Chinese rookie Yi Jianlian will be an all-star in the National
Basketball Association, said Milwaukee Bucks general manager Larry
Harris.
The Milwaukee newspaper Journal Sentinel said on Saturday
that Harris is glad that the Bucks were able to land the 7-foot
rookie from China in the June 2007 draft, with the sixth overall
pick.
Yi, who will face off against countryman Yao Ming and the
Houston Rockets at the Bradley Center in one week, has been in the
Bucks' starting lineup for all 44 games this season.
"I've seen progress in every part of his game," Harris said.
"I'm not so worried about him missing shots, because you know what,
they all still look like they're going in. They're all within his
rhythm and range.
"He's expanding his game. I like the fact that he's aggressive
taking it to the basket. I like the fact that he's offensive
rebounding and trying to go up there. The strength factor and
conditioning and getting used to 17 games in a month, that just
comes with experience."
When Yi was playing for the Guangdong Tigers in the Chinese
Basketball Association, he had fewer games and much more practice
time than he does in the NBA. He has admitted he is adjusting to
the rigors of the schedule and travel, yet he said he does not feel
tired.
"He's still going to be there every night to answer the bell,
and I anticipate at anytime he's going to score 14, 16, 20 points,
" Harris said. "That opportunity is there for him every time he
steps on the floor."
Yi played a season-low 13 minutes against Indiana on Thursday,
in part due to matchups because the Pacers went with a small
lineup. He had six points and four rebounds in 22 minutes as the
Bucks lost to the Toronto Raptors, 106-75, on Friday night, but
coach Larry Krystkowiak went with his reserves exclusively in the
final quarter.
"He has exceeded my expectations," Harris said. "I'd love to sit
here and tell you, 'Yeah, we saw it all.' I thought there was going
to be more of a transition, especially at the defensive end and
with the quickness and strength factors.
"I think his body will develop and that will become a non-factor
as he continues his growth. Now teams are game-planning for him;
they're sticking smaller players on him so he's not able to just
catch and shoot. I think his game could be both at small forward
and power forward, though I think his primary position is a power
forward."
Yi is certain to be selected for the Rookie Challenge game, to
be played on the Friday of all-star weekend in mid-February.
Yi finished fifth among Eastern Conference forwards in the
all-star balloting, based exclusively on write-in votes and his
immense popularity in China. While he's not all-star caliber yet,
he will get a taste of the NBA's big event with his participation
in the rookie game in New Orleans.
"I see the all-star balloting, and I see where he's at," Harris
said. "It's only a matter of time. I expect him to be an all-star
soon, and he's going to be a major factor in this league."
(Xinhua News Agency January 27, 2008)