Yi Jianlin: Over Two Billion Served
The Chinese phenom brings NBA-game, international masses.
One year ago, 6-10 Chinese power forward Yi Jianlin flirted with seeking permission to declare for the NBA Draft after averaging 20.5 ppg on 57 percent shooting, grabbing 9.6 rpg and leading his Guangdong Tigers to their third straight Chinese Basketball Association title.
Instead, he returned for one more year in China. It didn’t go quite as planned.
Yi’s own game improved and he gained confidence starring for the Yao-less Chinese National Team as they won a Gold Medal in the Asian Games. But Guangdong lost in the CBA Finals, in part because Yi was outplayed by Wang Zhizhi, China’s first but not best NBA player. Still, that hardly dimmed Yi’s luster in the eyes of NBA scouts or made him reconsider.
Yi’s game grew and his NBA stock rose all year. In China, he became a truly public figure and the focus of a major Nike ad campaign. Even non-hoops fans know his name and constantly rush him for autographs. At the CBA Finals, the pack of NBA scouts following him had to hold a news conference for the mass of Chinese press to tell them they couldn’t say anything.
The level of interest doesn’t figure to decrease anytime soon. After dominating the CBA for a few years, Yi will likely need some time to adapt to
the faster pace and far greater athleticism of the NBA.
He’s a bit of a tweener—not quite big enough to rule the paint and not quite quick enough to run with 3s. But with some work, he’ll be a tweener in the good sense, doing it all.
His favorite player is Michael Jordan, but since he arrived in the US in April, Yi has been working with trainers and coaches to bulk up and gain post moves and confidence. In the right system and given some time, however, Yi—coming to a Lottery team near you—can blossom into a legit NBA big man and a strong inside-out presence. And when this happens, Yi will please the two billion eyes watching him from afar, cheering his every move.
—Alan Paul
This story appears in SLAM 110
17 Responses to “Yi Jianlin: Over Two Billion Served”
Jun.26 at 12:32 pm
K22C says:
1st
Jun.26 at 12:40 pm
Reggie Evans says:
maybe the PISTONS can get Yi
Jun.26 at 12:50 pm
sk says:
and “darko” him …lmao
Jun.26 at 1:24 pm
Chukaz says:
I hope that he drops enough for the Lakers to get him.
Jun.26 at 1:58 pm
niQ says:
can’t wait to see what dude’s got
Jun.26 at 3:18 pm
Detroit11 says:
I don’t know Reggie, looks like another Darko. Thanks, but no thanks…..
Jun.27 at 5:25 am
Chinese Dan says:
dont know why people are still hating on darko…hes improving and hes still only 22…everyone brings up the fact that he was a bust but they need to give the kid more time…hopefully people will let Yi develop for a couple of years before labelling him as a disappointment.
Jun.27 at 12:21 pm
alan p says:
I watched Yi play a bunch this year in person and on TV and I still can’t figure out how he’s going to do in the L. So much depends on circumstances.
Jun.28 at 11:14 pm
vincent says:
i think he wont be another darko… he is better than darko… i think…
Jul.10 at 6:18 pm
cant says:
spell Yi Jianli*A*n
Jul.11 at 10:37 pm
sam says:
do not put him in a 2 high pisition, or he will drop hardly…
Jul.12 at 4:34 am
james arnold b. says:
yeah???. . .can’t wait for the season dude. . .can’t wait you Yi. . . darko or dirk? . . .choose now . . .
Jul.12 at 3:34 pm
Mark Shehady says:
I think Yi is the next Yau.
Jul.14 at 1:21 am
Big China says:
mann y u been hating on Darko he is not a bust by the way the kid is improving if u cant notice oh and Yi will never be like Yao just letting u no. Yao has already established himself as a best center in the NBA even better than Shaq when he was in his prime
Jul.17 at 4:20 pm
Bucksfan78 says:
Big China, what have you been smoking? Yao better than Shaq? I think you should look at some stats. Everyone is also saying that Yi is going to be better than Yao. If he bulks up and can improve his low post game he could be pretty darn good.
Jul.17 at 10:34 pm
ST. IveS says:
I hope Hoston to get Yi!XD
Oct.26 at 8:34 pm
Zrbk says:
Good thing he’s home now.
(I bet he might kick Yao’s A** vey soon)