NBA - Foreign Players

[Vlyrock]

Milwaukee drafted Yi Jianlan with the 6th overall pick in this year's NBA Draft. Yi is from China and has said that he won't play for Milwaukee (because they don't have a high population of Chinese people there). He and his agent have said that Yi will stay and work out with the National Team instead of going to the Bucks. He wants to play for a team like LA, Golden State or New York.

My deal is why does the NBA let this happen? Why should these foreign rookies get to "pick" where they go and strong arm teams that draft them.

Why doesn't the NBA just say -- "You're one guy. Talented, possibly, but if you want the opportunity to be made into a World-famous talent and make millions, then you follow by our rules.

If you get drafted, you play for that team. When your contract is up, you can then negotiate or sign elsewhere (just like the other rookies)"

It just drives me crazy that stuff like this happens (and is allowed to happen).

Thoughts?

[Pumchavas28]

Well... seeing how he's the 1st to do this.... I don't understand your beef with all foreign players.... Yao, Manu, Parker & others really don't care where they were drafted..... Along with the other European players...

[aggie1997]

I don't know if it has anything to do with foreign born players. We have seen the same thing with other athletes like JD Drew and Eli Manning.

I agree with you that you should play for the team that drafts you, unless they make a trade. You have not proven anything in the league and should not be able to dictate your own situation. A team has spent their top draft pick on you and now you are trying to screw them out of it because ultimately you don't believe they are a contender (yes I realize he states it is because there is not a high population of Chinese).

[polish]

Two Words - John Elway :bored:

Yi isn't the first. It's only a big story because of the chinese government

[PinetarAg]

Steve Francis did it...its not that uncommon for an NBA draftie to try and make it so tehy go where they want. The Bucks best bet is to trade his draft rights to someone so they can atleast get something in return instead of him reentering teh draft last year.

Hey Pum didn't a guy from your spurs do this same thing without every playing for the spurs---Scola, did not really want to play in SA because he wouldn't get big minutes so he stayed in Europe

[Loftin]

If Milwaukee sticks to their guns, Yi will spend one season in China (poor) and then report to Milwaukee for 3 seasons.

[Pumchavas28]

Steve Francis did it...its not that uncommon for an NBA draftie to try and make it so tehy go where they want. The Bucks best bet is to trade his draft rights to someone so they can atleast get something in return instead of him reentering teh draft last year.

Hey Pum didn't a guy from your spurs do this same thing without every playing for the spurs---Scola, did not really want to play in SA because he wouldn't get big minutes so he stayed in Europe


Scola is under contract with the Spanish League & the Spurs would have to buy out his contract from the Spanish League for him to play.... He wants to play, but it would cost more than his contract to get him here....

[Mole]

Scola is now with the Rockets. We got him and Jackie Butler for The T-Mac of Greece, Vassilis Spanoulis, and a second round draft pic.

The great thing about the trade was it was still an unknown if Scola would come over and play in the US. So the Rockets took an chance and it paid off big.

Thank you SA.

[Pumchavas28]

Thank you SA.


You say that, like he's your ticket to the 2nd round.... :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: