Official Milwaukee Bucks Thread

Which he would of got anyway if he did what every other player in the draft did and accepted who drafted him.

So mundane.

Why is it mundane? It's the truth. The rookie scale is fixed, there is no negotiating. Either you sign and get that deal or you don't sign and go play in another league.

I'd take a mundane and routine signing for my teams lottery pick than what Yi and his handlers put the Bucks through. I don't think there is a single Buck fan on the planet that actually liked what Yi did.

yeah if Lebron had his way, Cleveland would be worse off than the Raiders with jaMarcus Russell right now.

yeah if Lebron had his way, Cleveland would be worse off than the Raiders with jaMarcus Russell right now.

Huh? LeBron is from Ohio and was thrilled to be able to play at home.

thats the only reason why they're even talking to Yi.

With Yi, it has more to do with upside and skill that has got him to the NBA. All the marketing stuff coems after he's joined.

we're not sure if Yi has control to where he wants to be in

There's a reason why he wasn't allowed to say anything about the bucks after he got drafted. Not because he didn't want to play with them (it could be but I doubt it). If he didn't, he would have asked for a trade straight up. It was his handlers and the Chinese Government who dictated and orchastrated this rubbish. Unfortuantely, people still don't understand the issue.

I wonder if Bogut, Charlie V, Yi could be together on a potential lineup that works for the Bucks. That would be a monstrous frontcourt, although I'm not sure if Yi's quick enough to guard 3s.

Thats the reason I'm excited about yi joining the Bucks. Yi can play the 3 on offence. On defence, I don't know but perhaps with a few seasons of playing, he will be able to do a good enough job of doing so. He's not a 'lock down' defender but he has the quickness to keep up with 3 men of the NBA IMO. I think he can be competent enough. If the opportunity persists, I'm sure the Bucks will try a Bogut - Charlie V - Yi front line.

all of this commotion that he's causing won't even be worth the trouble and him and Chinese basketball will have taken an even bigger hit.

you can not dictate where you go if you enter the draft.

It's plain and simple, what Yi and his people did was wrong, seflish and childish - and it didn't get him anywhere.

I don't think there is a single Buck fan on the planet that actually liked what Yi did.

I still don't undertsand how you can not undertsand what is happening. It wasn't Yi. It was those representing him. Those who are telling him what to do. Yi, as the product of a Communist nation, has no leverage whatsoever. It was in his best interests to obey what his country had instructed him to do.

Yes, what happened was a disgrace to those in charge of Yi's affairs. It shouldn't happen but it does. It's unfortuante that politics can be mixed into sport and that's why David Stern and his people in NY didn't do anything to intervene as you can't force players to sign a contract. Also, they didn't want to contribute to the worsening of the already strained Chinese-US relationship.

Like it or not, what about if I told you to 'why not blame the Bucks management.' They knew what they were in for. They had all the signs that Yi's people didn't want him being drafted there.

If you think blaming the Bucks for picking him and going through all of this is stupid, then you saying it was Yi choosing where to play and demanding playing time is exactly the same.

It's not hard to wrap your head around it.

I get what your saying here sit, but for me it still doesnt matter, whether this was Yi was himself involved is rather unimportant. If you're saying that this is all his handlers and the country of chinas responsibility, then I am appalled that we cowtowed to what can basically called their "demands" on how their player should be handled once he enters our borders to play basketball. There is no justificatation, there is no argument here. Its flat out wrong.

Again, I reiterate, this sets a horrible precedent. Bucks fans are happy as pigs in shit because they got their player, but step back and look at the larger, much less rosy, picture. China will expect this from now on for any player that wants (or is forced to) enter the NBA draft.

I will continue to place blame on the bucks management because, like you said, they knew what they doing and went on and did it anyway. I liken it to a person who buys a new Ford, knowing that it has bad brakes from the start, but continues to drive it and gets into an accident. Yes, Ford makes shitty cars, but wouldnt you say the driver is pretty stupid too? And while they've (the NBA and the Chinese) jerry-rigged this situation for now, i see many complications coming down the pike from this. And god forbid this guy be a lemon.

Sit, how do you know that Yi was completely innocent and actually would love to play in Milwaukee? From what I've read, theres no reason to think that.

I don't see how it goes from Yi and his people refusing to play for Milwaukee to Yi would love to play in Milwuakee but his handlers wanted him somewhere else, so quick?

Anyway, wether Yi was involved or not, it was childish and stupid. Why did they want him somewhere other than Milwaukee? Not enough playing time because there are too many "tall guys"? Let me name them - Andrew Bogut, Dan Gadzuric, Jake Voskhul, Charlie Villanueva and Damir Markota. At the time, Voskhul wasn't there. If Yi's people think that Yi's playing time will be hampered by having the likes of Markota and Gadzuric on the team, then I guess Yi is second round material.

How about not enough Asians in Milwaukee, meaning a smaller market to make money off? Well, deal with it. LeBron is doing fine in Cleveland. Carmelo Anthony is doing fine in Denver. I'm sure Pau Gasol makes millions from Spanish endorsements while he plays in Memphis of all places.

Or what about the girlfriend excuse? That's so funny I might put it in my signature.

“Of course, definitely, CBA (Chinese Basketball Association) and Yi’s agents would prefer that he play in cities with large Chinese population. It will benefit both CBA and Yi; it will help promotion. And it will guarantee him better restaurants and perhaps better looking Chinese girlfriend.”

As for blaming the Bucks, what exactly did they do wrong? They can select anyone they want in the draft, and they did so. It was Yi and his people that bent the rules and refused to play there, to no avail. That's like blaming the Celtics for drafting Len Bias - they didn't do anything wrong, Len did, and unfortunetly he lost his life because of it. Even though Bucks management knew Yi's handlers were going to throw a hissyfit over it, they went by the rules and selected who they wanted - as did every other team. Once again, it was Yi and his people that were in the wrong, so I don't see how you can blame the Bucks.

You can't blame the Bucks.

The only valid argument I believe in, is really the CHinese government thing. If the matter of "disownership" if Yi renounced his intentions to play somewhere else, was really going to happen, I can't say it was entirely his and his handlers' faults. But the marketing stuff and development issues are bullshit.

“Of course, definitely, CBA (Chinese Basketball Association) and Yi’s agents would prefer that he play in cities with large Chinese population. It will benefit both CBA and Yi; it will help promotion. And it will guarantee him better restaurants and perhaps better looking Chinese girlfriend.”

Oh God

Bell's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said Thursday that Bell is seriously considering offers from several European teams and one unnamed National Basketball Association team.

Damn i hope we sign him, he is a big part of our team.

Well seeing he was buying a house in Milwaukee this summer I seriously doubt that Bell is heading anywhere. My bet is he will take the one year option availible and play for a bigger contract next season. Why would he head back to Europe where he could get a decent deal from the Bucks this off season or next? Bartelstein is just trying to get the Bucks to react and offer more money. I'm just worried that the Cavs or Lakers don't offer a bunch to get him, as he would be a great pickup for both teams.

I get what your saying here sit, but for me it still doesnt matter, whether this was Yi was himself involved is rather unimportant. If you're saying that this is all his handlers and the country of chinas responsibility, then I am appalled that we cowtowed to what can basically called their "demands" on how their player should be handled once he enters our borders to play basketball. There is no justificatation, there is no argument here. Its flat out wrong.

It is important as some people are insistent on blaming Yi for causing this 'fuss.' Theres two sides to the story. For the side you are thinknig of, yes, I am equally appaled with what demands the handlers made the Bucks go through with. The side of the story I'm writing about relates to how Yi had no say whatsoever. And that means that it isn't his fault with what went down to bring him over to the NBA.

Again, I reiterate, this sets a horrible precedent. Bucks fans are happy as pigs in shit because they got their player, but step back and look at the larger, much less rosy, picture. China will expect this from now on for any player that wants (or is forced to) enter the NBA draft.

Yes, I agree with you wholeheartedly. It sets a very very poor precendent as the Chinese will feel they can get away with something like this again in the future... the NBA can't do anything about it... a ban on Chinese players could get the league sued for racism. Not to mention the diplomatic relationship between China and the US would be furthermore strained - a reason why D Stern didn't say anything about Yi.

I will continue to place blame on the bucks management because, like you said, they knew what they doing and went on and did it anyway.

I sort of say if they are to bitch about it, they should blame themselves for getting themselves into this mess... however, they seem happy with what they have done.

Sit, how do you know that Yi was completely innocent and actually would love to play in Milwaukee? From what I've read, theres no reason to think that.

I don't see how it goes from Yi and his people refusing to play for Milwaukee to Yi would love to play in Milwuakee but his handlers wanted him somewhere else, so quick?

If Yi didn't want to play for the Bucks, they would have just used that excuse rather than the one they had been using before the Draft was undertaken. I truly believe that Yi the individual is happy to be in the NBA, as he has stated. However, his words are effectively censored by the Chinese government and you could say that he was on a 'gag' order from his people ordering not to say anything.

Maybe I'm looking too much into this. I don't think he is as guilty as you insist he is. There is a lot of reason for Yi to be innocent. Don't forget, it wasn't him part of negotiations. It was the CBA and Chinese officials making demands with Yi as the subject.

Anyway, wether Yi was involved or not, it was childish and stupid. Why did they want him somewhere other than Milwaukee? Not enough playing time because there are too many "tall guys"? Let me name them - Andrew Bogut, Dan Gadzuric, Jake Voskhul, Charlie Villanueva and Damir Markota. At the time, Voskhul wasn't there. If Yi's people think that Yi's playing time will be hampered by having the likes of Markota and Gadzuric on the team, then I guess Yi is second round material.

How about not enough Asians in Milwaukee, meaning a smaller market to make money off? Well, deal with it. LeBron is doing fine in Cleveland. Carmelo Anthony is doing fine in Denver. I'm sure Pau Gasol makes millions from Spanish endorsements while he plays in Memphis of all places.

Whether you wanna believe it or not, I've already been through this before here in the thread and also here:

what happened was a disgrace to those in charge of Yi's affairs

If you wanna hear it again, those issues they brought up were poor excuses and it was clear that they wanted Yi to have as much exposure as possible. It wasn't the right way to go about business and it was a disgrace. I never said I supported them so don't try and twist my words/ideas into something it isn't.

Or what about the girlfriend excuse? That's so funny I might put it in my signature.

As I said before, a lame ass excuse from his handlers.

EDIT: Did some research, Ma Jian was a former basketball player. I'm not sure if he's actually part of that Yi group. And also, it seems like a very very stupid excuse which I dont think Yi's handlers would have put out to the Bucks. The words could have been taken out of context or couldhave been a joke but written as if it were serious. Nonetheless, it is still a ridiculous response.

As for blaming the Bucks, what exactly did they do wrong? They can select anyone they want in the draft, and they did so. It was Yi and his people that bent the rules and refused to play there, to no avail. That's like blaming the Celtics for drafting Len Bias - they didn't do anything wrong, Len did, and unfortunetly he lost his life because of it. Even though Bucks management knew Yi's handlers were going to throw a hissyfit over it, they went by the rules and selected who they wanted - as did every other team. Once again, it was Yi and his people that were in the wrong, so I don't see how you can blame the Bucks.

The possibility of a contract holdout and ensuing drama was higly predictable with the signs they were getting from Yi's people. Harris' father works as a coach for the Chinese national team and told his son to draft Yi... that's why they drafted Yi. Yes, according to the rules, the Bucks can choose who they want. But they knew what was going to happen so they were asking for it.

So should you blame the Bucks? Not for everything except for getting them in the mess. Should I really blame them? Not really because it's silly. And that's my point... why is everyone getting or crazy about Yi when it was mostly on the part of his handlers who caused all the comotion. The kid didn't even get a say. He never said if he wanted or didnt want to play there.

So to use your words: Bucks management knew what they were getting themselves into, Yi didn't have a say in anything and had to obey to his Government, the Bucks went by the rules to draft Yi, Yi didn't say anything as instructed, and both sides let the handlers have their way and they started long negotiations. It wasn't Yi nor the Bucks, it was Yi's handlers. I can't see how you can insist on implying it was 'Yi who put the team through so much shit.'

The only valid argument I believe in, is really the CHinese government thing. If the matter of "disownership" if Yi renounced his intentions to play somewhere else, was really going to happen, I can't say it was entirely his and his handlers' faults. But the marketing stuff and development issues are bullshit.

Finally someone who understands.

Yep, the marketing and development crap was just an attempt to make the Bucks feel that it waqs too mcuh trouble so they would trade Yi. Too bad Del Harris told Larry Harris that Yi was the real deal... and so the Bucks have gone through with all the wants of the handlers.

I don't put most of the blame on Yi. I wouldn't even put 20% of the blame on Yi. I just say "Yi" as reference to him and his people.

The Chinese government and Yi's handlers caused this mess, but I wouldn't give Yi himself a free pass on this one just yet.

I guess you're entitled to your opinion.

My stance is that Yi had absolutedly no say in any of this. If I were him, I would have shut up too. Not because I don't have the balls to, (As The X alluded to Yi in maybe this thread or another one), but because there's a lot more at risk if I were to disobey the Chinese government.

To Yi, it's a great honour to represent China, and to be adored by his fellow people. To disobey would mean being cut off from your own people and culture along with not getting top play for the nation you were taught to love.

And that is why I feel that I will give Yi a 'free pass' as you put it. He wasn't in any position to stop it.

As someone stated this Yi stuff set a poor precendent for how fututre Chinese players may be dealt with, then Wang Zhizhi is the precedent for how Yi should act and he did exactly that.

the NBA can't do anything about it... a ban on Chinese players could get the league sued for racism.

Heh. What?

Poster of the NBA Superstars vs. China National team.



Some pictures from the game vs. the Melbourne Tigers





The Tigers jerseys look pretty good actually, though its weird seeing the
Chinese characters on them cause don't really associate them with Chinese.
I think Yi scored like 20 some points in the win.

Chris Anstey would get destroyed by Yao and Yi. That'd be almost embarrassing to watch.

Don't forget Wang ZhiZhi either Funny how you got three fairly different big men on one team. Wang the shooting big man, Yi the aggresive, slashing big and Yao a finesse but nonetheless inside scoring big. Quite versatile if you ask me.

And Chris Anstey is a pansy!

And Jing, I think the Chinese characters have always been there... i cant remember.. will need to look it up. Cause they do get sponsored by a Chinese company.

And Dragon/Ben Branch is pretty pumped about the Brisbane Bullets taking on the Chinese national team too.

Could we please find different pictures of Yao and Steve to use? lol ever since those pictures were taken they've shown up on everything.

And thats horrible photoshopping!

Source: Yi Guaranteed At Least 20 Minutes Per Game

Good news for Yi and the Chinese national team (and the Bucks I guess since he finally signed), but I can't help but wonder if a precedent has been set. Does this mean rookies and/or their representatives can now try and negotiate playing time before they enter the league, or that other foreign basketball programs can step in an insist on players getting a certain amount of time owing to the need to develop players for the national squad?

And if not, why not? Again, I understand the reasons behind Chinese officials and Yi's camp wanting him to get significant PT but it's still giving him special treatment that is unlikely to be granted to anyone else, which is pretty shabby in my opinion. That said, even if other players are able to do the same thing citing Yi's situation as a precedent, I don't much care for it.

I wouldn't take it too seriously as it is Ric Bucher reporting. I mean, the following said no PT has been agreed upon: Herb Kohl, Larry Harris, Larry K, Dan Fegan and CBA rep Chen. All publicly made statements, so I'm trusting their word over Bucher's apparent insider info.

Plus, what is even more frustrating about this article is the lack of relevance it holds. If Yi can't get himself 20 minutes a game on the current Bucks squad then he will be a bust. Only CV is ahead of him on the depth chart. If he can't beat Gadzuric, Markota or Voskul for minutes at the 4, or we are forced to play Simmons, Mason or Storey there because he isn't up to the task then he obviously isn't much of a player. His main competition is CV who is recovering from major shoulder surgery. Gadzuric needs to be backing up Bogut. Voskul is purely a 3rd string player and a practice body. Simmons is recovering from a major injury and hasn't played for a season. Mason is very undersized and new to the squad. Storey is undersized, insane and barely an NBA calibre player. And finally Markota has just come out saying how it is the Bucks fault he has not developed as he has not been given enough playing time and as a result that justifies him being able to go out and get drunk 3 nights a week. So besides CV, if Yi can't get back-up minutes at the 4 as well as spot minutes at the 5 and 3 then he is a wasted draft pick.

I can't help but wonder if a precedent has been set. Does this mean rookies and/or their representatives can now try and negotiate playing time before they enter the league, or that other foreign basketball programs can step in an insist on players getting a certain amount of time owing to the need to develop players for the national squad?

I think that this will be only an isolated issue. It probably depends on the team if it were to happen again. If the Bucks hadn't been so insistent on wanting to sgin Yi, this wouldn't have happened. they could have just traded him.

So for future, if any players/agents are like this, they will make the arguement with this as a basis for the arguement. However, I'm expecting most teams not to be as tolerant. However, if you think about it, negotiations on offering playing time, starting spot, oppotrunity to play would have to be part of contract negotiations. So this sorta branches out.

It's up to the team to say no if people make demands like these.

I hope that's average 20 minutes per game, and not 20 minutes every game.

Wow, just... wow.

This is the biggest mistake in the history of negotiations. I honestly see no good from this at all. And if they bargained for this I've lost all respect for Yi's camp, and the Nba for actually going along with it. If I'm Charlie V. I demand a trade. What to stop them from demanding more playing for next year? Or the year after?

I thought the NBA was done whore-ing itself, but apparently I was wrong.

once his contract is up he's out of there.