Draftexpress article Good Read on Yi JianLian

by ThermoElectro on Mar 15, 2007 12:08 PM PDT

I found this site just randomly googling Yi. It's quite informative in terms of scouting observations about his game.

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=44

Some interesting observations

- He's got a very consistent midrange stroke and a fadeaway that's pretty much uncontestable. He apparently doesn't settle for jumpers though. If you give him space he'll try to get closer.

-80% FT shooter

He struggles from the international 3 point line. That probably means that the NBA trey range won't be good for him either

Very quick and agile for his size, but can get out of control with his handles. That might be bad since the NBA is a quicker league.

Very active around the glass but has a glaring issue with big low post players. He basically has no low post defense whatsoever. This weakness has become more and more obvious the more he plays.

-Solid improvement in terms of stats from year to year but none of the holes in his game seem to ever get addressed.

This has got to be the best info to date since we can't watch Yi's performance. It would be cool if the CBA playoffs were broadcasted in the US.

What are your thoughts?

This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!

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i want

a consistent low post scorer. this Yi guy just doesn't sound like he's it. Of course, he could prove me wrong, but I don't think so

by tadams1080 on Mar 15, 2007 1:12 PM PDT reply actions

not interested

the more i hear about him...the less i like him.

Let's Go Oakland! Gas, Brake, Dip.

by OaktownFunk on Mar 15, 2007 2:15 PM PDT reply actions

this sounds

familiar with what people were saying about Yao when he was coming into the league and hell, it was true for about 1.5 seasons. they said Yao played soft downlow and he really did until he started to bulk up some and was finally able to put some meat on meat down on the post. with that said, I still don't think we need an oversized swingman, and instead, an actual low post go to guy and solid rebounder.

by dandydaniel on Mar 15, 2007 3:55 PM PDT reply actions

this guy's body and game

are nothing like Yao's.

by Zig on Mar 15, 2007 10:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, I love that site

What they may lack in expertise and reliability they make up for in passion and sheer volume of content. Great place to stop by whenever you need a quick fix of "draft prospect buzz."

Yeah, I'd love to have Yi, but at this point it looks like he'll probably go 5-6 slots head of where we're picking. That site has him going to Portland at #8, and us taking Tiago Splitter at #12.

I actually wouldn't mind Splitter -- he's already twice the player Patrick O'Bryant will ever be, which shows how deep this year's draft is compared to last year's. But as I've said a million times before, I'll be pissed if we leave a possible superstar on the board just 'cos he's not a perfect fit. Drafting for need is almost always a dumb move. If our scouts think any of Brewer, Law, Lawson, Thornton, or Green has real star potential, that's who we should pick.

I'm also happy to see that now Hansborough and McRoberts have dropped out of our picking range -- #16-17, respectively. At this point I may be rooting for Ty Lawson, based on this comment alone:

In an open-court game, nobody in the country is going to keep pace with Ty Lawson

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=485

by Sleepy Freud on Mar 15, 2007 3:58 PM PDT reply actions

Yi sounds like

a Dirk Nowitzki without the 3pt range, I think it's safe to say the Warriors have plenty of shooters/streaky 3pt shooters. I dont even know if we can call him a swingman because it doesnt seem like he plays the 3 position. So... he can spread the floor (but not past the international 3pt line, which is closer than the NBA 3pt line), but he doesnt play the post... hmm... no thanks.

by ZombieWarrior on Mar 15, 2007 6:10 PM PDT reply actions

I don't think a lack of a post game matters

Nellie has never utilized post players anyways. As long as he can run the floor, is active around the glass, knock down open jumpers and pass out of double teams, he's going to do well in nellie's game.

The type of big man the W's need is an athletic enforcer, not a low post presence. A low post presence would just slow down the running game. Since Nellie isn't going to play a slow down post oriented offense, a walk up the floor type post player is going to be as good a fit as another small forward.

If we want an immediate improvement, it's going to be through FA or a trade. The Draft is going to bring us someone that most likely will become a factor the season after next. Don't forget, Nellie generally doesn't like to play rooks either. Marquis Daniels and Josh Howard were exceptions.

by ThermoElectro on Mar 15, 2007 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Agree 100%

Ike Diogu was drafted 'cos of his "post presence." Todd Fuller, Adonal Foyle, and Patrick O'Bryant were drafted because of their "size" and "rebounding." No one in this draft other than Greg Oden is going to be a dominating NBA post presence anytime in the next two years.

The idea that we wouldn't pick Yi (on the off-chance he's on the board when we pick) simply because he's a "poor fit" makes the Baby Jesus cry. Let's try this again: Best. Player. Available.

by Sleepy Freud on Mar 15, 2007 7:14 PM PDT up reply actions