First impression of Yi

[jerrywest]

Quote:

---

The thing is you have to look at Yi's strengths and weakesses.

Strengths

speed

ball handling

shooting

weaknesses

strength

So why put him in a position where strength is a major issue?

I say let him and Marvin fight it out for the 3 spot and let the best man win. Maybe years from now Yi can log significant minutes in the interior but i don't see it happening now unless the other team goes small (Bosh at C, Dirk at C, Harrington at C etc.).

i think Yi can effectively guard guys like Dirk and Bosh, but any bangers with have their way with him.

---

Great post. Completely agree. There are plenty of Dirks, Boshes, Harringtons and Solomons in the NBA who Yi can log his center minutes against. Guys like Hawes and Zaza can't keep up with them.

[AHF]

Quote:

---

first of all did anyone actually watch the Zhi Zhi game?????????

This is what I have been trying to find out. Wang was a 3 point specialist, he was China's best shooter. I haven't seen the game, and I have no clue how he scored, but just because Wang scored 30 something doesnt mean he was posting Yi up. No doubt he could, and I am not saying Yi is by no means ready for 48 minutes as an NBA C, but if Wang went 8-12 from 3 then whats the point of even brining it up???

---

People are relying on the scouting reports that detailed Zhi Zhi and other CBA pushing Yi around in the post and him being unable to handle them in the low post (not on the 3pt line).

Ex's last post is a good one. On this topic.

Re Jerry West's last post, I agree that Solomon is also too weak to play major minutes at the center position. That is why he is more of a forward at this time than a center.

[jerrywest]

I'll try to check that game this weekend. Lets find out how Zhi Zhi got those points.

[Diesel]

He's not a Center. No need to even start that argument.

I suggest we play Shelden, Yi, and Smoove in a Zone with Yi and Smoove covering the wings and Shelden in the middle. It's the best fix for our defense. We play 2-3 or 2-1-2 or in even a diamond zone with smoove roaming. The defense is so darn easy having the versatility we have on the court. Even when we go more traditional and play Zaza at Center, Yi is still a Pf coming from the wing. All he has to do is stay in front of his man on defense. His height will cause problems. The double will come so there will be no time to push him below the goal. His wingspan makes it hard to pass around him so there will be fewer cutting players receiving passes as the double comes.

Yi is a dream player offensively and with his skills, he's can be a dream defensively too.

Also, I think it's a mistake to pigeon hole him as a Sf just because he's fast. His game reminds me of KG.

[BusBoyIsBack]

Quote:

---

The thing is you have to look at Yi's strengths and weakesses.

Strengths

speed

ball handling

shooting

weaknesses

strength

So why put him in a position where strength is a major issue?

---

Add length to the list of strengths of Yi.

This is why he has so much upside.

His only weaknesses are his inexperience and strength.

Guess what? Those are two things that are correctable which means the guy could basically have no weaknesses in a few years after getting accustomed to the game and the weight room.

He could be a 7'0 260 pound nightmare for opposing defenses.

[Diesel]

I don't think anyone has really determined that strength is a problem? It's been a lot of hearsay and conjecture on that.

[AHF]

Quote:

---

I don't think anyone has really determined that strength is a problem? It's been a lot of hearsay and conjecture on that.

---

From the scouting reports, it has only been mentioned as a problem when matching up with other centers in the low post in the CBA. You can probably extend that to physical PFs in the NBA but that also may be a product of his age and training regimen in China.

[exodus]

Zones are fine at times but you are going to give up offensive rebounds which hurt if you are trying to be a running team.

As far as pigeonholing that is not what i am doing. I am just saying that he looks like he would be best suited for the sf, he is just a little taller then everyone else there.

After a few years of lifting he might be able to spend some time on the interior. I think there are some 4s he can guard right now. It might be worth a shot to put him on KG even.

But i want to see his speed and quickness put to the test. I want to see him guard guys like Lebron, Melo and Gerald Wallace just to see what happens.

[Diesel]

You also have to list the dates of those reports?

[jerrywest]

Quote:

---

You also have to list the dates of those reports?

---

He looks much bigger now than he looked in the final game. Those reports are mostly judging a lighter weaker Yi.