Yi gets cheese after cat and mouse game

Yi Jianlian poses at a press conference in Hong Kong yesterday. The power forward signed with the Milwaukee Bucks after a two-month stalemate ensued the 2007 NBA Draft on June 28. Xinhua

The dust has finally settled in the two-month row between China's hoop treasure Yi Jianlian and NBA franchise the Milwaukee Bucks.

The 2.12m power forward inked a multi-year deal with the Bucks yesterday after team owner Herb Kohl and other officials made the trip to Hong Kong.

Yi was selected as the sixth draft pick by the Bucks in late June, but his camp held out claiming it wanted him to play for a franchise with a larger Chinese fan base.

Tigers officials said both sides were satisfied by yesterday's resolution.

Kohl, Bucks general manager Larry Harris and team vice-president Ron Walter met Yi, Chinese Basketball Association officials and Guangdong Tigers owner Chen Haitao yesterday.

"This is a brand-new start for me," the 19-year-old told a press conference in Hong Kong yesterday.

"I am very excited because I will have a chance to compete in the NBA."

Following the draft American agent Dan Fegan immediately indicated Yi did not want to play for Milwaukee after he had previously resisted approaches by Bucks officials to put him through a private workout at Fegan's Los Angeles training base.

Tigers boss Chen and Chinese sports authorities held concerns about the playing time Yi could expect in his rookie NBA season ahead of the Beijing Olympics next year.

"This is a great outcome for all," Tigers general director Liu Hongjiang declared.

"Both sides have done a lot of work - the signing has delighted Yi himself and also our club.

"The Bucks and us have made everything clear over the past weeks and today I'm happy to see people sit down and sign the deal."

Bucks boss Kohl echoed Liu's point.

"There has been a genuine excitement throughout our city and state, as well as internationally, following our selection of Yi in the NBA Draft," he told Milwaukee local media Jsonline.com.

"We all anticipate Yi's arrival and welcome him and his family to Milwaukee. We look forward to a successful relationship for many years to come."

NBA Commissioner David Stern, who had hinted he would intervene to force Yi to join the Bucks, welcomed the Chinese rookie.

"We are happy that Yi will be playing with the Bucks to further develop his skill and his contribution to both the Chinese National Team and the NBA," he said in a statement. "This is another great example of cooperation between the CBA and the NBA."

In an online poll by Chinese portal Sina.com, 76 percent of fans believe Yi will be able to make the team's starting lineup while a poll by Jsonline.com shows 58 percent of American fans think the Bucks will become a playoff team with Yi on the roster.

Yi has signed a two-year contract with another two optional.

Based on salaries of the past No 6 draft picks, the Chinese star will pocket an estimated $8.7-13 million if he fulfills all four years.

According to Sina.com, the Bucks have agreed to pay Tigers a waiver on Yi but the figure has yet to be released.

Fighting for minutes

Despite plenty of assurance from Harris and new coach Larry Krystowiak that he will immediately get floor time, Yi will have to earn his minutes like all league rookies.

The Bucks seem to have an opening at power forward but there are no sure bets for any players in the world's toughest league.

After failing to finish above .500 in the past five years, the franchise made some big moves throughout the summer including resigning Desmond Mason and extending the contract of Mo Williams.

The side also has a full stock of big men including Andrew Bogut, Charlie Villanueva, Bobby Simmons and Dan Gadzuric.

"I am aware of the competition in the team," said Yi.

"I know I have to work a lot harder and play with more confidence to win my place in the team."

Yi spent his summer with the Chinese national team in the NBA Summer League, the Stankovic Cup and the European Tour, finishing top scorer in the latter two by averaging 27 points and 8.9 rebounds.

Bucks officials watched Yi play in the Las Vegas tournament in early July and were impressed by his last-second shot against the Cleveland Cavaliers summer outfit in China's lone victory in five games.

Yi averaged 24.9 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.8 block shots a game last season for the Guangdong Southern Tigers, where he helped the team win three China Basketball Association (CBA) championships in five years.

He competed as a 16-year-old for the Chinese National Team at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan.

The star will join the Bucks training camp on October 1 and begin the preseason on October 31.

(China Daily 08/30/2007 page22)