Yi's tradition of silence

"Keep silent and a low profile and you will get rich soon," a colleague from Guangdong once told me. "You never heard this?" he asked as I furrowed my brow. "It's an ancient tradition we Guangdong people have followed for hundreds of years."

I never quite understood the significance of that tradition until I started paying attention to Yi Jianlian, also a Guangdong native. I used to be the first reporter in Yi's face after his national team games in China, but I never got more than 20 words from him - neither did anyone else.

But now I get it: Yi is a perfect example of the Guangdong tradition. Game by game, Chinese reporters have realized it's better to wait for him in the press room where he's paid to be verbose after a game rather than courtside where he keeps his mouth shut. Judging by the number of reporters surrounding him immediately after a game, you'd think he is no more popular than a third-class player in China's subpar soccer league.

Yi is quiet - some have even called him "bored". And as his young NBA career skyrockets, he is indeed getting rich pretty fast. But his success has had no effect on his disposition. After Saturday's scintillating shooting display en route to his first-ever NBA double-double (to the tune of 29 points and 10 rebounds), Yi had reason to give a little shout. So what did he say after his historical game?

"The same," a friend of mine who is following him in Milwaukee told me. "I can easily find the exact same quotes in my recorder when he played in the CBA (Chinese Basketball Association). He finished the press conference like he didn't do anything different."

But we no longer need to worry about Yi's introversion. The kid has proven time and again that he is ready to inherit the ancient tradition of his hometown, following the millionaire businessmen who operate clothing and food enterprises, raking in the cash and hardly making a sound.

Yi's introverted character has long been considered his main obstacle to integrating into the American lifestyle. Some called it the major difference between him and Yao Ming, saying it was the very reason he lacks what it takes to overcome Yao's NBA achievements.

But those concerns seem to be fading away as he racks up stats and has become a Bucks fan favorite. The only question remaining is what Yi will do next? Will he chase Kevin Durant for Rookie of Year? Will he be an All Star? We can only wait and see, silent like Yi.

(China Daily 12/26/2007 page22)