Yi Jianlian is making a comeback to the NBA after leaving in 2012 to play for the Chinese Basketball Association. The 28-year-old player was drafted to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2007 but played unimpressively with four teams for five years prior to his departure from the NBA.
The Los Angeles Lakers confirmed this week that Yi is playing for the team with a one-year deal in the upcoming NBA season. Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak said the team is "excited" to have a worldwide accomplished player like Yi and they are hoping that he would "make an impact" with them, according to a press release published on NBA's website.
Yi's last NBA game was with the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011-12 season. The Chinese forward also played for the New Jersey Nets and Washington Wizards.
The 6-foot-11 Yi played for his home country at the Rio Olympic Games 2016, averaging 20.4 points, 1.4 steals, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game, with a 46.7 percent shooting from three-point range. In his five-year NBA career, Yi averaged 7.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 22.2 minutes per game.
Yi may tower above others in his almost 7-feet stature, but he's often regarded as a below-average shooting guard, according to CBS Sports. Yi didn't have good shooting skills or consistency to be adequate on the perimeter. He was not that powerful on the inside either and his defense is somewhat terrible.
The Lakers is likely hoping that Yi overcame his shortcomings through his good years with the CBA and it has turned him into a more confident player on the court. NBA reporter Joey Ramirez, however, argued that the CBA lacks in defense and is known for puffing up statistics -- factors that put doubts on Yi's supposed improvements.
People would have to watch out for Yi's performance at the NBA to see whether CBA's assessment on him is indeed accurate. After returning to his home country, Yi averaged more than 23 points per season and last year, he recorded 26.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.
CBS Sports believes that Yi is now a better fit to the NBA than when he left the organization years ago. He would be deserving of the Lakers' investment if he succeeds in defending small players, stretching the floor, and in the offensive play particularly in the pick and pop. Yi's athleticism and strength are also contributions to the team, Yahoo! Sports noted.
The Lakers is developing its young players and rebuilding the team with superstar Kobe Bryant now gone. Aside from Yi, the team also recently signed Tarik Black and Brandon Ingram.
