Earlier today Chad Ford dropped version 3.0 of his mock draft on ESPN.com (stay tuned for the 2nd Edition of We're Mocking You). In his mock draft Yi Jianlian of The Movement fame is slotted to go to the nuclear disaster that is the Boston Celtics with the #5 pick. BUT Ford sees the Golden State Warriors and Chicago Bulls making it interesting:
This is a tough call since the future of the Celtics is so murky. Yi has the most upside at this point but also carries a significant risk that Celts boss Danny Ainge might not want to bear. And with Paul Pierce stumping for immediate help, it might be an unpopular pick.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Celtics traded the pick -- the Warriors and Bulls would like to move up here and grab Yi.
To Chi-town or Oaktown?
The Bulls are big on Yi:
But so are the Dubs who Ford has taking 7 foot center Jason Smith from Colorado State:
Watch the Warriors closely. They are very high on Yi Jianlian and will try to move up in the draft.
If they can't, Smith is the perfect type of player for Nellie. He is tall and athletic, gets up and down the floor and can score from just about anywhere on the floor. He also plays with great energy. He could be a real sleeper in the draft.
If Ford's on the money it looks like the only thing that could stop the Warriors from bringing Yi's intriguing potential to the Bay is the Bulls. Depending on how serious the Bulls really are about getting Yi, they're in the driver's seat here. The Bulls have a high pick at #9 (thanks to Isiah Thomas) that could bring back a very nice player in a much hyped draft class, while the Warriors have a late mid-round pick at #18 that's usually good for nothing more than a crapshoot. Right now I'd say the Bulls will probably wind up with Yi, but you never know what can happen if We Believe Yi.
Which is the more likely destination for Yi, Chicago or the Bay Area?
Check out:
- 2007 NBA Draft: We want Yi Jian Lian!
- China vs USA- It's Yi Time!
- The Yi Movement Continues...
- Yi's Got Yao Ming and the Ladies Running!
- Yi Dropping Double Doubles
- Spanish Fly vs Yi Fly
- China vs USA- It's Yi Time!
- RECAP: Team USA 119, China 73
- Yi is FIBA's Interview of the (Long)Week
- Yi's a Sure Thing + Coast II Coast Bust
- Yi at FIBA and 2k7 Draft
- Yi in 2k7
- Yi's Sweeter than Mango Mochi Ice Cream
- Nellie Loves Chinese Ballas
- Yi Chat with Chad Ford
- Scouts LOVE Yi
- Is The Yi Movement Over?
- Rumor: Warriors are Yi "Approved"
99% of rumors never happen, but 99% of them are fun to talk about!