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.
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?
