Milwaukee Bucks forward rookie Yi Jianlian of China was named the 2007 December month’s NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the month. Yi Jianlian is a 7-footer (2.12m) drafted sixth pick the Bucks and has averaged 12.1 points and 6.6 rebounds for the last month. In season, he is averaging second among rookies in points (11.0), third in rebounds (6.1), seventh in assists (0.9) first in field goal percentage (47.1), third in free throw percentage (80.0), fourth in blocks (1.1) and third in minutes (28.3) as of now.
On consecutive Saturdays in December, Yi produced career-highs in points and tallied his first career double-double. Against Minnesota on December 15, Yi was 9-14 from the field on his way to 22 points and seven rebounds in a win over the Timberwolves. The following Saturday he poured in 29 points (14-17 FG) to go along with 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals and a blocked shot as the Bucks defeated the Bobcats 103-99. Over his last 10 games, Yi has put up 14.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots. He hit 54.1 percent of his field goals and 88.5 percent of his free throws in that span.
Last Night was the game Bucks played against Denver Nuggets and lost it with 105-125. The entire Bucks team had a bad night except for Mo Williams who shot close to 50 % field goals.
But as for Yi Jianlian, he made only 2 for 11 FG, although he did made 4 for 4 free throws. He had 2 turnovers and total of 8 points. So why he had such a horrible game that night?
First of all, he is a rookie and he won’t make 20 points every night. He usually plays his best when playing with the home court advantage.
But nonetheless, there is no best excuse than this one - He almost entered the room of Denver Nugget’s dance team. If it wasn’t for the Bucks player Charlie Bell, Yi Jianlian would be in the news all over the places. Charlie Bell yelled “Yi, Yi, you’re going the wrong way.”
This embarrassing moment must have made it hard for Yi Jianlian’s focus on playing good basketball during the game.
On a positive side, he did try to go to the rim and put up the shots, but he was blocked atleast twice during the game by Mike Camby. Michael Redd got blocked by him as well.
Bucks 89 and Kings 102 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Yi Jianlian almost had his first double double with 8 point and 12 rebounds.
During the game, they were time 9 times and lead changed 18 time; so the game was quite competitive. Both the team play near 49% field goal shooting, but it the 3 point shooting that made the difference. Sacramento Kings made about 78%, which was 10% higher than Bucks in 3 point shooting of 68%.