Around the Association: 2009-2010 New Jersey Nets- The Year of the Yi

by Atma Brother ONE on Sep 16, 2009 6:15 PM PDT in NBA

Movement? What is this movement you speak of?

Coming straight to YouTube or Hulu soon!

We cut down the Nets like it's the NCAA spring tourney after the JUMP!

I won't pull any punches. The 2009-2010 New Jersey Nets season depends on one man and one man alone.

I'm of course referring to none other than Yi Jianlian aka The Movement.

Linking ain't Yi-zy:

I feel like a lot of otherwise smart hoops folks are quick to write off Yi as a bust. People are entitled to their own prerogative, but I'd like to take a second to highlight this comparison between Yi and KG.

Yi Jianlian (per 36)

Rookie: 28.6% 3pt, 84.1% FT, 7.5 rpg, 2.0 tov
Sophomore: 34.3% 3pt, 77.2% FT, 8.3 rpg, 1.8 tov

Kevin Garnett (per 36)

Rookie: 3pt, 70.5% FT, 7.9 rpg, 1.7 tov
Sophomore: 28.6% 3pt, 75.4% FT, 7.4 rpg, 2.1 tov

In case you're having trouble seeing it for yourself let me spell it out for you:

FACT: While KG's 3pt % flat-lined across his first two seasons, Yi's showed dramatic improvement from year 1 to year 2, jumping nearly 6 percentage points.
FACT: Yi was a superior free throw shooter compared to KG.
FACT: Yi showed nice showed improvement in his rebounding rate, while KG's rate declined.
FACT: Turnovers are incredibly costly in the game of basketball and Yi was able to cut his turnovers in year 2. On the other hand KG turned the ball over more in year 2, even surpassing Yi's year 1 rate.

These are the facts. I'm just here to illuminate them. Nothing but the facts.

One billion and one people know Yi is about to have a breakout season this year. Do you?

(Okay, I'll readily admit I've barely been able to hold in a big burst of laughter while while everything above this point in this article.)

Yi Jianlian

#9 / Forward / New Jersey Nets

Height: 7-0

Weight: 238

Born: Oct 27, 1987

College: None

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2008 - Yi Jianlian	61	23.3	3.1	8.2	38.2	0.8	2.3	34.3	1.6	2.0	77.2	1.1	4.2	5.3	1.0	1.1	0.5	0.6	2.6	8.6

(Thankfully) Moving on...

Rewing 2k8-2k9 Season: 34-48, tied for 11th in the Least

Wow they sure did miss that future Hall of Fame point guard who resurrected their franchise. No Kidding. (Normally I'd duck for cover from angry Nets fans pointing out the emergence of Devin Harris, but I have no fear here- there are no Nets fans. QUICK: Name the SB Nation Nets blog!) The Nets have just posted back-to-back seasons of 34 wins.

Projecting 2k9-2k10 Season: 34-48, Lottery bound

The Nets will be going for the trifecta this year. Back-to-back-to-back seasons of 34-48. How will they accomplish this mean feat minus the Vinsanity? I do like the TWill aka Gatorade Protector pick in the 2k9 draft and I'm looking for the Stanford big man to continue his rise. That should be more than enough to protect their very Warrior-like 34 win pace. The Nets aren't bad enough to win the lottery (odds are not in their favor) or land a valuable top 5 pick, but they're not good enough to make the playoffs. It's a frustrating situation to be stuck in, as we all know all too well here in Dubs land. Hey at least both teams are consistent.

Golden Predictions

Brook Lopez continues on his path towards being the Diet Coke of Tim Duncans by dropping 15 ppg, 9 rpg, and 2 blks.
Terrence Williams shows some flashes and looks to be a steady rotation swingman for the next 8+ seasons in the NBA.
The Nets rank in the bottom 5 in fan attendance in the entire association.
Devin Harris and Monta Ellis have eerily similar stats.
Skip to My Lou and his expiring $5.25 million contract get traded before the deadline.
Sean Williams makes a nice comeback.
Yi Jianlian's got next!

2009-2010 Around the Association

Introduction
Atlanta Hawks: Sorry, Mrs. Jackson. The Hawks are for real.
Boston Celtics: Sheed in Green + Another Answer
Charlotte Bobcats: They Do Exist
Chicago Bulls: Ring Around the Rose-y
Cleveland Cavaliers: Now or Never
Dallas Mavericks: The Curse of the Dampier
Denver Nuggets: If it ain't broke...
Detroit Pistons: The Return of the Bay Boys
Houston Rockets: Yao-ch!, that's gotta hurt
Indiana Pacers: A One Man Show
Los Angeles Clippers: Warriors South No More
Los Angeles Lakers: Big Brother, Little Brother
Memphis Grizzlies: Going Back to Vancouver
Miami Heat: Need to get the point
Milwaukee Bucks
Minnesota Timberwolves
New Jersey Nets
New Orleans Hornets: Two first names, one great point guard
New York Knicks
Oklahoma City Super Sonics
Orlando Magic
Philadelphia Sixers
Phoenix Suns
Portland TrailBlazers
Sacramento Kings
San Antonio Spurs
Toronto Raptors
Utah Jazz
Washington Wizards
Rewind

Poll

How would you characterize The Yi Movement in 2k9-2k10?

It's all well and alive like 2Pac and Biggie baby!

72 votes

Sadly it's dead like De La Soul.

184 votes

What's The Yi Movement?

211 votes

467 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Brook Lopez

Is a beast! He tore it up with Robin in his final tourney with Stanford.

by Goldenstarter on Sep 16, 2009 6:27 PM PDT reply actions

great work with the images, Tony

You reached another level of depth with Yi’s skin tones and expression combined with the colors in the globe and his uniform. He’s transformed into a pop icon like Warhol’s Mao.

by the.monk on Sep 17, 2009 12:44 PM PDT reply actions