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Yi Jianlian
#9 – Yi Jianlian – New Jersey Nets
Season: 10.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 40% fg percentage, 78% ft percentage, 39% 3pt percentage
Career: 9.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 41% fg percentage, 82% ft percentage, 37 % 3pt percentage
Yi isn’t a standout player by any means. His numbers are mediocre at best and his rookie campaign was also subpar. What Yi has going for him, however, is the fact that he’s just 21 years old. Yao Ming wasn’t built in one day – and the Nets hope that Yi can blossom into something that closely resembles the Houston center.
Yi – however, is a different player than Yao. Sure they’re both gigantic and they’re both from China but they play two different styles. Yao is an interior player, Yi is a perimeter player; it really is just as simple as that. Will Yi ever be that same shot blocking, lane clogging, defensive machine the Nets need? Probably not – but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
The Good
Yi has a sweet outside shot. For a seven footer, he’s got a pretty mid-range shot and an even deadlier outside three-ball. Yi’s ability to hit those shots creates huge mismatch problems for the defense and will open up holes. Once he learns to pass (1.0 assist average) he’ll be able to run the offence as a point-forward, similar to Vlade Divac.
The Bad
Yi has a sweet outside shot. Seven footers primarily belong in the lane, backing defenders down and getting to the line. Yi’s shot gives him more of a reason to camp outside – and that’s not where the Nets would like to see him. As mentioned above, Yi hasn’t learned to pass either. Sure, he’s 21, but he should know – or have the court awareness to know when to give the ball up.
The Recap
- Solid outside shot.
- Can hit the three ball.
- Stretches defenses / creates mismatches.
- Needs to develop a post game.
Tips and Tricks
Yi’s shot will be his downfall. Keep him on the perimeter, get a hand up and you’ll live with whatever happens. Sure, he might hit a few shots – but he’s no real threat to do any significant damage. He’s averaging about 25 minutes a game, making just a few buckets – and barely heading to the line. Keep him outside to keep him off the glass and you’ll be sure to contain him.
Final Thoughts
Having a seven footer camp outside is a waste, in my opinion. It’s not a question of whether or not he can hit those outside shots – he can. But he can do so much more with his size it would be unfortunate if he continued to sit outside. When Yi learns to mix his game up, get some handles, pass out of bad situations and just fit into a flow of offence, he’ll find much more success than with what he’s doing now. I’m a big Yi fan – but, I’d love to see more out of him.
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