I see your point, but I'm not sure the comparison is totally appropriate. His agents were just concerned about his marketability to a Chinese market, which is essentially non-existent in Milwaukee.
Keep in mind, on a non-racial level, this stuff has been going on for decades. Remember, when drafted, Elway didn't want to play for the Colts. I think that was because there were no buck-toothed people in Baltimore.
Don't think this post will be well received,but here goes....
I won't go so far as to call you a racist Missy, but ignorance sure is bliss. First of all, Yi didn't force anyone to draft him, likewise he isnt forced to play for anyone. By most every scouts account he is a talent. In my view,he is potential on court success and marketing money in the bank for any team.
And sorry to disagree with the Reverand as well. But the size of MIL market and its paltry Asian community were nothing more than sham arguments created to try and get him to a team more to their liking.
And what kind of team would that be? A team were he could start,or be sure of significant minutes of playing time. In Mil, he is one of three SF's wanting tick, the others being expereinced, quality players.
As the article that Missy linked to, but seemingly failed to read, indicated, Yi is expected to be a huge cog in China's dream of taking a medal on home court at Beijing's Olympics. And he and the national team wanted at least a verbal promise (if in fact they werent given more) that he would see the court often.
The other factor was indeed money. But not for Yi. Money in the pocket of the owner of his Chinese team to release him (without such he couldnt play in MIL) And also likely money to grease the sweaty palms of the Chinese national team officials as well.
Like Yao, Yi wont see alot of his salary. He has agents in two countries, part of his salary goes to the Chinese basketball association and part to his chinese league team - same as Yao. His real payday will come from endorseme
Last edited by MiddleKingdom on August 31st at 9:22 AM.
You have a degree in Sports Management and your complaining about the system now...it's all about business.
And I agree with MiddleKingdom, Yi didn't force the Bucks to draft him, he actually tried to force them not to draft him.
You complain about how time has indeed changed and question the morality of the sport...but your favorite players are Allen Iverson and Deion Sanders...
Man if your talent is common sense...I feel sorry for you...YOU'RE IN SPORTS MANAGEMENT, why are you crying?
Finally what does it matter if he went to college or not...Kobe, KG, LBJ., all of them never went to college...I guess it's time when people just cry about everything and forget how ignorant they are in their own field of work.
Haha you got offended by the story.....WOW
Sorry, but seriously goodluck with being an NBA Commisioner, learn about other cultures before being offended.
Middle, I did indeed state that I never seen him play so let me know what's so special.
But his potential is based on the NBA marketing itself to China, is it not?
There is no racism on my part. I was stating what is often said about Black players looking to do what is best for them. They are always made out to be a villain when looking out for their best interest.
@Alpher,
Thanks for taking to the time to read up on me.
Yes, I have a piece a paper that says I have a bachelor's of science in Sports and Recreation Management. And I've been complaining about the system since 8th grade that's why I went to school for it.
Allen Iverson and Deion Sanders have made millions for both of their leagues and they are both Hall of Fame worthy players. Both of them changed the game for the better and added to the entertainment factor that the league's profess to be so important. Deion has two Super Bowl rings and A.I. is only 6ft tall has lead the league in scoring, league MVP, two-time All Star MVP, you know the rest just look it up!
The college comment was me being sarcastic.
And who is crying? I got a drink in my hand getting my two step on with Prime Time, so please don't feel sorry me. I love who I am and I am far from ignorant.
I know all about other cultures I wish people would take the time to learn about mine instead of just pimping it.
Yi Just wanted to play. Alot of these were the work or his agents (who are not Chinese, a couple of white lawyers) in cohoot with his old team.
BTW, Yao is seeing almost all of his revenue. He's paying the Shanghai Sharks $8 millions over 10 years. He's already make $15 millions a year in salary plus endorsment.
Hypothetically, if EEE were given the green light to chuck like Adam Morrison was as a rookie, I think hed put up a better or at least similar percentage. the skills are there, the main question is strength and other normal rookie issues. and as mk points out he has a lot more pressure and mouths to feed than the average hoop kid. deion....SMH..lol....vanesssssa.... si mami
Last edited by QWXOTC on September 1st at 12:16 AM.
he is 7 feet tall and can shoot the 3 very well... thats what makes him special. I dont think the holdout had anything to do with race when you look at the track record of the Chinese government, so I say blame politics not there player.
he will be a good player but not a great one so I wouldnt look much into it.
every player drafted, to any pro league, is drafted based on potential, along with the talent they've shown up to that point.
i dont get the comparison between blacks and chinese. now, i wasnt real happy about Yi's camp playing the "there aint no chinese in milwaukee" card, but it has some merit. but as MiddleKingdom mentioned, part of his camp not wanting him to go to milwaukee had to do with playing time, in large part due to him being a major part of the chinese olympic team and wanting him to continue to develop.
there's absolutley no doubt in my mind that bucks owner herb kohl saw $$$$$ signs when Yi was still on the board. i dont like the idea that Yi will be a bust in the nba, but if he is, the bucks will make alot of money off merchandise bearing his name.
so, was the lack of chinese in milwaukee an issue? yes. was it the main issue for Yi or his camp? no. playing time and money for his chinese team was.
as far as the black athlete thing...are you talking about blacks that were already americans? or guys like Motumbo, Olajuwan and the like who came over from african countries? regarding those who already lived here, you're right, they didnt care where they went. they just wanted to play. i suspect, however, that if podunk, alabama was overrun with the klan and few (if any) blacks lived there, greg oden wouldnt have been real thrilled if he got drafted by a team from there.
in case i wasnt clear, the money thing worked both ways. the bucks saw a cash cow, and the chinese wanted to make money through nike and other endorsement deals.
i'm curious as to just how much Yi had to say in ANY of the negotiations. my guess is it was HIM who was most worried about the lack of chinese in milwaukee, and his camp was more concerned about the money aspect of it all.
You always need to be careful when dealing with foreign players. The fact is that Yi is a highly coveted player and he is a 7 with a good 3 pointer; we all know how teams can never have too many big men.Is the NBA actively recruiting Chinese people? Well, they're actively recruiting foreign born players, because they want the next Dirk or Manu or Tim to play in the NBA. China knows that Yi's services are wanted, and they only want him playing in a market that is media friendly for marketing efforts in China. The country can always prevent Yi from leaving the country, if they are unhappy with his team, and send him back to China's national team. That is the main difference, China can actually live up to its threats, while most basketball players unhappy with the draft won't forgo millions of dollars in salary just because they are unhappy with their market, and instead, will imply that they won't give an effort unless they are traded.
hacpee- actually, china couldnt follow through on their threat if they wanted Yi to gain valuable experience playing against many of the players he will see in next year's olympics. if the chinese refused to allow him to play in the nba this year....but DID want him to play at all in the future, he'd have to sit out a full year. that means no china league, no euro league. and just practicing with what's left of the chinese national team wouldnt do him any good.
the bucks were the ones who had the leverage, because they never let on that they'd trade him, and even selected him without ever seeing him play. tell me how that makes milwaukee a place/team that wasnt going to be as friendly as possible for his marketing efforts.
china didnt really have the power anyone believed, because it was absolutely essential that Yi play in the nba this year. when the bucks refused to budge on trading him, they lost all their leverage and it became simply a matter of weighing their only 2 remaining options. 1) sign a contract and "suffer" for a few years, or 2) sit out and play ZERO competitive basketball for a full year, re-enter the draft next year, and not get ANY experience or practice for next year's olympics.
Wow, my very own blog on Fox Sports. I guess this is as close as I will get to the real thing. Who am I? A female that loves sports and wears the crown with pride. Age: 27, Hometown: Philly, My platform issue: Millionaire Safety, Career Ambition: To become NBA Commissioner, Talent: Common Sense, Sponsor: Nacirema Dream
Playing All -Time Favorites: NBA Player - Allen Iverson, NFL Player - Deion Sanders, Teams - Chicago Bulls, San Francisco 49ers, and New York Yankees. Current Crush: Gilbert Arenas
