Yi Jianlian-Death Before Milwaukee

Does the NBA really need Yi?Yi and his handlers seem to think so.Its a league already chock full of players with a heightened sense of self worth.Would it be such a terrible thing if we let one NBA calibre player that Yi is go because of his attitude towards the NBA.Would it be such a bad thing if the Guangdong Tigers blocked the deal and keep him in China?They say they are keeping him from signing not because of the lack of Chinese people in Milwaukee but instead,:"We want to find a team suitable for Yi's growth".

There are a few things that Yi and his infamous handlers are obviously forgetting.The first is he obviously doesn't know how the whole draft thing works-you know, you workout for teams that show an interest in you-you try and impress them as best you can and hope that they see something in you that would make them want you on there team.Ultimatley its their decision not yours.If you want to decide where you go than you can just skip the draft and decide in the free agency.

Another thing that I think is hugely important that Yi seems to be forgetting is the fact that he is a rookie,therefore an unproven commodity,the lowest part of the totum poll and in no position to make demands.The Guangdong Tigers chief also said that another concern would be the fact that he would fail to get any considerable playing time in Milwaukee.My question is:Where does he want to go?If theres a team who would give him considerable playing right away-please point me in their direction.I wonder how Yi would take having to carry the veterans bags for them or some of the usual rookie hazing.How would he and his All Star frame of mind respond to that.

Yi also seems to be forgetting that he is in the NBA to play..wait for it BASKETBALL.An unproven rookie who got drafted almost entirely on hype should be more concerned on improving his game-not his marketability.Assuming for a minute that I believe that he doesn't want to go to Milwaukee because of the playing time issue(which I don't).Even if he might not get PT right away,he had plenty of tools to develop in Milwaukee.He could improve his inside game going against a big stiff like Andrew Bogut.He could improve his defense playing against a versatile big man like Charlie V.So its obvious to me that Yi wants to play in a place where he's the man regardless of how he plays.He wants to play in a place with a high Chinese population so he can be a fan favorite for just being Chinese.

The NBA will survive without Yi and Yi will survive without the NBA,he can stay in China make his money and be the man over there,since all he's interested in his being popular.Will we survive without seeing Yi Jianlian night in-night out?I think I'll manage.