Yi's immediate future role ? as in next year's role

[MajorDad]

I probably could have included this in some other Yi thread, but who reads threads after they have reached 20 pages? I know I don't . I might read the first and last page and 15 of the 20 pages are usually about something not related to the title. reading the carlilse thread is a good example.

I'm not going to call Yi a Bust, neither will I call him a future all star. he has the potential to be both. if doesn't build up his endurance and strenbth, his next year will be very much like this one. if he learns to play defense , and can make funny commercials, he could become an all star. For all I know, Yi could be the first player traded or a lifetime buck. Chinese players are usually very loyal. Yi will not ask for a trade or complain..

with that said, I think Yi is a project. I believe he got a lot of playing time early primarily because Kohl promised the Chineese government that he would. one of the promises made was that Yi would get playing time to hel p prepare him for the Olympics. otherwise, we would have kept Yi's draft rights and he would have contiued playing in China. looking back, that would have probably been the best idea.

When the Bucks start their new season, the 2008 olympics will be behind us. there will be no pressing need to start Yi so that he can gain experience for the games. So, I ask, what will his role be? Will he start? Will he be tried at SF? Will he become our 6th man? Will he go back to being treated like the project he is and become our 11th man? As I said, there will a lot less political pressure to play YI. Wil l Skiles play Yi based on his ability rather than being politically correct? if pressure comes down from Kohl to play YI because of hsi past promises, will hammonds and Skiles have the kahunas to tell Kohl where to go?

I want to re-iterate, I have nothing against YI. I do think his playing time last ye r was more than it should have been and was the result of a kohl promis to Yi's former team and Chinese sports authority. i think CV was more deserving- although CV has a lot of flaws in his game.

if Yi is a project, I would hope the Bucks treat him as such and teach him how to improve his deficiencies. i would also hope the Bucks start their 5 best players without regards to politics.

So what do you envision Yi's immediate future to be? starter? bench warmer? 6th man? small forward? traded?

[crkone]

I think Yi would work great in Skiles' system with his pick and pop ability. Skiles will also teach him how to play better defense as he already has the physical ability to cover most PFs. But who knows where he will play in the lineup. Hammond may try to get another PF in here, or he will tell Skiles that Yi is the best option available. I do know that I would like to see Yi against the world in the Olympics though, and see if he plays any better as the focal point of the offense.

[msiris]

Starter at PF who will be on a very short leash. Need a banger PF backing him up.

[MightyReds2020]

As an outsider, I believe the Bucks should find a short-term starting PF and bring Yi off the bench if there is no political pressure. That starting PF don't even have to be a lot better than Yi - someone like Chuck Hayes will do just fine.

The point is to develop Yi's game and strength slowly and with a plan before you throw him out there against the starting PFs in this league like early this season. He could also really benefit from less but steady playing time consider the grind he will go through this year.

I don't expect Yi to make a lot of noise next season, but in 09/10 and ideally with a summer of more rest, he could really become a player that's at least worth his draft spot.

Just my 2 cents.

[bullzman23]

If Yi is a lazy defender or weak rebounder then Skiles will have a very short leash with him. If he's got poor work-ethic then he'll have no leash. Because of this, I suspect CV to be amongst the first to be moved or fall out of the rotation. Offensively, Skiles did a fairly good job using jump shooters like Songaila, Malik Allen, and Joe Smith. He also did a fairly good job with Curry.

One bad thing about Skiles in Chicago was that he refused to work with a big man coach. There was an article written by either Sam Smith or K.C. Jones that said that Paxson had wanted to hire a big man coach several times, but that Skiles talked him out of it because he believed he could develop the bigs himself. As you all know, we have a shakey history with developing big men.

[Nebula1]

I hope Yi shows something, since he's definitely falling out of favor with me.

I'd like to see what Skiles can do with Villanueva. I don't see the immediate need to trade him.

Draft DJ White. Plays tough and with heart. Also effective on both ends.

[LISTEN2JAZZ]

One bad thing about Skiles in Chicago was that he refused to work with a big man coach. There was an article written by either Sam Smith or K.C. Jones that said that Paxson had wanted to hire a big man coach several times, but that Skiles talked him out of it because he believed he could develop the bigs himself. As you all know, we have a shakey history with developing big men.

Yi doesn't work with team coaches anyway; he has his own private Chinese coach who is teaching him how to be an NBA big man.

[SupremeHustle]

-= original quote snipped =-

Yi doesn't work with team coaches anyway; he has his own private Chinese coach who is teaching him how to be an NBA big man.

Calgon, take Yi away!

[jbone]

gery woelful just said on 1250 at about 3:50 that he wouldn't be suprised if yi wasn't on the bucks next year saying he talkied to someeone close to fegan and said fegan will play the trade card hard this summer.

[bullzman23]

gery woelful just said on 1250 at about 3:50 that he wouldn't be suprised if yi wasn't on the bucks next year saying he talkied to someeone close to fegan and said fegan will play the trade card hard this summer.

If that's the case, would you all be open to a Yi/Simmons for Hinrich trade?

[smalls]

Starter at PF who will be on a very short leash. Need a banger PF backing him up.

i agree

[CBUCK06]

-= original quote snipped =-




If that's the case, would you all be open to a Yi/Simmons for Hinrich trade?

I think that Yi is viewed as a piece for the future, but is a bit of a project. He'd be great in the pick and roll, but Me Williams was about Me Williams.

Given is summer summer responsibilities, I'd like Yi's minutes monitored, especially early on. W/ Sessions passing I could see Yi being a third or fourth option on offense. It's WAY too early to give up on Yi.

Let Me Williams and Mike Redd go...

[wireonfire]

-= original quote snipped =-

Yi doesn't work with team coaches anyway; he has his own private Chinese coach who is teaching him how to be an NBA big man.

That guy is American, actually. But he came en route Yi's guangdong team. Somehow the team owner publicly ripped him to Chinese media, saying if he was no good with the guangdong tigers, would he be any good to the bucks? He definitely is mystery, because it doesn't appear he came because the Chinese wanted him. Maybe he is Fegan's man?

[Andrew34r]

I think he should start too with a short leash. I liked what I saw from Yi...he was one of the few guys that hustled on the team...and even when his shot wasnt going it was close misses and by all accounts he was draining them in practice. Nerves...fatigue etc. are probably to blame as well as the teammates...Mo and Redd were Yi's first impression of the NBA hopefully he understands that those are not very smart NBA players. I think despite the olympics he will have a big second year as he adjusts even more to the NBA game and a real head coach.

[LISTEN2JAZZ]

Next year Yi will continue to focus on giving the least interesting interviews in sports history.

[wireonfire]

He'll have two months after the Olympics to rest. He should be fresh for next season.

[Andrew34r]

Next year Yi will continue to focus on giving the least interesting interviews in sports history.

???

Is your first day what you expected?

[Ayt]

I'd be really shocked if he is traded. I think Hammond and Skiles will want to at least get a chance to work with him to see what they can get out of him before moving him.

[LISTEN2JAZZ]

1. "If you could grade your rookie season, what parts of your game would you rate the strongest, and what part of your game do you think needs the most work?"

"If I could point to something specifically, I'd say becoming more stable on offense, and then my overall defense."

Well Yi, that is just riveting.

[showtimesam]

We'll trade mo for haslem and keep Yi.

From there we'll have a nice big man rotation of Bogut/Yi/Haslem