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TalkBulls Forums _ Bulls Talk _ Chinese NAT'l Team Refuses to let Yi play for Bucks
Posted by: steve9347 Jul 17 2007, 10:55 AM
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2939260
Yi, taken by Milwaukee with the sixth selection in the NBA draft last month, would "definitely not" play for Milwaukee, Tuesday's Beijing News quoted Guangdong Tigers chief, Chen Haitao, as saying.
"This is not -- as media reports have said -- because Milwaukee, as a city with very few Chinese people, is not good for Yi's commercial development," Chen said.
"Rather we want to find a team suitable for Yi's growth. That's the root of the problem," he added.
Earlier in July, Yi's Chinese agent said the unsigned player was looking to be traded to another club, despite pledges by Milwaukee officials to do whatever they could to make him feel at home.
Chen expressed concern that Yi would have trouble getting playing time with the Bucks, whose squad boasts Australian 7-footer Andrew Bogut and a number of other tall young players.
"The national team and the Olympic Games are now our key considerations ... If [Yi] goes to a team where he can't compete, that would be being irresponsible to the national team," Chen said.
I know we all feel good about Joe Smith, but man Pax should make it happen. The Bucks have no trade leverage, and Noah+Duhon+a future pick would surely net us a big Chinaman.
Posted by: madisonsmadhouse Jul 17 2007, 11:03 AM
This is really going to hurt the draft status of future Chinese players who want to come over to the US and play in the NBA. If teams feel like they could potentially lose their top pick, they will stop drafting those players. This is a stupid move by the Chinese government.
Posted by: steve9347 Jul 17 2007, 11:10 AM
Actually, I'd argue that the stupid move was the Bucks taking him even though they were warned well in advance that he wouldn't be playing for them.
It is perfectly within Yi's and the Chinese government's power to hold out and refuse to play for certain teams. The Bucks said "to hell with it" and took him anyway, and as was clearly visible by David Stern's disappointed look when he saw the Bucks took him... they shouldn't have.
The Bucks could have saved themselves some problems (all they did was expose their franchise as second-fiddle), and I don't see how the Bulls could possibly not make a phone call offering up Noah, Duhon, and a future pick for Yi... this would further our inside scoring presence with Yi working as the 6th/7th man/2nd best low post scorer on a team still in dire need even with the signing of Joe Smith... in as many positions as he's comfortable in (I could see Yi with time at C, PF, SF, hell even SG with that range (though that would never happen, itd be hilarious to see a 7 footer playing SG!)
Posted by: madisonsmadhouse Jul 17 2007, 11:21 AM
Sure its within their rights, but it does hurt the future players, because if teams think that the player might not come to them, their draft status will fall. In the NBA, you cannot afford that kind of risk in the draft, when you only have a 15 man roster, and basically no minor league system. Ask Orlando about taking draft risks... Plus the NBA does not want that kind of a presidence put forth. A system like the MLB where players aren't drafted because of their demands would kill certian franchises in the NBA, and Stern has been really smart about not turning the NBA into "have's" and "have not's". Parody has kept lots of these teams afloat.
Posted by: Chisoxfn Jul 17 2007, 11:23 AM
The Bucks knew what was coming and they took there chances when they drafted him. I'm surprised the government took this long before stepping in and basically saying they won't let him go. This gives the Bulls additional leverage if they do in fact like Yi more than Noah.
However, I wonder what the Bulls think of the way Yi's camp has handled the situation (not that this really says anything about Yi's character because he really doesn't have a choice) and whether they would come in and take advantage of this type of situation.
Posted by: Balta1701-B Jul 17 2007, 12:09 PM
So what are the specific rules if Yi refuses to play? How long do the Bucks have the rights to him, and does he go back to the draft next year if they're unable to sign him? How does this compare with the players that teams like the Spurs will draft and leave in Europe for a couple seasons to develop?
Posted by: ZoomSlowik Jul 17 2007, 12:13 PM
He'd be a hell of a prospect to add, but the wording in the release would worry me a bit. The Chinese government claims that the issue is playing time and development. While it's HIGHLY possible that's just their excuse for getting him out of there, that situation wouldn't improve much on the Bulls with Wallace entrenched at C, Tyrus developing, and Smith and Noc eating up a lot of the remaining post minutes. I could definitely see Skiles pulling a Larry Brown and sticking him on the end of the bench to rot for a year or two. I know they liked Chicago, but if they're really worried about that and not just using it as an excuse that'll likely be a problem.
However, I'd send Noah and filler off for him in a heartbeat, he's a potential difference maker and with Smith on board immediate production isn't as big an issue (Yi can score more than Noah, but Noah does provide the energy/defense/rebounding off the bench).
Posted by: Wanne Jul 17 2007, 12:26 PM
Toni Kukoc did pretty well there. That's why I'd like to have a guy like Yi who handles the ball pretty well for a guy his size. Toni was a matchup nightmare back in the days when he played out top.
Posted by: Bullseye Jul 17 2007, 12:27 PM
I'd do Noah, filler, and pick for Yi any day of the week.
Posted by: danman31 Jul 17 2007, 01:49 PM
No one is talking about what a b**ch move this is on the part of Yi. He should be banned from the NBA unless he plays for the Bucks. You don't get to pick who you get picked by and just because you have a club team in China that can hold you out you shouldn't be able to pick which team you play for. Not to say it hasn't been done before in sports, but the Bucks should wait him out. He wants to play in the NBA so he shouldn't be complaining which team.
Posted by: Chisoxfn Jul 17 2007, 02:00 PM
I didn't think it was the club team, rather the country can prevent him. Basically he does what the country says (it was a similar situation with Yao). I really don't think what Yi wants matters, but if it did, than I would have a serious problem with him.
Posted by: rangercal Jul 17 2007, 02:10 PM
Let me say, I am a HUGE fan of Yi's game. However, I think Yi is a piece of spiff. wah! wah! wah! I don't want to play for the bucks!
Cry me a freaking river YI! I wish stern would put his foot down, give milwaukee a future sandwich pick and never let Yi step foot on a NBA court. Stern is too busy slobbing international knobs , so that will never happen. Players like Steve Francis and Yi should have no say where they play. Playing in the NBA is a privilege, not a right. If Yi doesn't like it he can make bootleg nike shoes at a manufacturing plant in Beijing as his career choice. Maybe then, he will realize there are worse options than playing professional ball for the Milwaukee Bucks.
I don't want to hear that it's not even his decision, because it IS his decision where he plays. Yi needs to grow some balls and stand up to the Chinese government.
Posted by: DrunkBomber Jul 17 2007, 02:45 PM
This to me is ridiculous. I dont really care where these guys are from, if a team drafts you, you shouldnt be allowed to pick and choose where you go. To me it makes it worse because of the reason theyre giving.
Posted by: Balta1701-B Jul 17 2007, 04:07 PM
Dude, they will simply cut them off.
Posted by: dasox24 Jul 17 2007, 05:33 PM
I really don't care for Yi. I just get this feeling he's not gonna be what everyone thinks he will. However, it's just my gut vs. most of yalls, so who knows... What I do know is that I want no part of the Chinese Gov't. and don't want to have to deal with their bullshit. i.e. If he were traded to Chicago and then become unhappy or not play enough and want to be traded again. What's from stopping them from not letting him play for us if they don't like his situation here? Nothing. As much as I didn't want Noah before the draft, he's growing on me. I'd rather us sit tight with Joakim and see how things play out this year.
Posted by: madisonsmadhouse Jul 17 2007, 05:34 PM
Good post.
Posted by: Chicago Bulls Franchise Jul 17 2007, 05:53 PM
China basically decides what Yi does, since there sort of a communist country, Yi doesn't have much of a choice if any. I think its a moronic thing to do if you the Chinease government. There always worried about there Olympic games so why not let Yi develop his game at a new level in the NBA so it will help them in the long run? I hope David Stern gets to the bottom of this and things can be resolved quickly.
Posted by: rangercal Jul 17 2007, 06:36 PM
from another board lol
Posted by: DrunkBomber Jul 17 2007, 06:58 PM
You guys also have to realize were dealing with a country that has plans to shoot rockets into the sky to getrid of rain clouds during the Olympics. It doesnt appear things can be explained to them logically.
Posted by: SleepyWhiteSox Jul 17 2007, 07:49 PM
I agree. milwaukee is a parody of a franchise.
Posted by: sport1016 Jul 17 2007, 11:21 PM
just to clarify for people, the way the rights work versus players who are stashed in europe is this:
If a player is drafted, the nba team owns his rights period. IF the player does not come to the nba team, but plays on any other organized team (like all those guys who stay in the euro leagues) their rights are retained. If, after being drafted, a player plays on no organized team for a year he can re-enter the draft.
Just to further clarify, Yi playing for the chinese national team doesnt count. But if he wanted to re enter the draft he couldnt rejoin the guandong tigers or whoever he played for.
And I agree with everyone who said that if you enter the draft you are eligible to play for ANY team with a draft pick. If a player and his agent try to steer him to a particular destination or destinations where they think he will be successful there is nothing wrong with that. That's part of their job. But if that doesnt work out, tough poop.
Posted by: AtHomeBoy_2000 Jul 18 2007, 04:54 PM
agreed. Pax, make the call
Posted by: SoxFan1 Jul 18 2007, 06:33 PM
As long as the pick wasn't a 1st rounder.
Posted by: madisonsmadhouse Jul 31 2007, 06:46 AM
This is an interesting update on this story that I came upon by accident... This is actually a Chinese publication, but it gives their side of the story, for whatever that is worth.
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90779/90870/6227995.html
GUANGZHOU: The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) will intervene in the stalemate between Guangdong star Yi Jianlian and NBA outfit the Milwaukee Bucks after the franchise's general manager snubbed Yi's camp, CBA chief Li Yuanwei has confirmed.
Bucks General Manager Larry Harris exacerbated the dispute by failing to appear at the Stankovic Cup currently being contested in Guangzhou to personally negotiate the deal.
"I will go to the United States in the coming days to help Yi solve the problem," CBA director Li said.
"I will have a talk with Yi at the Stankovic Cup to see what he thinks.
"The Bucks side didn't send their officials to China this time as they promised, so I will take some time to get this resolved."
Li's announcement came after his counterpart David Stern, the NBA commissioner who's currently besieged by a betting scandal surrounding a referee, announced a possible intervention.
Yi was the sixth player chosen in the 2007 draft, but his management has baulked at the 2.12m power forward's assignment to Milwaukee because of the city's limited fan base, particularly its dearth of ethnic Chinese fans.
A deadlock endures a month after the draft as the Bucks keep their cards close, saying little other than expressing hope Yi will sign.
The mood in the Lake Michigan city is that the Bucks have the upper hand in the dispute.
"Yi isn't going back to China to waste a year he could be using in the NBA to prepare for the 2008 Beijing Olympics," the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel opined.
Media from both sides believe Yi's boss Chen Haitao, chief of the Guangdong Tigers, is the main barrier between his charge and the franchise, and that agent Dan Fegan is the one pushing for a trade before his client has even set foot on the court.
Chen, who is thought to be worried about the amount of court time Yi can expect in Milwaukee, denied responsibility.
He complained to Sohu.com that the Bucks had not contacted him.
"Their owner knows the cell phone numbers of the whole Team of Yi, but they have not called us, so I just don't understand what it means; even more so, I have no way of judging what they want to do in the case," he said.
Harris's broken promise to visit China has prompted a rush of complaints from Chinese fans.
"Obviously, he is a liar, he didn't honor his commitment," Liu Yijun, a 23-year-old basketball fan, told the China Daily at the Tianhe Gymnasium, venue of the Stankovic Cup.
"I think it's time for him to show some sincerity, rather than sitting on a chair and reading the translation of Chinese newspapers."
However, a number of big names have urged Yi to end the turmoil and suit up for the Bucks, among them former International Basketball Federation President Carl Men Ky Ching.
"Yi should sign with the team which really wants him," he reasoned.
"His camp should not think too much about money and market.
"Why did Yao Ming make such a tremendous impact with the Houston Rockets? Because the team takes him seriously - that's the No. 1 thing in the NBA."
If Yi decides the Bucks aren't for him, he will be forced to sit out the entire 2007-08 season before joining next year's draft, unless of course he can secure a trade.
Sitting out is an unlikely option considering the importance of preparing well for the national team's Olympic quest in 2008.
Given the Bucks won 28 and lost 54 matches last year, earning minutes should not be a problem for a player of Yi's caliber.
The team in fact has a glaring hole at power forward: incumbent Charlie Villenueva, who is recovering from a serious injury, is more comfortable at small forward.
Yi averaged 24.9 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.8 block shots a game last season for the Guangdong Southern Tigers, where he helped the team win three China Basketball Association (CBA) championships in five years.
He is now playing with the national team at the Stankovic Cup in Macao.
Source: China Daily
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