The Official Yi Jianlian Shrine

[montestewart]

^
I think Nate or someone already stated that rookie contracts can't be revised in that manner.

EDIT: Beat me to it.

[Wizardspride]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 03899.html

The Wizards' Yi Jianlian races to elevate his game


As John Wall awaited the outlet pass from Trevor Booker, Yi Jianlian dropped his head and sprinted down the middle of the court. By the time Wall received the ball near half court, the 7-foot Yi had already outrun every player down the floor, so Wall rewarded the hard-charging big man.

Yi moved so quickly that his momentum nearly carried him beyond the basket, but he gathered himself and dunked with two hands while getting fouled. Teammate Al Thornton rushed to Yi and greeted him with a celebratory forearm to the chest.

The Washington Wizards' textbook fast break against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday - two passes, no dribbles and a dunk, in less than five seconds - served as evidence of the evolving Yi, who is looking to finish strong near the basket more often and "race the floor," not simply run it.

"Race the floor," Yi said with a grin. "That is the term."

Yi picked up that phrase while working for six weeks last summer with David Thorpe, the executive director of the Pro Training Center in Clearwater, Fla. In one of their early conversations, Thorpe asked Yi if he runs the floor. When Yi told him yes, Thorpe retorted, "The best players race."

[Hoopalotta]

According to the Mike Lee piece above, there's no contract extension in the works - all smoke, no fire. I figured as much as it really made no sense at all.

It was an opportunistic deal for the Wizards, who sacrificed only Quinton Ross and also received $3 million from the Nets, meaning that they were able to rent Yi's services for a year for practically nothing.

Yi will be a restricted free agent next summer, but Fegan has not spoken to the Wizards about signing an extension before Nov. 1. And, according to multiple league sources, neither side is interested in getting anything done at this point.

[verbal8]

According to the Mike Lee piece above, there's no contract extension in the works - all smoke, no fire. I figured as much as it really made no sense at all.

It was an opportunistic deal for the Wizards, who sacrificed only Quinton Ross and also received $3 million from the Nets, meaning that they were able to rent Yi's services for a year for practically nothing.

Yi will be a restricted free agent next summer, but Fegan has not spoken to the Wizards about signing an extension before Nov. 1. And, according to multiple league sources, neither side is interested in getting anything done at this point.

If Yi plays well enough to keep, there really isn't much danger in letting him go in restricted Free Agency.

[gamer4Life]

cool yourself, Grand Dragon. We aren't in the 50's anymore. Jesus Christ..

Welcome to the Wizards board. Hope you're here for the long term.

Just a quick note. I've known Nate in this virtual space for years. (Too many years as it makes me feel old). If his comments seemed inartful, it was only b/c he was quoting something else. In real life, you won't find a nicer gentleman - who's also quite a stat geek. I'm of Asian descent, and when I read Nate's post, I knew that he had no ill-intentions behind it because I know him. So let me vouch for him.

Again, bolokhan, welcome to the board. Am looking forward to getting to know you as well.

Pine

There are two aspects of racist comments - intent and effect. While the intent wasn't there, the effect was. People reading his comment might be nudged further into thinking that racism is acceptable. Maybe not you or me, but perhaps some less-intelligent person where there aren't any Asians to change his attitude. And quoting a movie doesn't really justify it - Hollywood is full of racism. In fact, they should destroy or edit all movies with racist content, similar to what they did with the Hardy Boys novels. And finally, just because an Asian person condones a comment against Asians, doesn't mean it's okay. Sure you can vouch for Nate's character and intent, but it doesn't mean the act itself was acceptable.

Also, to comment on the "Chinamen"/"Redneck" comparison - redneck is not really racist because it refers to an uneducated, racist person, which implies that there is an educated, non-racist population. "Chinamen" is a blanket statement that refers to the person's ethnicity which they cannot change. Also, "Chinamen" isn't the same as "Chinese men" as some racists would explain. It implies a sub-species of men that is somehow different/inferior to "normal men".

Anyway, in this case, even though the intent wasn't there, quoting a racist "work of art" isn't exactly a good idea.

[gamer4Life]

As for Yi, he's been on streaks before. I'd say he needs to keep it up for at least half a season before people start jumping on the bandwagon. (enough time for opposing coaches to adjust)

[anthoang]

Yi does have good stretches of games sometimes. Last year in New Jersey, after Yi came back from an early season injury, he had a 10-game stretch where he was averaging 20+ pts... then it was reported Brooke Lopez complained about his lack of production. Then almost suddenly, Yi was getting less shots and he probably lost motivation to play well the rest of the season since Nets were on their way of being the losingest team in history.

I see a motivated Yi this season. I see a 3 man position at the Center and Power Forward spots. Yi, McGee and Blatche can share any of those two positions. Based on their playing styles, they can be interchanged seamlessly.
the combinations can go like this:
1. McGee(C) and Blatche(PF)
2. Blatche(C) and Yi (PF)
3. McGee(C) and Yi (PF)
4. McGee(C) and Blatche(PF) and Yi (SF)

[gesa2]

There are two aspects of racist comments - intent and effect. While the intent wasn't there, the effect was. People reading his comment might be nudged further into thinking that racism is acceptable. Maybe not you or me, but perhaps some less-intelligent person where there aren't any Asians to change his attitude. And quoting a movie doesn't really justify it - Hollywood is full of racism. In fact, they should destroy or edit all movies with racist content, similar to what they did with the Hardy Boys novels. And finally, just because an Asian person condones a comment against Asians, doesn't mean it's okay. Sure you can vouch for Nate's character and intent, but it doesn't mean the act itself was acceptable.

Also, to comment on the "Chinamen"/"Redneck" comparison - redneck is not really racist because it refers to an uneducated, racist person, which implies that there is an educated, non-racist population. "Chinamen" is a blanket statement that refers to the person's ethnicity which they cannot change. Also, "Chinamen" isn't the same as "Chinese men" as some racists would explain. It implies a sub-species of men that is somehow different/inferior to "normal men".

Anyway, in this case, even though the intent wasn't there, quoting a racist "work of art" isn't exactly a good idea.

I agree with lots of what you said here but I'm not sure you can defend the redneck comment in the same post. I don't know about you, but the word "redneck" calls to mind for me a very specific cultural and ethnic group - rural southern white people. I think that qualifies as racism. I also would add that education about the flaws of a society that a work of art was created in works better than editing out it's mistaken stereotypes to pretend that they didn't exist.

[nate33]

Also, to comment on the "Chinamen"/"Redneck" comparison - redneck is not really racist because it refers to an uneducated, racist person, which implies that there is an educated, non-racist population. "Chinamen" is a blanket statement that refers to the person's ethnicity which they cannot change. Also, "Chinamen" isn't the same as "Chinese men" as some racists would explain. It implies a sub-species of men that is somehow different/inferior to "normal men".

Forgive me for my ignorance, but why exactly is the term "Chinaman" an ethnic slur? Is it really any different than calling a Canadian a "Canuck", or an Australian an "Aussie"? Is associating a person with their land of origin now considered an insult?

I'm not trying to start an argument, I honestly don't understand. Maybe there's some historical use of the word that has negative connotations. I'm not aware of any, but then again, I'm not Asian. (Can I say "Asian"?)

I'm not trying to offend anybody, but good grief, it's so hard not to offend people these days.

[Hoopalotta]

It would historically be tied to the "Yellow Peril" and Chinese Exclusion Act. Also, China was manipulated and exploited (mostly) by European powers going back to the Opium Wars. Fu Man Chu, disparaging depictions in political cartoons, the Boxer Rebellion and so on.

But that was a good while back, so it's not really a part of the modern consciousness. Obviously some sensitivity still lingers, but I say give it another two hundred years and it'll blow over.

[TheGreatWall]

Also, to comment on the "Chinamen"/"Redneck" comparison - redneck is not really racist because it refers to an uneducated, racist person, which implies that there is an educated, non-racist population. "Chinamen" is a blanket statement that refers to the person's ethnicity which they cannot change. Also, "Chinamen" isn't the same as "Chinese men" as some racists would explain. It implies a sub-species of men that is somehow different/inferior to "normal men".

Forgive me for my ignorance, but why exactly is the term "Chinaman" an ethnic slur? Is it really any different than calling a Canadian a "Canuck", or an Australian an "Aussie"? Is associating a person with their land of origin now considered an insult?

I'm not trying to start an argument, I honestly don't understand. Maybe there's some historical use of the word that has negative connotations. I'm not aware of any, but then again, I'm not Asian. (Can I say "Asian"?)

I'm not trying to offend anybody, but good grief, it's so hard not to offend people these days.

Nate -- it's not the word itself that's offensive, as opposed to the connotation and use over the years. "Chinaman" has been used as a derogatory term for "a man from China" so to speak, so the word has developed a negative connotation.

For example, calling an African person from the bush a "bushman" would probably be offensive to that person. It's all about the historical use of the word, not it's literal use.

[willbcocks]

Hey gamer, the Japanese are offended that you grouped them together with lower-class Chinese. As are the urban Chinese. Oh crap, I'm a racist, the Japanese don't identify as Asians but I lumped them together. Hoopalotta, you live in Asia, stuff a mantou in my mouth quick and save me from myself!

[Dat2U]

Oh lord, I knew we'd have some Yi groupies coming over to the board but I didn't realize they'd be so sensitive.

[nate33]

Nate -- it's not the word itself that's offensive, as opposed to the connotation and use over the years. "Chinaman" has been used as a derogatory term for "a man from China" so to speak, so the word has developed a negative connotation.

For example, calling an African person from the bush a "bushman" would probably be offensive to that person. It's all about the historical use of the word, not it's literal use.

Thanks for the response, but it still doesn't quite explain it for me. I don't think the term "bushman" is analogous because being "from the bush" implies that you are some kind of primitive savage, which is clearly insulting.

It seems like the only explanation is that because there was once a Western bias against individuals from China (as Hoopalotta points out with his Opium Wars/Yellow Peril history lesson), that we are all therefore racists whenever we point out that a person in fact comes from the geographical region known as China. But wouldn't that make the term "African American" derogatory? Also, would I be derogatory if I call someone "Chinese"?

[willbcocks]

Nate: I would caution against saying Chinese because that doesn't respect the original Chinese language. To be more respectful and true to the letter of the language, you should call Yi a chinaman.

[nate33]

By the way, Wizboard mods, feel free to put this whole tangent in it's own thread.

[pineappleheadindc]

cool yourself, Grand Dragon. We aren't in the 50's anymore. Jesus Christ..

Welcome to the Wizards board. Hope you're here for the long term.

Just a quick note. I've known Nate in this virtual space for years. (Too many years as it makes me feel old). If his comments seemed inartful, it was only b/c he was quoting something else. In real life, you won't find a nicer gentleman - who's also quite a stat geek. I'm of Asian descent, and when I read Nate's post, I knew that he had no ill-intentions behind it because I know him. So let me vouch for him.

Again, bolokhan, welcome to the board. Am looking forward to getting to know you as well.

Pine

There are two aspects of racist comments - intent and effect. While the intent wasn't there, the effect was. People reading his comment might be nudged further into thinking that racism is acceptable. Maybe not you or me, but perhaps some less-intelligent person where there aren't any Asians to change his attitude. And quoting a movie doesn't really justify it - Hollywood is full of racism. In fact, they should destroy or edit all movies with racist content, similar to what they did with the Hardy Boys novels. And finally, just because an Asian person condones a comment against Asians, doesn't mean it's okay. Sure you can vouch for Nate's character and intent, but it doesn't mean the act itself was acceptable.

Also, to comment on the "Chinamen"/"Redneck" comparison - redneck is not really racist because it refers to an uneducated, racist person, which implies that there is an educated, non-racist population. "Chinamen" is a blanket statement that refers to the person's ethnicity which they cannot change. Also, "Chinamen" isn't the same as "Chinese men" as some racists would explain. It implies a sub-species of men that is somehow different/inferior to "normal men".

Anyway, in this case, even though the intent wasn't there, quoting a racist "work of art" isn't exactly a good idea.

Thanks for the response, gamer. Appreciate the time and thought you put into it.

I guess I just see things differently. My view – which you’re free to agree or disagree with (I may be wrong or right, who knows?) – is that intent does matter. Matter a lot. STIPULATION: I hereby stipulate that measuring intent is difficult and mind-reading is not something we all do well.

I feel like language and culture changes so quickly that I can understand how people can accidentally – through no harmful intent – step on something that they didn’t mean to. I think that’s what happened to Nate.

As a parallel, the guy who works near me is my agency’s Indian (American Indian, not South Asian) policy outreach director. Sometimes at big projects, we all support each other and I had to work a summit with him in Indian country. So I’m making idle talk with a number of attendees and I tell a tribal leader something like “it’s really interesting to come to a Native American summit like this…” The gentleman looked at me kindly (but with a hint like “sigh, you just don’t know) and said softly that their preference was “Indian”. I thought to myself – hey, I thought “Indian” was racist b/c it comes from the old days where Columbus thought he’d found a new way to the “orient” and thought these folks were (Asian) Indian….when did Indian become okay? But, heck, who am I to tell people what language is okay or not. So now it’s Indian. And I’m thankful that the Indian tribal leader didn’t spend time getting mad at me b/c he understood that I was trying and just didn’t have the right language with me.

Same (IMO) on when people mistake “oriental” with “Asian” or whatever, including Nate’s clip. I honestly understand how some can be offended, so I’m not whacking at you. I just know that there but for the grace of God go I. That I’ve stepped in it accidentally – and am thankful for people who I’ve interacted with in these instances for their patience and understanding. And their understanding that while I may have stepped in it accidentally, it was with no ill intent and, accordingtly, no harm-no foul.

I think you – and everyone here – would like the same experience if and when you inadvertently – with no intent – post or say something that offends another. Right?

[montestewart]

I agree with lots of what you said here but I'm not sure you can defend the redneck comment in the same post. I don't know about you, but the word "redneck" calls to mind for me a very specific cultural and ethnic group - rural southern white people. I think that qualifies as racism. I also would add that education about the flaws of a society that a work of art was created in works better than editing out it's mistaken stereotypes to pretend that they didn't exist.

The origin of "redneck" is not specifically connected to ignorance, but to the sunburned necks of farmworkers or, alternatively, to the red bandannas worn by unionized mineworkers (these are at least the primary theories of origin). Over time, it came to mean ignorant white people and has been generally applied to Southerners or Appalachians, and, more broadly, to an ignorant white person. I've only rarely heard the term outside of these uses, and since this race-specific use also generalizes about a region and/or class, the term carries quite a lot of prejudicial power.

I encountered the power of the term (and "cracker") when I was at a party and used these terms, insulting several southern-born (but not at all ignorant) white people, including a relative. I have since generally excised these words from my vocabulary. Meanings of words can change, and it's not always easy to know what terms might be offensive ("punk," for example, definitely has a lot of different meanings), but if the intent is not to hurt, it's worth being aware of the sometimes charged meanings of words.

I generally agree with the comment about the excising of of literature, but if an unedited version of a work in question is presented without some framing of the context, then antiquated and racist portrayals might come across as perfectly valid contemporary portrayals. Not that I'd recommend H.P. Lovecraft for a child, but his portrayals of Africa, African-Americans, and non-whites in general (and including Jews) could pretty well skew a young, impressionable mind. The same might be said for Joseph Conrad, Jack London, Dashiell Hammett, and on and on.

[doclinkin]

cool yourself, Grand Dragon. We aren't in the 50's anymore. Jesus Christ..

What I wanna know is why he gets to take the Lord's name in vain. Gosh darned yellowneck...

EDIT: We need a racism thread, that would be loads of fun.

[fugop]

I'm a redneck, and don't have a problem with the word. I contemn most of my fellow travelers.