Official Milwaukee Bucks Thread

[Fresh8]

This is great news. I called it a few months back that it would happen after the Asian Championships.

Spoiled bastard.

Bucks fans must have really mixed feelings right now. This guy drags your teams through months of absolute bullshit, shitting on everything the draft represents, only to be (probably) signed after he is assured like a baby that he will get what he wants.

Pathetic.

Don't hate on him. It was the Chinese government's fault. They are the ones who pulled this stunt. Milwaukee also knew what they were going to need to go through to get him in their jersey way before they drafted him. Milwaukee took that risk and have gone through months of drama to bring him to Milwaukee.

And before anyone says Yi is a grown man and should make decisions for himself... it's a tradition thing. especially for him who grew up in a country like China... he's learnt to obey to their rules. If Yi had stood up for himself, he would have been banished by China like Wang Zhizhi had. And his whole country would have hated him.

As for the Olympics, I can understand why China wants to do well. The Beijing Olympics is showing China to the whole world. The Chinese want to make it a spectacle and wanna do well. It's all about the country's pride... and we all know Communist nations havea lot of interest in their own national identity to show their strength to their people and the rest of the world.

It's just unfortuante one individual, Yi, is dragged into all the politics.

About Yi's Playing time

Yeah, I'm pretty happy he signed with Milwaukee as it helps his development. It seems pretty selfish, I admit, to demand playing time. but what are you going to do? Milwaukee did ask for all of this by drafting him despite given ominous warnings not to lay a hand on him. (I'm not saying China is right either)

Still, I think he can give significant production from off the bench. 20-25 mpg sounds about right anyways. He will make a quicker transisition than Yao Ming did IMO. I'm not ready to say if he will be better than Yao as they are both different players and in different situations. However, Im confident to say I think he will make a quicker impact than yao did for Houston.

And for those wondering... I think he is good. He's got good footwork, good athleticism, a good shot and range on that shot. Plus his attitude is different to that of Yao and even Dirk. He doesn't seem scared to drive in and try to show off an opponent. However, at the Summer League games, he had trouble shooting and shot pretty poorly. Whether this was all him or the fact that the Chinese National Team guards really suck at getting him the ball... we will need to see. Perhaps with guys who are competent in getting him the ball in the right places, he will play a lot more efficiently.

Bucks fans should be happy with his addition.

all i care about is did he make the cut for the nba live rosters?

As X said, that was the reason for the FIBA addition. So they could put Yi in the game. Why else did they put it in when they signed the FIBA-EA Sports licensing rights so late?

[Ty-Land]

The thing I find about the PT issue is that, if he is good enough, he will get to play. He is only really competing against CV, so if he doesn't start he will get big minutes off the bench at PF and spot minutes at C and SF.

It is in the interest of the Bucks, Yi and Chinese basketball for Yi to develop into a quality player or possibly even a star. The Bucks took a real risk taking Yi, they could have gone for a player like Brewer who will perform to some degree regardless but his star potential is much smaller. The Bucks drafted Yi because they know in this league being a small market you don't land big FA's, you don't sign superstars. The way you get a franchise changing player is through the draft, and due to his huge potential the Bucks are hoping Yi can become this star.

The Bucks have aready said they are going to bring in a specialised/assistant coach for Yi with Chinese links to smooth the transition and bridge the language barrier. As long as Yi works hard and is committed to the Bucks then everybody will be happy. Yi will get minutes, he will develop and battle it out with Yao as China's best player.

Supposedly, on a side note, Yi might not wear number 11 at all. He is apparently interested in wearing 9 which was his CBA number. Would be cool if this happens and Yi and Bogut start together. Bogut (#6) could be the yang, to Yi's (#9) ying (i.e. 6-9).

Yi will be at training camp, and will play pre-season games for the Bucks. The Chinese National team is playing an NBA in the preseason but Yi will not play for that game as training camp has started.

Further Bucks info:
- Bogut is close to returning stateside, looking to be in Milwaukee a month before training camp to work out with coaches so he can have a big season
- Bucks head coach Larry K and GM Larry Harris have said they believe Charlie Bell will sign soon and will more than likely be a buck next season
- Larry K said Greer will likely play more minutes this season off the bench
- Bucks now have 13 players under contract. If Bell and Sessions are signed then it will be a full squad. While Bell looks likely, there is no news on Sessions at present.

[Jing]

Bogut and Yi do the 69? That what you want TY? Like I noted previously, he should wear 9, but for some odd reason the Bucks want to him to wear 11.

[Ty-Land]

Bogut and Yi do the 69? That what you want TY? Like I noted previously, he should wear 9, but for some odd reason the Bucks want to him to wear 11.

Well I couldn't write '69' because of the implied sexual innuendo, but I wanted it to look like a yin-yang symbol (if thats even what they are called).

I think the reason why the Bucks gave him 11 might be a misunderstanding. Perhaps his contacts (Fegan, or Chen) told them he wanted to wear 11 so that is the Jersey they bought with them. Then Yi later decided he preferred 9. I guess either way, whatever number he wants he can have.

Also, just so you know Jing there is no way that Boykins is coming back. He used his player option, so he is a UFA. The only way boykins was going to be on the Bucks this season would have been is he didn't use that option.

[Andrew]

Interesting excerpt from an article:
(for all the Yi haters)

Harris was asked directly if Yi had been promised playing time. He skirted the question, but brought up a salient point: "There's a lot on his shoulders with his country and the Olympics and everything else."

That's something that doesn't really register with NBA fans. There's much more at stake for Yi than whether he plays 8 minutes per game or 25 minutes per game this year. To NBA fans, Yi should just be happy to have the opportunity to play in the league and has no right to complain about playing time before he even shows up for his first training camp. But equally important to Yi is his national team. There is a lot of pressure on him to develop into a top-flight player quickly, so that he can help the Chinese team in the Beijing Olympics next summer. He's not going to do that on the bench.

For American fans, it might look like Yi simply held out and pouted until he got what he wanted. But remember, in our culture, the national team is not nearly important as it is in other countries -- especially China, especially with the Beijing Games coming. Yi put his ability to contribute to his national team ahead of his NBA career, which, again, is a concept most fans here can't grasp. He's taken criticism, but it worked out for him and his national team.

The Bucks understood that, and though there is no formal agreement on playing time, Yi has all but assured himself minutes, even if he makes rookie mistakes.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=264473

Let's not get carried away and use the H-Word just because some people dislike and criticise the way the situation was handled.

It's true there are cultural differences and certain interests (namely the Chinese national team) that have proven to be stumbling books in the process of getting Yi to Milwaukee. However, no matter what the motivation or importance of those interests, in trying to secure playing time or a starting job it's asking for special treatment; there's no two ways about that.

Anyway, it's great that the matter has been resolved.

[---]

Don't hate on him. It was the Chinese government's fault. They are the ones who pulled this stunt. Milwaukee also knew what they were going to need to go through to get him in their jersey way before they drafted him. Milwaukee took that risk and have gone through months of drama to bring him to Milwaukee.

And before anyone says Yi is a grown man and should make decisions for himself... it's a tradition thing. especially for him who grew up in a country like China... he's learnt to obey to their rules. If Yi had stood up for himself, he would have been banished by China like Wang Zhizhi had. And his whole country would have hated him.

As for the Olympics, I can understand why China wants to do well. The Beijing Olympics is showing China to the whole world. The Chinese want to make it a spectacle and wanna do well. It's all about the country's pride... and we all know Communist nations havea lot of interest in their own national identity to show their strength to their people and the rest of the world.

It's just unfortuante one individual, Yi, is dragged into all the politics.

Yi isn't innocent, he was also part of this whole debacle.

And if it was just the government controlling this whole situation, they need to come up with better excuses. I would expect the people who run one of the biggest and most powerful countries in the world to come up with a better excuse than "He may not be able to find a pretty girlfriend in Milwuakee".

HE entered the draft. It was his choice and there was a risk, and he took it. He and his countries government shit on everything the draft represents, making childish demands.

I actually wanted Yi quite badly in the draft (Bulls), but now that I see all the baggage that comes with him (and please don't act like it wasn't him at all, just everyone surrounding him), I wouldn't touch him.

I'll never forget what he put the Bucks through and how much of an ass he was, but it's not like I can't forgive someone. However, I wouldn't be suprised if he acts up again this season, so I'm not a big fan right now.

[Jing]

The draft is overrated.

If anything it turned out to be a good move by Yi's team because now everyone is on his terms.

[---]

The draft is overrated.

?

[J@3]

If one more Asian player pulls any Yi-like garbage I'd be tempted to put some restrictions on their draft eligibility. All of the politics and other rubbish, just isn't worth it.

[nylia]

If one more Asian player pulls any Yi-like garbage I'd be tempted to put some restrictions on their draft eligibility. All of the politics and other rubbish, just isn't worth it.

Are you the commissioner? hehe jk

[Its_asdf]

Yi isn't innocent, he was also part of this whole debacle.

Agreed. I still think Yi is a cunt, I hope he gets booed by every court he plays in.


Fucking Chinese people!

I'm Chinese, if you didn't get the joke

[maceo24]

While I wont go as far as ^... lol I agree that responsibility falls on Yi as well.

Obligations to country aside, NO-ONE should be albe to demand or negotiate terms for their playing time before theyre darfted. You get playing time based on your performance in training camp and previous experience. Yi and/ or the Chinese government are dicks for even implying that we make provisions for this guy. Like the Chinese government was doing us a favor by gracing us with Yi's presence or something.

I dont think they realized how bad this situation could potentially be for their cause. If Yi doesnt pan out, do you honestly think any GM's will even waste their breath with talent from the China pipeline?

And if I'm Charlie Villanueva, I'm going out of my way to bust Yi's ass whenever I get the opportunity. He's the person that is really getting the shaft here. Even if Yi isnt up to snuff, theyre going to give him playing time he wont necessarily have earned.

This sets an absolutely HORRIBLE precedent.

[Sauru]

listen, when drafting chinese players you must understand that country comes before the nba. a team needs to know this before considering going with a chinese player.

[shadowgrin]

The reason why the Bucks leadership haven't been to China before now is because David Stern told them not to go. He wanted to force China/Yi's hand first. Very interesting...

My hatred for Stern is lessening.

A U.S. Senator has to intervene for China to budge. I wonder what kind of under-the-table deal was worked out.

I hope Yi gets posterized by Yao or blocked by Yao.


Who the heck is that guy on the right?

[Jing]

The reason why the Bucks leadership haven't been to China before now is because David Stern told them not to go. He wanted to force China/Yi's hand first. Very interesting...

My hatred for Stern is lessening.

A U.S. Senator has to intervene for China to budge. I wonder what kind of under-the-table deal was worked out.

I hope Yi gets posterized by Yao or blocked by Yao.


Who the heck is that guy on the right?

Well, Yao is going to China on a team of NBA all stars to play against the Chinese NT (Yao will play for the NBA team the first half and CNT the 2nd half), so you might get your wish. But truthfully, I hope he doesn't back down from a dunk, rather get postered than shy away like a fucking pussy and allow the easy 2 points (unless you are ridiculously out of position of course).

[-Young Buck-]

Who the heck is that guy on the right?

The Bucks General Manager. The one on the left is that star from those horror Leprechaun movies.

[[Q]]

isn't GM Larry Harris Del Harris's son?

[shadowgrin]

Yes he is. That's why speculation of Yi going to Dallas was rampant (or wherever Del Harris is) during draft day.

I thought Larry Harris is that guy (2nd to the last pic in Jing's post).

[Jing]

Q is right, that's Larry Harris. That 2nd dude from the bottom is Dan Fegan, Yi's American agent.

[shadowgrin]

So that guy is the bastard that also held out.

[J@3]

listen, when drafting chinese players you must understand that country comes before the nba. a team needs to know this before considering going with a chinese player.

It's not a matter of country over club though like they have in football. If it was just that Yi would choose to play on the Chinese national team over the Bucks or whatever it wouldn't be such an issue, it's all of this garbage where "the China" try to use the players for their own political/social/economic purposes. Unless another Yao comes through I wouldn't touch a Chinese player in future with a barge pole.

[Jing]

Just out of curiosity, would you make the same argument for perhaps a Australian player or something?

[Fresh8]

Yi isn't innocent, he was also part of this whole debacle.

And if it was just the government controlling this whole situation, they need to come up with better excuses. I would expect the people who run one of the biggest and most powerful countries in the world to come up with a better excuse than "He may not be able to find a pretty girlfriend in Milwuakee".

Innocent or not (It's your own opinion), you should understand why Yi couldn't have done anything more than he did. If you know about what happened to Wang Zhizhi and understood how much pressure Yi would have been under - I think you would be a bit more accepting of it all. However, I can't blame anyone for being annoyed at what went down in order for Yi to make it to Milwaukee.

Yi was brought up in a country that taught the people to love the country and to make the nation proud. It's a whole different system to what we all have in the Western world.

And to think that sports would outshine politics... there's a reason why the Bucks didn't want to push to hard to get Yi and waited for the right times to move. And there's also a reason why David Stern and the NBA didn't do anything either. They didn't want to put the NBA in the middle of a volatile relationship that the US has with China.

The demands of playing time and special development is also outrageous. But if the Bucks wanna go through with it all, then they are asking for more drama in the future.

Oh yeah, that girlfirend excuse was stupid. I guess that's when Yi's handlers figured they didn't have any other reasons left to make. I don't think it's fair for either side for what happened with Yi. Again, I emphasise how stupid and pointless the last few months of Yi-bargaining talk has been... I blame the people who manage Yi most. Not Yi himself.

HE entered the draft. It was his choice and there was a risk, and he took it. He and his countries government shit on everything the draft represents, making childish demands.

Why are there rumours of Yi being as old as in his mid 20s? It's because he's always wanted to go into the NBA Draft... for the past two drafts I believe.

Why didn't he declare? Because the Chinese Government didn't want to let him. So it's not neccesarily his choice.

And who decides if he can leave the country? And who decides on whether he can be needlessly shamed around China? It's the Chinese Government.

It was never his own choice, he had a say but the Government had the final word.

Do I think it's right? No.

But that's what you get when you are dealing with a Communist nation who have never had players good enough to market overseas and allow to play a develop overseas.

[J@3]

Just out of curiosity, would you make the same argument for perhaps a Australian player or something?

I'd be embarassed and ashamed if an Australian player acted like that.

[Jing]

We I'd be lying if I said I wasn't embarssed that this incident happened. The way not only Yi's group but China itself handled the situation was displeasing not only to the American audience, but also to the Chinese people. However the fact that the two sides have finally reached an agreement is a sign that they can finally progress forward and of course Yi will have to earn respect and playing time, even if he was "promised" minutes.

Plus, Yi isn't the image of every Chinese player, so viewing every player like him is just simply unfair. Here players are constantly holding out for contracts or not wanting to play, its probably that way in Australia too. Like JaMarcus Russell, the #1 pick in the NFL draft, he's still holding out for a proper contract and refusing to play, he'll probably be out for the entire season because they can't reach an agreement regarding how much money he should get. So is that not similar to this Yi situation, just that its a matter of location rather than money.

He's signed, they have an agreement, there is no more conflict, 20 minutes a night isn't going to take that much from Charlie V, and if he's going to be such a winer about a minute or two from his playing time then he doesn't deserve to be out there.