Zhou Qi

[Neilace]

Any one heard the Rumor that Zhou Qi is close to Sign a contract with Clipper to play position 5? There are some rumors around in Chinese social media today but no first hand information

[TrueLAfan]

I’ve seen some Twitter comments about it that are very generic—nobody from the NBA (or, it looks like) Australian press has posted anything. (For people that don’t know, he played in the Australian NBL last year.) But, yes, there are quite a few rumors right now—and that would make sense for a few reasons:

--The Clippers always play things close to the vest, so it follows that we wouldn’t have heard anything “official.”
--Zhou signed a two year NBL deal last year, but the second year is apparently a player option.
--Zhou is one of the most visible international players on social media. He’s very, very good about keeping his name out there.
--Ballmer is not an idiot, and Zhou’s popularity and following could be a big deal in a city with a significant Chinese/Asian population. Like Los Angeles.

Personally, I’d be interested it. I remember him when he got drafted, and thought he wasn’t given anything like the right sort of development with the Rockets in 2018-19 (who were very much in “win now!” mode). He’s bulked up since then, and had two very good years with the Chinese CBL before going to Australia and playing well last year—11.3 points and 6.6 boards on 63% shooting with two blocks a game in only 21 minutes. I think he’s a markedly better player than he was four years ago. The question is whether it’s enough of an increase to make him a viable 10 mpg guy in the NBA.

[KL2]

Not a bad option to look at.

I assume (if the rumor is true) he’d be brought in to compete against Brown for the final roster spot/backup center minutes.

[LamarWho]

I don't know much about Moses Brown's game. Zhou Qi can definitely swat some shots and he's a good shooter for his size, with 3pt range. His main issue was lack of strength. Definitely has bulked up and no longer looks like Chet Holmgren.

And yes, if he signs here we'll instantly become the #1 favorite NBA team in China, overtaking the Rockets.

[Chronz]

I went to the Jerry west meet and greet and some dude was rocking a Wang zhi zhi jersey. Decades later, crazy

[clipsfever]

I went to the Jerry west meet and greet and some dude was rocking a Wang zhi zhi jersey. Decades later, crazy

I still can't believe we cut Ma Jian! (I am 50!)

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I would like to see us bring in Qi or another 5 (even Giles again) to battle Moses B for the 15th spot... The Big Hart vs. Giles competition really worked out for us and made last preseason interesting.

[ejftw]

With two open spots, one of them being a two-way, it would be great to see Qi, Giles, Moses fight for those slots. If health wasn't a concern, Giles would easily take it but as it stands, I think I'd give Qi the roster spot and Moses the two way

[KL2]

https://www.clipsnation.com/2022/7/29/23284364/report-clippers-zhou-qi-china-rockets-g-league-rumors-news

To that end, according to Matt Eaton of the South China Morning Post, it appears the Clippers might have interest in former NBA big man Zhou Qi.

According to Eaton, Zhou, who reportedly is currently in Los Angeles, has been removed from the team’s official website and been listed as a free agent by the NBL “after the team’s CEO Tommy Greer and head coach Simon Mitchell hinted they were looking to replace the Chinese superstar ahead of the upcoming season.”

[brutalitops]

I didnt really rate him until his latest season in the NBL

Thought he was a bit soft from watching him at the Rockets and slightly following the CBA,

He's improved his defense 10-fold and while he didnt get the offense to play through him as the NBL is a much tougher comp, he adjusted and was a menace in terms of doing small things, like setting dirty picks (to have such a light frame and to set nasty picks is a compliment), fighting to keep the offensive possession live, Pretty much anything you want from a skill limited big in the NBA

Could do a lot worse. Think he deserves a chance in the NBA again

[Wammy Giveaway]

Read on Twitter

If the Clippers are to go totally small by not picking up a backup center, Qi might not fit into the Clipper's basketball plans. He does fit as a "Clippers are the new Spurs" plan: an overseas player who's refined his craft, is of starter quality, a "high character" person, and one who opponents won't take seriously. Qi could be a two-way, or as a G-League affiliate asset that Clippers can observe and fine tune even further into a much better player.

Los Angeles SpursClippers: pounding the rock since 1970 2012 2020 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯