His "people" blocked anyone and everyone from Milwaukee to scout him over in China.
They told the Bucks in no uncertain terms...."Do not draft him, he WILL NOT play for Milwaukee."
Milwaukee drafted him anyway.
He didn't look happy when the announcement was made, but didn't go off on a tangent when interviewed by Stuart "Walleye" Scott, although I don't comprehend whatever language that was he was speaking, so maybe he did.
The popular opinion was that his people wanted him in a city with a high number of Chinese/Asian people.
Then a report comes out that his coach/chief/something of his Chinese team (name which I cannot spell or pronounce, but would be BLEEPed by Fox anyway) would block any move to Milwaukee.
Along with this, it was said that Yi not wanting (or his people not wanting him....or whatever) to play in Milwaukee wasn't because of the lack of Chinese people, but rather because he wouldn't get a starting job (or enough playing time) with Andrew Bogut and Charlie Villanueva likely starting at Center and Power Forward. (This sort of paints a picture of Yi not being superstar-ready, doesn't it? I mean, if he/they don't think Yi can beat out CV, he can't be that good) When it comes right down to it, what's the real difference between starting and playing 15-20 minutes per game and coming off the bench and getting 15-20 minutes per game?
Less than 24 hours later, this report was found to be completely false.
A rumor a day or so ago said Yi was possibly looking to fire his agent. (You don't suppose he's figuring out this scheme isn't what's best for him do you?)
Meanwhile, the only constant in all this has been Milwaukee's stance. They've never hinted they have any intention of trading him, nor that they plan to any time in the next 5 years, or however long Yi refuses to join the club.
But, he can like, re-enter the draft next year, right?
As far as I know, absolutely not. Well, the only way he can is if he sits out the next full year of any organized basketball. That includes playing for his current Chinese team, or any other pro league, whether it be in China, Europe, Iraq, Canada, or the planet Neptune.
With Yi a main cog on the Chinese Olympic team, and the games being held in China, this is not going to happen. The Chinese want desperately to medal (I'm guessing Gold is what they really want) in the games, they won't let him sit in a corner and not play at all.
Yeah, but he has all the leverage. Milwaukee can't afford to draft him #6 overall and not get anything out of/for him, right?
Well, here we go again. Since Milwaukee hasn't budged an inch since drafting him, and the story from Yi's camp has changed more than I've changed my socks. One would think picking a stance and sticking with it for a while is the way to go, wouldn't one?
Also, this wouldn't be the first time Milwaukee drafted someone in the first round and got nothing for him. Remember Robert "Tractor" Traylor? He's the guy Milwaukee desperately wanted the same year Dirk was in the draft. Dallas wanted Dirk, but didn't think he was worthy of being picked so high (I think they were 5th, and Milwaukee was 8th). So, Don Nelson, who was with Dallas at the time, and formerly with Milwaukee, used his ties to Herb Kohl and company to work some magic. The Bucks wanted Traylor, but were afraid one of the other teams ahead of them would snag him. Milwaukee agreed to take Dirk for Dallas, plus send their other 1st round pick (who turned out to be Pat Garrity) to the Mavs for Traylor.
Milwaukee got nothing from Traylor, while Dirk is the MVP and Garrity is...well, that really isn't important for this story.
What is important is that Larry Harris and Herb Kohl aren't going to budge unless an absolute no-brainer trade offer comes their way.
Advantage: Milwaukee.....
the end.
What else is in the news?
Barry Bonds finally played a game again, and hit 2 HR. after a span of something like 0-30 (maybe not quite that bad), everyone thinks he's "on fire" now.
Really? after 1 game? I'll wait for a week or so and see if he does anything in that time before I proclaim he's "on fire."
The Brewers were slumping coming into today's game....
Excuse me? They won 4 in a row before losing 5-2 to Arizona last night. Is 4-1 in your last 5 now considered slumping? Well, they must have used that as blackboard material, because they unleashed the beast against the D-Backs today, winning 10-1.
Chris Carpenter to have Tommy John surgery....
That stinks. Really. I am far from being a Cardinals fan, but I like Carpenter. Good pitcher, good guy from what I know about him. He'll essentially miss 2 full seasons, as rehab will cause him to miss all of next year.
Trade deadline approaching, who's making big moves?
The, ummm....Cubs? I guess.
The other day they wrestled Jason Kendall from the A's (for next to nothing mind you). Kendall has had a pretty good career at the plate, but was hitting .226 at the time of the trade. Way to upgrade your offense Cubbies. Oh, and his near total inability to throw out baserunners should really be a plus behind the plate.
Not to let that be their only great move, the Cubs today trade Cesar Isturiz to Pittsburgh for...a player to be named later? Ah, good ol' PTBNL. They must be clearing a spot on the roster for....well, who exactly is available anyway?
Today a rumor came out that the Reds were shipping Adam Dunn to Milwaukee for:
RP Matt Wise, OF Tony Gwynn, and an infield prospect.
Looking at Wise's stats, he's been pretty solid. I've even seen him pitch in a couple games and he's looked good. So, why would they trade one of their best relievers when the bullpen has been their major desire to try and upgrade? Also, why would Cincy want him? He's a bit older, was picked off the scrap heap (so to speak) by Milwaukee, and certainly can't be considered a long-term answer to their problems.
At this point, it looks like Gwynn is expendable. He's not much more than a 5th OF'er/pinch runner/late inning defensive replacement. He might get better with regular playing time, but that isn't going to happen in Milwaukee this season.
Which brings me to this.....Where is Dunn going to play? When Bill Hall comes off the DL, he'll be in CF, Corey Hart is not going to be taken out of RF, and the platoon of Geoff Jenkins and Kevin Mench, while not fantastic, has done a fine job. Oh, and they're making roughly $11 million between them. I don't think either can be moved unless the Brewers eat most of their remaining salary, which I don't see small-market Brew-aukee doing. They simply can't afford that.
This whole thing with Yi really confuses me. I have to say I was totally shocked when the Bucks picked him. There are times when I sit there and try to figure out why they drafted him and what is going on with all this and then I stop thinking about it becuase it just confuses the hell out of me.
I'm not a Cards fan either, but that's bad news about Carpenter. He's such a great pitcher. It always seems to happen to the best of them.
Yeah where would the Brew Crew put Dunn? They already have enough outfielders. And being the NL he can't DH.
I heard the Chinese are really pissed at him becasue he missed the training day for their national team. Why doesn't he just defect? Cripes..he's a sure shoe-in.
socal- I believe Yi will play in Milwaukee also. Either that, or the Bucks are simply trying to raise his trade value by claiming they have no interest whatsoever in dealing him.
My thing with Bonds is, when he was slumping, the geniuses at ESPN thought he was done for. Yesterday, (after sitting out a couple games for whatever reason) he manages to go 3-3 with a pair of HR. Now all the sudden he's "on fire" again. It's one game.
lisa- I think he loves his country, and wants to play for the Olympic team, so he's stuck between loyalty to his country, and trying to be his own person (thinking for himself). I still don't think we really know what his real thoughts are on this whole thing, and probably won't unless he fires his agent. That should prove he's sick of being handled like a puppet by everyone around him.
bubbles- I think no matter who would have selected Yi, it would have been as much, if not more to do with his potential of being a cash cow than his ability to play ball. Even if he stinks as a player, whoever he ends up suiting up for is going to make millions off merchandise sales in the first year alone.
Josh- All I saw was a few clips of him actually doing something good. His stats don't show much.
Like I said, if his people don't think he can beat out Charlie Villanueva, who exactly do they think he CAN beat out? Chuck Hayes down in Houston maybe...Other than that, I don't know.
My opinion will be very unpopular, but picture
yourself wanting to play in Shanghai or Beijing
only to be sent way the Hell Up Northern Mongolia
away from everything? Doesn't sound too appealing
does it? When American Players who can't make the
NBA want to play abroad, they have total freedom
to play anywhere in the World, be it Madrid, Rome,
Paris or Northern Mongolia. Yep, you have full
choice and usually end up where they pay you the
most. I am sorry, but I understand that the poor
sucker does not want to go where it's cold and he
would have to drive to Chicago down the Interstate
just to talk in person with a Chinese girl. Give
him a break and try to realize that his stomach would not be able to digest those Milwaukee Brats...He's no Japanese and his name ain't - sorry for the spelling of the name- Kobayiashi
While I can understand that point of view, that does not appear to be the case here. The latest word is that it's not about how many Chinese (people he is at least somewhat familiar with in terms of lifestyle and speak the same language) are in the city he plays in, but rather how much playing time, whether he gets to start, or how his development will be slowed by where he goes.
Also, going to New York, Chicago or Boston isn't going to be that much different as far as the weather goes.
....And if it really was just about being familiar with people of his own race/ethnicity, why come to America at all?
....Another thing....He knew all along that if he was going to play in America, he had to do it by entering the draft, which means the team chooses him, not the other way around. Besides, the way it looks is that HE is not the one making all these demands, or that he's particularly happy about how it is all being handled.
Again, if it was simply about familiarity of the people, he could easily stay in China. It's about money...So we know he has that part of the American culture down....Get as much as you can, even if you have to find a way around the rules to get it.
this could get interesting. would the chinese pull Yao's visa in order to leverage Milwaukee and the NBA? Chinese sports stars have zero to say about their own destinies and they have to give part of their money to chinese govt. Last time I heard Yao was giving almost 40% of his post tax money.
Two new blogs up including 2nd half of blog nominees for important stuff like Hottie of the first half and other regulatory items.
Merc! You made the foxfunhouse page...congrats! Go to the home page and scroll down til you see the funhouse articles (bikini girls)and click on it. You are on the right side. Congrats! :)
I'd like to thank all the fans who voted for me, and showed their support through these tough times, including the trumped up indictment against me for various criminal activities I would never, ever take part in....Period.
Also, my family, particularly my parents. If it hadn't been for that raging frat party back in the fall of '75, I wouldn't be here.
My posse, or as I prefer to call them, the "MerCruisers" who roll with me whenever I decide to let the fans see what they can't have....I mean, give back to the community.
In all seriousness, this is kind of cool. I had no idea anyone from foxsports actually read this stuff, especially mine. Also, thanks to you lisa, for letting me know. I hate to admit that I rarely check out the Funhouse anymore, since dial-up service has me frustrated beyond belief.
I am surprised that comments before this one contains no racism because a lot of other blogs concerning Yi contain hateful words against the Chinese people. I just want to say that the bloggers before me should be proud of themselves; GOOD JOB GUYS!
infinitidoug- This really isn't a race issue, at least I don't believe so. It looks more like a simple matter of greed, mostly by those who are supposed to be helping Yi fit in. Instead, they're using him to make money for themselves.
As far as the race issue, the only Chinese that could be to blame are Yi himself, for not standing up for himself, and his current team over there, for supposedly blocking any move to Milwaukee, but even that is questionable.
I'm here because I have too much time on my hands. Spending my time in bars just isn't all that appealing. I can't say spending my money there, or on gas, really gets me pumped up either.
Question: Why do we have the option of choosing "undeclared" for our marital status? Is this some underground swingers hook-up site or something? Better yet, why is our marital status even relevent?
