Yi's "a sight to behold"

by Atma Brother ONE on Jun 8, 2007 10:42 AM PDT in Hype

Yi Jianlian traveled quite a distance from China to LA in preparation for the highly hyped 2007 NBA Draft and NBA life in general. Now, NBA heads are traveling coast to coast just to get a glimpse of The Movement [ajc.com]:

A large contingent representing the Hawks (including front office folks, coaches, scouts and several players) have either already made it to Los Angeles or are en route to watch Chinese 7-footer Yi Jianlian work out. From what I’ve gathered it’s a closed session (for media hounds and fans, of course) that will give those in attendance a personal showcase of the draft’s remaining mystery player. Some of those same sources I’ve talked to have seen Yi in person already and claim that he’s a sight to behold. So I’m expecting rave reviews after his controlled work out (those things are usually designed to make the prospect look like a million bucks). This dude is the wild card for the Hawks. If he blows everybody away, he could easily become the frontrunner for the No. 3 pick (whether he makes sense or not). That said, several of the people I talked to are still convinced the Hawks are going to trade one (and in some cases both) of those picks for veteran help, which could complicate this entire mess even more.

Most of us will in all likelihood not get the chance to see Yi work out in LA (unless his people want to fly down the GSoM crew for a scouting report!), so I thought I'd leave you with a few Yi sights via the good old YiTube:

Fundamental x18.

This dunk is so icy!

In these 34 seconds Yi's already spent more time working hard than Erik Dampier spent in all his years with the Dubs.

Yi can hit the pressure shots.

You gotta love these announcers.

Over 9.5 minutes of Yi madness!

Warning: Turn off your speakers. The soundtrack on this clip is painful.

And of course Yi Just Doing It.

GSoM friend Adam Laudridsen is also a big fan of trading up for The Movement, Al Hordford, or Brandan Wright. I'm all in favor of moving up, but I probably wouldn't shop a consistently proven stud like Jason Richardson to trade up. I'd see what I could get for Monta Ellis and the #18 pick from the teams slotted high in the lottery though. I think it's harder than people realize to find a sweet shooting swingman like JR that can consistently drop over 20ppg, be a serious long bomb threat, rebound the rock, and fun and gun for Nellieball. Plus those viscous dunks excite the crowd and pump up teammates big time.

What pick will Yi get selected at?

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SorrYi.....

But I don't believe we'll be in postion to get this guy. I believe we have the ability to trade up, but how far? Could we really have an offer interesting enough to get...let say...the 3rd pick overall without dismantling our team and affecting our chemistry?

I believe Yi is one of the more NBA ready players on the board this year. As much has he's some people knock him for his size, he may not get bigger, but he can always get stronger. And he plays with aggresion...(see his dunk after Paul Gasol dunk on his boy)...and has a nice touch and feel around the basket. Watching him play against the US, he was on par w/ their level of play.

I think he would be GREAT for the Dubs. The market, the style of play, the fact we need a mobile big. But I don't think we should give up our keys pieces, like J-Rich(maybe even Beans). Which I feel we would have to let go of if we want the 3rd overall and a gauranteed shot at Yi. If we could somehow swing our 1st/2nd and a few other pieces in for the 5th? maybe that would work, we would just have to hope that he falls that far.

I would really just hate to trade up, and not get what we wanted, I knew there are some really good players to be had that high, but Yi bring more to the table IMO.

HE GOT IT!!!!!!!

by esco41510 on Jun 8, 2007 11:39 AM PDT reply actions

Yi Jianlian

Will be drafted at No. 5 by the Boston Celtics. It's more than likely the two top picks will be Greg Oden and Kevin Durant. Atlanta will be smart to take a PG, instead of a PF. Memphis would love to draft a hometown player in Brandan Wright. Boston is the logical choice for the Top 5 picks because of it being one of the NBA's bigger markets. The next biggest market in the Lottery will be Chicago. I don't see Yi being drafted that low there. Even though Chicago will be a perfect fit for him, since it's one of the few cities in America with a big Asian population. I would love for Yi to come over to our beloved Warriors, but we obviously will give up a lot to trade up in this deep draft. It's just best for us to hope in the sleepers in the draft. Unless Yi really wants to stay closer to China, it would obviously be best for him to be drafted by a California team.

by Phil T28 on Jun 8, 2007 11:44 AM PDT reply actions

D-Fence

I suppose you lot didn't hear about what tough defense a chair played against Yi in a private workout.

by leee @ Golden State Of Mind on Jun 8, 2007 2:25 PM PDT reply actions

that chair is straight up

bruce bowen! you see how it stuck out it's legs! (bu dum ching)

by dj fuzzylogic on Jun 8, 2007 4:30 PM PDT reply actions

Wrong About Damp

Damp worked his arse off signing his contract with Dallas. His right arm has never been the same as we saw during the arse kicking we gave the Mavs.

Atma, I thought we had moved on to either Sean Williams or Jason Smith. How did Yi get back in the mix?

And speaking of Yi, does anyone out there have a specific and Realistic idea of how we move up to to get Yi, just for argument's sake?

by commish on Jun 8, 2007 5:27 PM PDT reply actions

How to trade up?

Interestingly, the #3 4 and 5 draft picks belong to teams that have needs at the guard positions.

we could try to send Monta and our #18 to the ATL for their #3 and trade fodder because they need a point guard, and hopefully they don't know that Monta's not very good at the point. Something tells me Atlanta wouldn't even use the pick to get Yi anyway, they'd probably get more of a sure thing in Wright, Horford, or Noah.

I'm sure the Grizzlies would want to start looking for a replacement in their aging PG Damon Stoudamire. Monta might be the ticket in a trade if we wanted the #4 pick.

We could try to send Jason Richardson + #18 to Boston for their #5 + Theo Ratliff and his expiring contract. I have a feeling if Yi falls to #5 the Celtics won't pass on him.