Yi not playing for China this year?

[Preludepunk27]

http://www.china.org.cn/sports/2009-05/06/content_17731263.htm

Guo will debut as coach during the Asian Championships on home soil in Tianjin in September.

He will immediately face pressure to win the title despite the likely absence of Yao and Yi Jianlian, of New Jersey Nets.

If this is true, I think it's a big step for Yi. Not that he'll "break out" next season, but he has to do what is best for "him" first and "his country" second. His body needs to rest and he needs to focus on his development this summer.

[amk482]

Perhaps China realized how bad he is and "cut" him. Just kidding...but this is only good news, if after taking somce much needed R&R, that he comes back here to hit the weight room.

[Adam1221]

This is excellent look guys this guy really did show flashes of that upside we kept hearing about when we traded RJ for him and maybe the reason he stank up the place for the most part last year was because he never got a break for almost 2 years.
Besides the 3rd year is when you can officially call someone a bust and Im sure Netsforce will make some awesome Kwami Brown like jokes if Yi does turn out to be one.

[Preludepunk27]

Nah you break out the Zhi Zhi jokes if we're gonna label him a bust.

Regardless, I'm unnaturally high on Yi, so what I say about him here is usually pretty conservative. I just hope he figures out what the hell he needs to do...and DOES IT!

[vincecarter4pres]

I'm hoping we do soemthing like trade the 11th overall, Yi, Sean Williams and the GSW pick to GSW for their pick(7th overall) if Harden is there and Brandan Wright. I basically only do this if Harden is still there, which is quite possible. GS was interested in Yi and around the same time that there were rumors of a trade with Sean Williams being swapped for Belinelli, there were also some rumors of the Yi for Wright swap(This was from some of the more reliable GS posters at the time of the rumors).

[SteveNets15]

Yi is the X-factor for us to be good this year.I got a good feeling if he gets some rest and works on his skills, he could give us 16pts 6brds a game.I know everyone's not feeling Yi right now but he showed signs this year that he could make an impact out there.We're stuck with him just like Lfrank for one more year so let's hope i'm right.

Unless we could trade him for something better.

[Rich Rane]

Best Yi news since his hot streak before the injury. He needs some rest and needs to get away from that pressure for at least a few months, that is unless we trade him. Then I couldn't really give a damn.

[vincecarter4pres]

Everyone keeps saying Yi has shown signs of being a really good player because he had a stretch of 6 really good games, but even Ammo had a couple 30 something point games his rookie season and a bunch of 20 something point ones. Does he still have "potential"? :

[wireonfire]

I'm pretty positive he'll have to play in the asian championship this summer.

[S.I.C. GM]

Nah you break out the Zhi Zhi jokes if we're gonna label him a bust.

Regardless, I'm unnaturally high on Yi, so what I say about him here is usually pretty conservative. I just hope he figures out what the hell he needs to do...and DOES IT!

I agree with you. I am high on Yi. I think he is going to be a good player. Sixth man type though.

As for him getting it, I think that is something Frank has to figure out.

Last year Frank decided it should be all about Harris. I hope he rethinks this and decides for it to be all about the Nets - Give each player plays and use each player according to their skills.

[NetsForce]

I just want the Nets to stop making Yi a spot-up shooter the whole reason why people rave about his "potential" is because he has good ball-handling skills for a big man and is supposed to be creating mismatches... You can't really do that if you're relegated to the corner all game and only getting catch-and-shoot opportunities...

I want to see more Yi post-ups and drives to the basket. If he fails in both of those aspects then he's officially a bust, but we'll never know until we try.

[S.I.C. GM]

I just want the Nets to stop making Yi a spot-up shooter the whole reason why people rave about his "potential" is because he has good ball-handling skills for a big man and is supposed to be creating mismatches... You can't really do that if you're relegated to the corner all game and only getting catch-and-shoot opportunities...

I want to see more Yi post-ups and drives to the basket. If he fails in both of those aspects then he's officially a bust, but we'll never know until we try.

Why not have him pick and roll? He is very athletic and is quick.

[Preludepunk27]

There was literally ONE game this past season (right before his injury, put I can't remember which game) that they allowed Yi to play close to the basket. It was because peole were hurt or in foul trouble or something but I can't remember. He played awesome that came. Showed a few nice back to the basket moves. I'm sorry, he is 7' tall and has a high release that is hard to block. He should be able to get his shot off over even an more athletic guy guarding him. It's nice that he has range out to the 3pt line, but we can't let the kid live out there either. You can practice back to the basket all you damn want, it never fully develops until you are allowed to use is consistently in a game setting. Even though Yi isn't living up to his potential for most people right now, I refuse to put the blame solely on his shoulders. The only guy who seems to be "helping" Yi is Kiki lol. Yeah the kid needs to learn to help himself too, but that can only take him so far.

Ok I'm rambling, but all Yi's struggles is not all his fault. Frank has no clue how to help develop this kid.