Yi Jianlian

Yi Jianlian (Chinese易建联, Pinyin Yi Jianlian, born October 27, 1987 in Guangdong) is a Chinese professional basketball player who played between 2007 and 2012 in the NBA. Currently, he is with Guangdong Southern Tigers in China under contract.

He is 2.13 m tall and plays in the position of power forwards. However, there is in terms of its age some inconsistencies, as was indicated in a game of Chinese National Team October 27, 1984 as date of birth, so that the presumption arose that his passport had been been tampered with so that it is longer playing in youth teams and later for the NBA Draft could log. Questions about his age no longer answered Yi now.

Career

Guangdong Southern Tigers (2002-2007)

Yi, the son of Yi Jingliu and May Meiling, who were both professional handball player, attended a sports school, which is geared to offer their students the best conditions for a career in sport. In the to move him to a promotional contract hoping invited Adidas Yi 2002 after Teaneck, New Jersey are a main part for the so-called ABCD Camp one of the All-American high school basketball player. After his return to China, he joined the Guangdong Southern Tigers at where he was Rookie of the Year. In 2003 he was named as the next Yao Ming by TIME magazine. Over the next three seasons in the CBA Yi led his team to the final of the championship. In 2006 he was also elected as the MVP of the Finals.

Milwaukee Bucks (2007-2008)

The Milwaukee Bucks decided to Yi with the sixth pick in the 2007 NBA Draft to select. His Chinese club, the Guangdong Southern Tigers, had declared that it was impossible that Yi would play for the Milwaukee Bucks, on the grounds that too many similar players were already standing by the player type forth in Milwaukee under contract and this for Yi's further development was negative. Some American commentators such as Michael Hunt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel held these reasons for advanced or factually not true. The real reason was probably the small Chinese population and the low -profile and financially less profitable situation. On August 29, Yi signed then, however, a contract for several years with the Bucks.

Yi made ​​his debut in the starting lineup of the Milwaukee Bucks in a game against the Orlando Magic in which he could achieve 9 points and 3 rebounds. In his first home game, he convinced even more thanks to 16 points and 8 rebounds. The game was the first which was broadcast in China and has been seen by more than 100 million viewers. Yao Ming praised Yi after the game by saying that Yi in his third overall NBA game was better than Yao even then in his third. On November 9, met Yi's Bucks on Yao Ming's Houston Rockets. Despite 19 points and 9 rebounds from Yi managed not to win the game the Bucks. Yao dominated the game, which was watched by over 200 million people in China, with 28 points and 10 rebounds. Yi was named Rookie of the Month of December and was chosen as part of the NBA All-Star Weekend 2008 in the Rookie Challenge. On 2 April 2008, announced that Yi would miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury.

Yi was next to Yao Ming as the great hope of the Chinese national team for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

New Jersey Nets (2008-2010)

Shortly before the 2008 NBA Draft Yi was traded along with Bobby Simmons to the New Jersey Nets. Richard Jefferson In exchange goes to the Milwaukee Bucks. Yi saw the exchange not come, but he described it an honor to be allowed to join the Nets. In his first 37 games with the Nets Yi scored 10.5 points and 6.2 rebounds for his new team, but on 9 January 2009, he broke his little finger of his right hand and had to sit for six weeks. In the election to the NBA All- Star Game 2009 Yi had the third highest number of votes among forwards in the Eastern Conference - more votes than more established players such as Paul Pierce and Chris Bosh - which led to rumors that he would be elected by the Chinese fans just because of his nationality be. After his recovery, Yi returned to the pitch back, but he was removed from the starting lineup the Nets and now had to come into play from the bench.

In the NBA 2009-2010 season, Yi was lifted back into the grid. Because of numerous minor injuries had Yi throughout the season 30 games expose. His average was 12 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

Washington Wizards (2010-2011)

On 29 June 2010 Yi was traded in exchange for Quinton Ross to the Washington Wizards. In addition, the Nets paid 3 million dollars to complete the deal can. The Wizards Yi received a one-year contract, but were rarely on the role of a reserve player also. In the course of the NBA 2010-2011 season, he completed a total of 63 games, but was only eleven times in the starting lineup. He scored an average of 5.6 points and 3.9 rebounds fetched. At the end of the season, the Wizards decided against further obligation, so that Yi was a free agent.

Guangdong Southern Tigers (2011)

Because of the lockout at the start of the 2011-12 season Yi returned to the Guangdong Southern Tigers, his Chinese club, back. He signed there a one-year contract with a release clause in the event that he receives an offer from the NBA.

Dallas Mavericks (2012 )

Shortly after the late start of the season, the Dallas Mavericks announced on January 2, 2012 announced the commitment Yi. When reigning NBA champion, he received a one-year contract. However, Yi was injured in his obligation still on his knees, so that he at first the D -League farm team of the Mavericks, the Texas Legends, should get in shape. He was then brought earlier than expected to the Mavs, but it is used only sporadically.

Guangdong Southern Tigers ( Since 2012 )

After his contract was not renewed with the Mavericks and none of the teams had shown interest in signing on Jianlian, he moved back to China at the Guangdong Southern Tigers. Through his departure date no more Chinese plays in the NBA.

Play

Yi was considered a prototype of the modern forwards, the typical, classic "Big -Man " qualities as well as guard qualities in themselves united: Tall, athletic, but produce a powerful shot and good ball handling. Before his growth spurt, he played the guard position, which is why he is regarded as a good all-rounder. However, he still had large deficits in the understanding of the game and his physique.