Truth About It on Yi Jianlian's drop step

Kyle is a little excited about Yi, because Yi's been able to execute drop step moves in the post and because he boxes out. His argument is that Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee don't do that. He even floats the "Sixth Man of the Year" line.

I'm happy that Yi is making power moves, but we have to consider the competition. This almost makes it sound like Dray and JaVale are incapable of doing a drop step, which isn't exactly true - the real issue is that defenders in the NBA are stronger than in FIBA, and those two haven't yet put on enough strength to consistently execute the move. In other words, Yi needs to prove he can make power moves against NBA players before I get as excited as Kyle.

Here's hoping that happens.

over 1 year ago Mike Prada 7 comments 0 recs |

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It's hard to get my hopes up about Yi

Physically, on paper, and in workouts, he seems totally deserving of being the 6th pick in the draft. He just never seems to get it together. I’m really hoping he breaks out this year, but I’m going to be very cautiously optimistic about him.

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by pantslessyoda1 on Sep 1, 2010 11:36 AM EDT reply actions

Help me remember

all the previous pre-season Wizards Sixth Man of the Year candidates:

- Nick Young last year
- Wasn’t Juan Dixon touted one year?
- How about Caron Butler in his first year as a Wizard before he became a starter?
- Randy Foye last year?
- I think there was talk about Michael Jordan in one of his Wizards years, but that wasn’t too far-fetched.

by disgrunted on Sep 1, 2010 12:10 PM EDT reply actions

Yi's role

Yi’s role in the past hasn’t been clear and his playing time has varied. As a result, his play hasn’t been consistent. Once he settled in as the PF toward the end of last season, he averaged 16 points, 10 board and 2 blocks for the last five games.

If he is given a clear role and consistent time and the coach’s confidence, he will perform well. Hopefully, he’s in the weight room and is working on D.

Simple formula. (In some cases such as Nick Young, the formula hasn’t worked).

by Izman on Sep 1, 2010 12:23 PM EDT reply actions

This is why the front office is being smart by trying to trade for players with “potential,” such as Yi, because sometimes the trade works out and the player turns out to be developing pretty well. Granted, we have yet to see if his NBA game has improved, but the signs are clearly there. I don’t have any stats in front of me, but I think it’s safe to say that most of these trades don’t pan out into a blossoming player…but then again, on occasion you trade yourself into a Jermaine O’neal, or a Darko. One more back story that will make this season interesting to watch.

by Tbonebullets on Sep 1, 2010 2:40 PM EDT reply actions

The most important thing for Yi at this point is to gain confidence

Even if it is playing against lesser competition, now is the time to perfect his moves and consistency. If Yi can get it together, hopefully this upcoming year, we would have a very intresting front court rotation with Yi, Blatche, and McGee…all 7-footers I might add!!

by TheRealBigMike on Sep 1, 2010 4:49 PM EDT reply actions

Confidence is cool, but desire is better

I want to see Yi hungry out there. He’s had a little of that in his play with the China team, but I think he has more to play for with them – after all, he’s representing his country.

by satchmore on Sep 1, 2010 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions