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Year of the Yi
Posted by: warrenweelim on Aug 28, 2007 - 02:14 AM
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The thought makes perfect sense. From the marketing standpoint, it is even better. Yi Jianlian was drafted by Milwaukee 6th over-all in the 2007 NBA draft. While everyone is already celebrating their picks in this year's very deep class, Milwaukee seems to be joining Cleveland, Denver and Indiana as teams that had no picks. Yi's case is different. While it may be obligatory that he plays for the team that drafted him, the Bucks may have no choice but to concede the fight. The harder they struggle, the tougher it gets. Yi is like a quicksand.
There are 2 sides to every story - side A talks about Yi not wanting to play for a small-Asian-populated state. Living in Wisconsin brings about too many complications for this new-age Chinese star that his agents would prefer it if he landed in a better state. Side B is more like the truth. It still uses the illusion that Yi prefers a bigger destination to take off his career but its really about the money. Milwaukee simply cannot supply the Billions of Chinese fans the excitement of Yi's game. Whereas, LA can. In fact, LA is perfect.
The initial report was that the Lakers were offering Evans, Kwame and Farmar for Yi and Bobby Simmons. The chances of this deal pushing through look fair to possible but the Bucks would have to think long and hard on this one. They should atleast take back a prospect in return for Yi and Simmons is simply a salary dump. The Bucks should atleast demand Gazduric is taken as well. In assessing the possibilities and financial implications, LA can actually accommodate this deal - send Kwame, Evans and Crittenton instead of Farmar... then cater for Gadzuric's contract by sending out Sasha and Cook as cap relief. Cook runs for 3 years only with the 3rd year as player option.
LA can also seek other teams to send Simmons away - the Clippers being the most logical destination. Before his season-long injury, Simmons had a breakout season with the Clippers. Now with Brand out, someone like Simmons to pair up with Maggette might do the trick. All we need are some expiring contracts to alleviate the payroll and some picks to balance the deal. The Simmons factor can be a separate deal too but it would be better for us financially if we dealt him immediately. The Clippers would be more than willing to send Cassell and Aaron Williams + 08 1st (top 10 protected) for Simmons.
As for the Bucks, parting with Yi comes with an incentive - salary relief for non-starters and the chance to move back Charlie Villanueva to SF. Evans is more like a Simmons-type of player for a fraction of the price to back up for Michael Redd. They effectively replace Gazduric with Kwame less the baggage and altogether a better player defensively to pair up with Bogut for a tough defensive frontline.
Yi is probably Buss's marketing wet dream too. But he is more than just money, he is the real deal - and these are not just the rumor-mongerers talking. Why pay 20M for an oft-injured star when we can grow our own? Lastly, LA will be significant once more. We will have 2 19-yr old 7'0 nukes to insure our future and to be a real team - Kobe or no Kobe. Of course, Kobe will realize that the Lakers are still his team and that legacy part is a far greater concern for him than suckling to his emotions at the moment.
Watch out Laker fan, a trade is coming.
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| Year of the Yi | Log-in or register a new user account | 3 Reviews/Comments |
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| Reviews and Comments are opinion statements made by the author.
They do not necessarily represent the opinions of the site editor. |
Re: Year of the Yi
by samustudio on Aug 28, 2007 - 10:20 PM
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first time on the top page?
you should really do this more often War,
then you jamfan and Popp can be our destinated editor here.
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Re: Year of the Yi
by NickatNite on Aug 29, 2007 - 12:22 PM
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Yi has just been signed
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2995836
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