Yi to the Wizards for Ross

[kavu]

I have a crazy theory - this move could be VERY temporary. If dwight howard oks the trade, we'd possibly be sending Yi and Gil to the magic for Vinsanity and Marcin Gortat. (that's assuming they can't get Brad Miller) If that's the case, i LOVE this move. we get a SG and a skilled starting C so the starting lineup could be

Wall
Vinsanity
Thornton
Blatche
Gortat

That actually would be a fun lineup to watch with Hinrich, Young, Booker, Seraphin and McGee coming off the bench. We'd be a low budget version of the celtics. Fast backup, with a front court that'll foul your ass, block your shot or both

Let's be clear...the only similarity we would have to the celtics is that we both lose to LA (only we'll be losing to the Clippers as well as the Lakers)

[LyricalRico]

Yi Jianlian is a 7' car accident, a tornado of suck tearing across the Meadowlands, an extended metaphor that refuses to end...

Obviously you guys don't remember Yi's dominance in pre-draft workouts against multiple folding chairs. We got a steal.

Gotta admit, these are funny.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Yi Jianian = Chinese tornado of suck



sashae, the part about "extended metaphor that refuses to end" is like Dennis Miller to me. Probably really funny, but I'm not smart enough to get it.

[doclinkin]

A couple thoughts I didn't see touched in this thread:

Yi is actually an okay fit for what Flip likes his Bigs to do. Yi can hit a midrange jumper, yes that's about his only skill, but that's what Flip prefers his bigs to do. This leaves room for crossing patterns underneath for the Rip player to dodge past pin-down screens etc. So Yi may actually prove slightly more effective here than elsewhere. Never know.

The other aspect: There's a very Sun Tzu strategem that you could think Ted is running here. One year before a possible lockout and new salary structure, he's giving his East Coast opponents ammunition to get themselves into a bidding war against each other. Meanwhile he stockpiles short term contracts, poised to take advantage of whatever comes next.

As an owner who has helped shepherd another sport through a very advantageous agreement post-lockout, I suspect his advice may be leaned on in the new agreement. He may be poised to shape the new CBA and take best advantage.

The strategy is make your enemies strong against each other then lay low and take your pickings from their wreckage, basically. The EC opponents work themselves into a frenzy recruiting, raising fan expectations, then, even if they miss, they overpay for 2nd tier stars. Not stupid if you don't expect to contend immediately anyway.

[301baller]

I have a crazy theory - this move could be VERY temporary. If dwight howard oks the trade, we'd possibly be sending Yi and Gil to the magic for Vinsanity and Marcin Gortat. (that's assuming they can't get Brad Miller) If that's the case, i LOVE this move. we get a SG and a skilled starting C so the starting lineup could be

Wall
Vinsanity
Thornton
Blatche
Gortat

That actually would be a fun lineup to watch with Hinrich, Young, Booker, Seraphin and McGee coming off the bench. We'd be a low budget version of the celtics. Fast backup, with a front court that'll foul your ass, block your shot or both

Let's be clear...the only similarity we would have to the celtics is that we both lose to LA (only we'll be losing to the Clippers as well as the Lakers)

LA capitalized off the celtics misfortune. With a healthy kendrick perkins the Celtics win that series.

this team is being built to contend in the East, you need at least 4 solid big men and a Good backcourt to advance in the playoffs. while i don't like/nor understand this move, i'm looking at the bigger picture. i think there's alot more moves left to be made so this guy could be trade bait for someone else.

[Severn Hoos]

I have a crazy theory - this move could be VERY temporary. If dwight howard oks the trade, we'd possibly be sending Yi and Gil to the magic for Vinsanity and Marcin Gortat. (that's assuming they can't get Brad Miller) If that's the case, i LOVE this move. we get a SG and a skilled starting C so the starting lineup could be

Wall
Vinsanity
Thornton
Blatche
Gortat

That actually would be a fun lineup to watch with Hinrich, Young, Booker, Seraphin and McGee coming off the bench. We'd be a low budget version of the celtics. Fast backup, with a front court that'll foul your ass, block your shot or both

Hmmm, not crazy about that one, but what if you swapped Pietrus in for Gortat? Arenas + Yi for Pietrus + Carter? Pietrus has a player option for 11-12, but wouldn't eat into our 2012 cap space.

Short term suckage, but crazy cap space in 2012:

Wall/Hinrich/FA (Randle?)
Hinrich/Young
Carter/Pietrus/Thornton
Blatche/Booker
McGee/Seraphin/Hamady

Use the other TPE or sign low-cost vets to fill out the roster on short-term deals.

I'd really hate to lose Gilbert, but that one just might work for me. Pietrus is yet another in the French connection, plays solid defense and can hit the 3 (sometimes). I'd really like to see this as a trade deadline deal rather than this summer, but I guess we'd take what we can get.

[sashae]

Yi is actually an okay fit for what Flip likes his Bigs to do. Yi can hit a midrange jumper, yes that's about his only skill, but that's what Flip prefers his bigs to do. This leaves room for crossing patterns underneath for the Rip player to dodge past pin-down screens etc. So Yi may actually prove slightly more effective here than elsewhere. Never know.

He has an eFG% of .389 for Jump Shots and .367 for Close Shots. He can't shoot unless being defended by office furniture.

[doclinkin]

Yi is actually an okay fit for what Flip likes his Bigs to do. Yi can hit a midrange jumper, yes that's about his only skill, but that's what Flip prefers his bigs to do. This leaves room for crossing patterns underneath for the Rip player to dodge past pin-down screens etc. So Yi may actually prove slightly more effective here than elsewhere. Never know.

He has an eFG% of .389 for Jump Shots and .367 for Close Shots. He can't shoot unless being defended by office furniture.

Yeah, okay, that's crap. Well then, strategy three, he's stocking the roster with short term suck and long term developing prospects and strengthening EC opponents to ensure he misses the playoffs and lock in a lotto pick for another cheap high draft pick or two.

Then: dynasty...

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

It seems to me Ernie's not so much interested in getting basketball players as he is getting dudes that can fight.

--Johnson's a karate champ, if he comes.

--Seraphin looks like he could whip Brock Lesnar if he can keep the fight standing up.

--I think I saw Yi Jianlian doing kung fu in a scene where the camera panned over hundreds of martial artists training in Beijing, during the movie Karate Kid. I mean come on, he is Chinese. He obviously knows kung fu.

--Hinrich is a white dude from Iowa. Every male from Iow is a cocky farm boy who wrestles and who won't run from a fight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2cA9FMiCxA

At 0:29 he actually goes upside Rondo's head.
Trust me, Rondo didn't want any of Hinrich. Look at Hinrich's eyes and note he's moving forward and Rondo's doing a Carmelo Anthony moonwalk halfway across the court.

In the famous Eddy Curry ball-punching a prone Brendan Haywood fight, Hinrich instigated the whole thing. Watch him get in Brendan's face, of all people to pop off to. Kirk doesn't give a crap, obviously.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYqdGFc8 ... re=related

So, I've got to say that this team won't be anybody's bitch this season. Might not be a good team, but if the game turns to a brawl or an MMA event, Wizards are right there.

[JWizmentality]

I also pegged you as a reasonably intelligent cat. How do you continue to miss the point here?

I get what ya'll are trying to say. I just don't see it as as detrimental as you people are making it out to be. I don't put much weight into stats especially considering the team he was playing for. Was it pointless and using up cap space? Yes. But no longterm damage done and like I said, he'll contribute more than Ross was ever going to. Plus we just gained a helluva lot more fans. It's a win win to me. Maybe it's just the cynical side of me why I'm not caring too much about this.

[Hoopalotta]

The other aspect: There's a very Sun Tzu strategem that you could think Ted is running here. One year before a possible lockout and new salary structure, he's giving his East Coast opponents ammunition to get themselves into a bidding war against each other. Meanwhile he stockpiles short term contracts, poised to take advantage of whatever comes next.

Yeah, I totally agree about that. I liked the guy early in the thread who said we were going to face 5 Juggernaut teams over the next 5-10 years based on these moves.

Even the teams we don't deal with directly are pushed further into desperation.

[fishercob]

I also pegged you as a reasonably intelligent cat. How do you continue to miss the point here?

I get what ya'll are trying to say. I just don't see it as as detrimental as you people are making it out to be. I don't put much weight into stats especially considering the team he was playing for. Was it pointless and using up cap space? Yes. But no longterm damage done and like I said, he'll contribute more than Ross was ever going to. Plus we just gained a helluva lot more fans. It's a win win to me. Maybe it's just the cynical side of me why I'm not caring too much about this.

We all look the same to you, don't we...

[AXL2018]

thats a good move hes only 22 ross was worth nothing

[JWizmentality]

We all look the same to you, don't we...

Yup, I can't stand you stinkin Japs. Always giving the Chinese a hard time.

Wanna fight about it.

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

It seems to me Ernie's not so much interested in getting basketball players as he is getting dudes that can fight.

--Johnson's a karate champ, if he comes.

--Seraphin looks like he could whip Brock Lesnar if he can keep the fight standing up.

Might not be a good team, but if the game turns to a brawl or an MMA event, Wizards are right there.

(extra points for the Lesnar reference just days before one of the biggest fights in MMA history. I'm also still looking to hear Raf's story about how he almost got into it with Liddel, but that will have to be left to "random thoughts"...)

And people are already warming up to Seraphin and Hinrich just days after the sky was falling, I think this trade will be similar. Heck, he might actually not suck!

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

It seems to me Ernie's not so much interested in getting basketball players as he is getting dudes that can fight.

--Johnson's a karate champ, if he comes.

--Seraphin looks like he could whip Brock Lesnar if he can keep the fight standing up.

Might not be a good team, but if the game turns to a brawl or an MMA event, Wizards are right there.

(extra points for the Lesnar reference just days before one of the biggest fights in MMA history. I'm also still looking to hear Raf's story about how he almost got into it with Liddel, but that will have to be left to "random thoughts"...)

And people are already warming up to Seraphin and Hinrich just days after the sky was falling, I think this trade will be similar. Heck, he might actually not suck!

Thanks. I try to keep stay current, NBTW.

Speaking of Liddell, I'm certain if I hit him first I would knock him out. That's not saying much, as I believe the average relatively strong punch could these days. Chuck is stick-a-fork-in-him done. Probably has some brain damage, too.

Raf, I don't know you but if you're relatively agile and you know how to fight you might have whipped Chuck's ass. Just because these guys are on tv doesn't mean they can't get their ass kicked if they get hit first. Like Serra beat GSP the first time, anybody can get caught. A dude like Chuck who can no longer take a punch is bound to get beat down like Suge Knight has been many a time.

PS-I'm old, overweight, would get gassed and would get my butt kicked by the average fit young guy fighter. However, anybody who can punch can knock a guy out if he hits him right.

[JWizmentality]

Speaking of Liddell, I'm certain if I hit him first I would knock him out. That's not saying much, as I believe the average relatively strong punch could these days. Chuck is stick-a-fork-in-him done. Probably has some brain damage, too.

No no no no. These guys train everyday to take damage to the noggin, and unless you've specifically trained yourself to throw a "proper" punch. I image your best punch would probably feel like a slap in the face. Their bones are far more compact due to years of training. You could knock out the average joe though. Take pride.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

JWiz, trust me. I know how to hit very, very hard.

You don't have to be an elite fighter to be an elite puncher.

Obviously, if a fighter is prepared for your punch they will ready their deltoid muscles, chin, reflexes, etc. and will slip your punch, roll with your punch, or absorb your punch. Afterward, they'll beat you down, choke you out, otherwise submit you, etc. I'm not saying I could do anything but get beat down if he saw the punch coming.

What I'm saying is if I hit Chuck like he's gotten hit the last 4 or 5 times he's been knocked out-- blindly, I'd knock him out, too. So would the average football-build player type. Liddell's not even seen the punches of Rampage, Rashad, Shogun, and even Rich Franklin coming. Those guys weigh about 205 (or 215 the night of the fight). I weigh 270, but if I EVER get back in shape I'd be pretty fit at 220.

When you can bench 225 over 20 times and you've got fast, heavy, hands and great hand eye coordination; if you hit a dude on the chin he's going out.

Doesn't matter who you are and who they are. You will knock them out.

It's simple physics, JWiz.

Can't tell you what or who I've hit and the damage that's been caused, JWiz. But I know what I'm saying when I tell you you don't have to be trained to be very heavy handed.

[Rafael122]

Long story short, me and my friend were in Vegas for 3 weeks last year working a convention. We were staying at Caesar's Palace. One night, me and my buddy were walking through the Forum Shops. We were completely wasted and I noticed Chuck Liddell was walking in the forum shops with two hot women by his side. This is where it gets fuzzy, apparently I walked over to Chuck yelling "**** Chuck Liddell" and according to my buddy, Chuck was about to punch me in the face. All I remember was meeting him and shaking his hand, but I don't remember anything about him almost decking me.

Back on topic, I posted something long winded but it bears repeating:

no one was coming here in 2010 or 2011 so our best bet is to take other people's trash and make the best of it. We are not going to the playoffs this year, and probably not next year. We have to field a team this year guys. AK-47 wasn't walking through that door, neither is Marc Gasol or Carmelo Anthony.

[JWizmentality]

JWiz, trust me. I know how to hit very, very hard.

A Thai boxer did an exhibition while I was still going to high school in Jamaica. He had someone break a wooden bat across his face and apart from a gash from one of the splinters and a bloody lip, his face didn't even swell. He didn't even so much as flinch when he got hit. This guy just cleaned up and carried on his exhibition for another hour. Mind you, I think his training is far more intense than your average MMA fighter but it's the same concept.