Sports
Yi set to return next week
By Chen Xiangfeng (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-12-04 08:12
The New Jersey Nets' Chinese power forward, Yi Jilian, said on Wednesday he is close to full recovery from a right knee injury and should be back in action against the Chicago Bulls next Tuesday.
"I'm now 90 percent fit and I think everything will be OK by next week," said Yi, who sustained the injury during a 79-68 loss at Charlotte last month.
"I've been running and shooting. I will try to scrimmage in the next couple of days," Yi said. "It's no fun to have an injury and be on the bench.
"You think about what you could be doing on the court, like rebounding, like making a cut, running or moving. Lots of stuff. You think about how you could fit in."
The 22-year-old Yi, who played for China's Olympic team last year, came to the Nets in a 2008 trade and had been impressive before the injury. His return is expected to help end the team's humiliating losing streak.
New Jersey went through a two-week period with only eight available players because of injuries. Point guard Devin Harris recently returned from a strained groin.
"It's bad for sure. We are losing a lot of games but we had all these injuries at the beginning of the season. It's tough. It's hard to win games when you play with eight guys," said Yi.
Coach Lawrence Frank was fired on Sunday and general manager Kiki Vandeweghe takes on the job with absolutely no experience in the role.
Kiki has experience in player development, however, helping Dirk Nowitzki go from struggling rookie to All-NBA in two years as an assistant in Dallas.
Yi has confidence in the new coach, saying Kiki will lead the team out of the doldrums.
"He knows us very well and he selected many of the young players in this team before the season.
"I believe he will help the team out of its troubles."
Yi is also glad to see Del Harris join the Nets as an assistant coach.
Harris has more than 30 years of NBA coaching experience and worked with rookie coach Vinny Del Negro last season in Chicago.
The 72-year-old Harris also worked with Yi when he was coach of the Chinese national team in 2004.
"He (Harris) is a great coach. He likes to use young players and trusts them. I had a very good relationship with him and benefited a lot during his tenure in China.
"I am sure they will be a great help to our team."
(China Daily 12/04/2009 page24)
