Yi Jianlian to take the Nets to the next level

October 9, 5:36 PMAsian-American Sports ExaminerMichael Street

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One of the New Jersey Nets' Asian promotional posters for Yi

If you've ever lived in New York City, you know there are four second-class teams in the Big Apple, and three of them rhyme: Mets, Jets, Nets, (and the Islanders).

In part because they are off-island (though the Giants also play in NJ), these teams are always playing second banana to the usually more successful (the Isles have done better than the Rangers in recent memory), more publicized Manhattan teams: the Giants, Yankees, Rangers, and Knicks.

In the past few seasons, however, the Nets have far outperformed the moribund Knicks. The Nets' offseason moves this year look to not only strengthen that advantage, but steal away some fans from those first-tier Manhattan teams.

Only one player will accomplish both of those missions: Yi Jianlian, the "other" Chinese big man. Brought over from the Milwaukee Bucks in an offseason three-person trade that allowed New Jersey to dump some if its veteran talent, Yi hopes that a new team will not only allow him to develop into a fluid big man, but that the NJ/NY metro area will allow him to connect with Asian fans.

And the Nets are doing everything they can to capitalize on this new demographic.

Before the draft, Yi and his agent had made it well known that Yi wanted to play in a city with a significant Chinese population. Yao Ming draws on Houston's significant Asian population, giving him emotional and financial support, and Yi saw this as a model to follow. He also wanted to play in a good team where he'd have a chance to play and develop his skills.

So when Milwaukee--a city with a negligible Asian subculture and a team with little success--there was talk that Yi would hold out or demand a trade. Ultimately, he agreed to play, a decision that led to the founding of the Milwaukee Chinese Times (the state's first Chinese-language newspaper) by a local businessman, and a lot of questions from Asian fans. Would Yi be allowed to play? Would he draw Asian fans to Milwaukee, or at least to visiting venues?

Neither of these questions were answered definitively; Yi had an up-and-down season, being named Rookie of the Month for December, but falling off considerably in the second half of the season. He also lost time to Charlie Villanueva, another young forward. And Asian fans didn't flock to Milwaukee games the way they did to Yao's games.

Now, the newspaper is apparently still there (as are the Bucks) but Yi isn't. In New Jersey, he not only has a more dedicated audience in Manhattan's Chinatown and other Asian communities, but also a slightly clearer path to playing time. He's currently listed as the starting power forward, although New Jersey has a lot of young players who can play center or power forward, leading to speculation that they may employ a Hubie Brooks platoon, with two full squads swapped in and out.

This means Yi will have to keep his game strong, and it won't hurt him to have someone keeping him sharp this way. Still, given that they lost three players to get him, he'll more likely play than sit, and has the biggest upside of any of the other options. Yi has a unique package that combines fluid court movement, excellent ball handling and passing skills, strong outside shooting, plus a tall frame that (if he can bulk up) would allow him to bang some boards as well.

It's a package very much like the one that Yao Ming brought to the league (along with six or seven inches of height)—and many wondered if he could play on the same court as BIG big men like Shaq. Yao proved himself in the Asian-friendly confines of Houston, and Yi can only hope that he does the same in his new Asian environs outside of our nation's greatest melting pot. The Nets are putting out all sorts of promotionals, like the poster above and a new Chinese-language entrance to their site.

If it's any indication of their success, the New Jersey Nets announced after Yi's signing that everyone who bought season tickets would get a free Yi jersey. They sold 200 season tickets in the next 36 hours.