FanNation - The Republic of Sport

I honestly didn't know anything about Yi when he was drafted by the Bucks, but all signs seemed to point that he would be a decent player, as scouts all over indicated what they were getting was a known quantity.  However, after Milwaukee picked him 6th, the aura surrounding him has really gone south, seemingly a lot of it not his fault.  The problem seems to be coming from the national government of China, as well as Yi's handlers and agents.  All sorts of demands and wishes coming these individuals indicate they have have his best interests at heart as they want him to be Yao Ming, part II. 

However, I  must question the advice Yi is being given.  If evevryone wants him to succeed, he must be allowed to play in the NBA.  Now.  For the Bucks.  If the demands go through to prevent from playing in Milwaukee, what are his options?  To apply for next year's draft, he would have to sit out the entire year.....for everyone.  He couldn't go back to play for his team in China, nor play for another NBA team.  So, what's the point of all this posturing?  There would be no exposure for him in the next year and future Chinese prospects would be looked at with a great deal more scrutiny, more concerning agent/government demands than actual basketball skills.  How does that help the Chinese government or the NBA relationships they hold so dear? 

If Milwaukee gives in, this will set a bad precedent for small market teams in the NBA.  It will ring loudest that they will be incapable of signing players from China, and that only a few larger teams should even bother trying to get them on their team.  The draft is not meant for draftees to pick and choose where they want to go, but rather to even the playing field between the haves and have nots.  Milwaukee is not the Siberia of the NBA as it seems they have been made out to be, which leads to another team; the Atlanta Hawks.  If they would have picked him 3rd, what is the guarantee he owuld be all that and a bag of chips for them?  The Hawks are also in the doldrums of the Eastern Conference, but seem to have a decent nucleas to build around, just like the Bucks.   Six of one/half a dozen of the other

What I think is funny about this is the comments that from his handlers that he needs to start immediately to make everyone happy.  Well, if he busts his **** against the likes of Bogut and Villeneuva, that is a distinct possbility.  He shouldn't be given an automatic starting role simply because his agents/whatever demand it.  I hope that Milwaukee sticks to its guns and don't let him go.