine cuisine! Haha

by Atma Brother ONE on Jan 28, 2007 10:00 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

nothing says authentic chinese dishes
more than Kirkland's Mochi Ice Cream. c'mon atma! are you f'real?

by dj fuzzylogic on Jan 28, 2007 10:16 PM PST   0 recs

Naw dogg
It wasn't Kirkland, it was the real deal Mochi brand. A multi pack with like chocolate, vanilla, and mango. It wasn't just fabulous, it was FOB-ULOUS!

by Atma Brother ONE on Jan 28, 2007 10:23 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

never a fan for some reason...
i always went towards the buck fifty hotdog and medium drink combo.

but green tea mochis are good.. the ones my parents used to get from Ranch 99.  I miss ranch 99....

by dj fuzzylogic on Jan 28, 2007 10:25 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

So what?
Chinese people can't enjoy Mochi?

Mochi is for everybody!

by Atma Brother ONE on Jan 29, 2007 9:08 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

LOL
That's why I was confused. Comparing an authentic Chinese guy to a non-authentic Japanese dessert?

by Fantasy Junkie on Jan 29, 2007 12:28 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

SWEET
another 7 ft project

by azw on Jan 29, 2007 12:49 AM PST   0 recs

Atma...
Thanks bro...see...that's why GSoM is the best, you come here for the best Warrior's news and end up w/ Mango Mochi!..lol..Trader Joe's is good, that's where pick up the other ones, but I haven't seen the mango... I'ma keep an eye out.
HE GOT IT!!!!!!!

by esco41510 on Jan 29, 2007 8:16 AM PST   0 recs

Speaking of Mochis...
Anyone had those green tea like thingymajigers in SF at that Japanese restaurant/tea place at the Yuerba Buena gardens? Good stuff.

Anyway, back on topic, I read this thread and one thing popped out at me (2 things, actually.) Runs the floor and dunks on people. wicked.

the second is that you said Warriors win NBA finals in 2009....why not 2008? :) or 07 for that matter....8]

by bradyk2 on Jan 29, 2007 9:28 AM PST   0 recs

Haha
the second is that you said Warriors win NBA finals in 2009....why not 2008? :) or 07 for that matter....8]

It takes time my friend. Haha, just like it takes this team extra time to make the playoffs.

by Atma Brother ONE on Jan 29, 2007 10:03 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Question
I keep reading that the Warriors front office would be interested in nabbing this Yi guy because of the Asian population here and that he would generate ticket sales. But has that been a problem? The Oracle is full all the time, even with our 12 year drought. I don't think we need to draft a guy just for ticket sales sake when we don't even need a boost in attendance. Not to mention all the video I have seen on this Yi guy makes be think he looks like a Chinese Troy Murphy; nice outside shooter who is too weak to play in the paint. I thought we were over that era here in Warriorland, no? If we are looking for skinny, tall asian guys, why not bring in Sun Ming Ming? You can't teach 7'8 baby! On a serious note, I just read that he had surgery to remove a brian tumor last year and now he is playing in Dodge City, Kansas for the Dodge City Legend of the USBL. They say he is a "work in progress". Apparently all those knocks on his lack of stamina and speed were atributed to the benign brain tumor attached to his pituitary gland. It was also stimulating over-production of growth hormone. Crazy stuff.

by GreyMurphy on Jan 29, 2007 9:51 AM PST   0 recs

dangerous!
i just watched a special on giants that discussed that issue. i guess its a serious issue where they can eventually lose their eye sight cuz the tumor is so large it begins to bang up against some mechanisms that control sight in the brain.  scary!

by dj fuzzylogic on Jan 29, 2007 11:49 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

he's not what we need right now
we need somebody who can play inside and be a presence to help AB out..not another big-man who thinks he's a shooter (cough cough..troy murhpy)...i hope we can draft somebody who 1. isn't a project 2. is a defensive beast who can grab boards, blocks shots, and has decent hands..
the crowning achievement of ira newble's illustrious career

by JudBooshlur on Jan 29, 2007 10:15 AM PST   0 recs

fat chance
that the rest of the league will sleep on this Yi guy, a 7 footer than can player PF (if he's as good as you say). He'll be a lottery pick, which the W's won't have if they make the playoffs. Even if they are in the lottery, they'll have a very slim chance of getting in the top 3.

A perfect fit would be Josh McRoberts, the Duke big man (PF) who can rebound, play defense, run the floor, handle the ball and pass (but who needs to work on his jumper), but either he won't come out early or even if he does, he won't be available to the W's in the middle of the first round where they'll be picking.

Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious.

by Kobe on Jan 29, 2007 10:41 AM PST   0 recs

McRoberts
He kinda reminds me of like a Chris Webber-lite. Not a bad pick. Who I hope the Warriors don't draft? Tyler Hansborough. That dude is the next Mark Madsen as far as skills, athleticism.

by dj fuzzylogic on Jan 29, 2007 11:55 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

w00t!!!
Josh McRoberts! yeaaaaa boii!!!

You're right as always, Atma. it was a good idea thuogh, you have to admit...:)

by bradyk2 on Jan 29, 2007 11:19 AM PST   0 recs

In Other News. . . .
If anyone's interested (and I suspect Atma is), I've just posted my thoughts on the Jackson probation hearing outcome -- and what I think is likely to happen on this down the road -- as a comment to Atma's Friday column on the subject.  Biggest surprise for me: the evidence that Jackson shot his gun at least five times BEFORE he was hit by the car.  Scroll down to it if you're interested.

Final note:  Tho Jackson is scheduled to go to trial next month, don't be too surprised if, like many criminal trials, the matter is put over for a few weeks.  I suspect, though, as explained in my post, that his attorney in Indiana will now likely try to cut a plea deal.  We'll see.

by johnl on Jan 29, 2007 12:04 PM PST   0 recs

No, No, No

Atma, baby, no way dude. Why would we want a PF who prefers to hang out at the three-point line? Didn't we just get rid of Troy Murphy?

And don't we already have this piece -- or at least, didn't we draft this exact player this year when we foolishly took Kosta Perovic (instead of Leon Powe) with our second pick?

This is madness, especially now that we have Harrington. Do you really think a Toni Kukoc type of soft, no-D player is what the Warriors need?

This team needs to stop making draft picks in isolation and start making them as part of a larger blueprint for putting together a championship team.

We need a defensive stopper and a dead-on outside shooter (and not one that should be down in the paint getting rebounds). We could also use another inside player.

If Yi was being compared to Kevin Garnett, OK, go for it. But he is being compared to Toni freaki' Kukoc. Does not anybody else see that this has typical Warriors draft disaster written all over it?

Because it is absolutely the wrong move for this team, but is guaranteed to make Cohan some money, I am afraid Mullin will do everything in his power to get this guy. Then he'll sign him to a long, expensive contract extension, then we'll spend the next two years trying to trade him, and then in three years we'll be drooling over a seven-footer point guard from Argentina who is being favorably compared to Darko Milicic.

Good grief.

The TruthMaker www.sfist.com

by TruthMaker on Jan 29, 2007 12:40 PM PST   0 recs

After watching Yi
I saw a guy who could bang a little and grab some boards, swat some shots, drive with ease to the hoop from the perimeter and throw it down. This guy ain't soft like Murphy or an awful pick like Kosta. He's got skills.

The Movement!

by Atma Brother ONE on Jan 29, 2007 3:01 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Misconception
There are quite some misconceptions on Yi's game. No, he is NOT a 3-point shooter like many claimed. In fact, he rarely ever put up a 3-pointer in CBA games.

He is a face-up PF/C who likes to blow past his defenders or shoot a mid-range jumper/fade-away. You know, sort of like the one we have now - Al Harrington, except that he is a good 3-inches taller and maybe more.

Yi is also a rebounder/shotblocker for his team and in the Chinese national team next to Yao, so that part of his game, though still green, is at least built into his bones.

Personally I don't think Yi and Beans will be a perfect combo at 4/5 since both of them are rail-thin, but with Nellie's system you never know. Heck, who is our starting PF right now? If Yi could add a few pounds and polish his skills, he might as well become a good starting PF for the Warriors. Yes, his upside is that high.

The Toni Kukoc-comparison is so far off that Chad Ford made himself looked a little clueless all of the sudden. And Yi and Murphy are from completely different world, literally and figuratively.

by MightyReds2020 on Jan 29, 2007 1:59 PM PST   0 recs

stats
Some numbers here to possibly show what type of player he is for his local team this year and maybe in his NBA future.

In 25 games so far this season, here's his averaged:
points 24.7
rebounds 11.6
blocks 1.84
FG% 57.6
FT% 78.4

He put up a total of 41 attempts from behind the arc and made only 7 of them, so I won't exactly call him a 3-point shooter. He does have a nice form and it is not out of question that he will eventually be able to do that, but I hope for his NBA career that he does not see that as a priority, at least not in his first 3 or so years.

by MightyReds2020 on Jan 29, 2007 2:19 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

for his local team this year
  And what quality is the competition? As good as the D league?
  Drafting him to please the Asian population is the stupidist thing I've ever heard, next we'll be looking for an italian then old hippies, then crack dealers!  Let's draft for our needs. This Yi guy looks too thin to me to be a real inside presense,
 I don't know all the other options for the upcoming draft but I'd look for someone else if possible, an enforcer type like Ben wallace or a stud like Amare.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Jan 29, 2007 8:34 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

competition level
I agreed drafting Yi purely because his ethnicity is not a good idea and like I said in my post, he and Beans don't look like good fit physical-wise.

But the level of competition has very little to do with Yi's potential as a future NBA player (see: Monta Ellis). It might give you a glimpse of what kind of player he is, that's all and that was the reason I posted his stats.

by MightyReds2020 on Jan 30, 2007 9:52 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Those numbers...
Have him looking more like Dirk Nowitzki than Toni Kukoc. I like Dirk Nowitzki.

by bradyk2 on Jan 29, 2007 5:21 PM PST   0 recs

YI!
From all the videos I've seen on this guy it looks that he would be a pretty good player in the NBA. I just have this to say about drafting. You draft the best player available not for need. You trade for need.

by Psion on Jan 30, 2007 10:32 AM PST   0 recs

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