Lakers Player Profile: Yi Jianlian
- Updated: October 15, 2016
Scouting Report: Yi Jianlian
Height- 6’11
Weight- 245
Birthplace- Guangdong, China
Last team: China
Summary: Yi Jianlian was one of the more prospective signings during the NBA offseason and it will be interesting to see how his game has developed since he last played in the NBA. Originally drafted in sixth overall in the 2006 draft, Jianian was a major disappointment during his first tenure with on American soil. He was touted to be the next “Asian Sensation” following Yao Ming while possessing length, above average athleticism and the ability to shoot inside and out.
Unfortunately things didn’t pan out because he lacked a physical presence in the paint and averaged only 5.5 rebounds a game during his rookie season. His best season came in his third season playing for the Nets with highs in scoring and rebounding. Still he only shot 40 percent from the field and missed 30 games that season. His reputation as being too soft saw his career spiral downward to the NBA D-League and by 2011 he was back with his home team in China.
Return to the NBA: After spending the last five seasons in China, a strong showing in the olympics helped entice a few teams that Jianlian’s game had grown up and that he wasn’t the same skinny and injury-prone player when he first got drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks. His body looked more mature and he dropped 18 and 25 points against team USA over the summer before and during Rio. His play lead the Lakers to sign him to a non-guaranteed one year $1.1 million contract after averaging 20.4 PPG with 8.4 rebounds and shooting 46.7% from three-point range.
Preseason: So far Jianlian’s play has been limited but against the Sacramento Kings scored four points off the bench. Jianlian hasn’t been given the opportunity to highlight his game in large amounts, but it could be a low-risk high reward gamble for the Lakers if Jianlian could replicate a piece of the success he had during the Olympics. Right now his spot on the Lakers roster is still in limbo but he’s still 28 years old. If the last spot is decided between Ron Metta World Peace and Yi Jianlian, the best bet would be to take the player who could provide the most quality production on the bench that will be lead by noted“sixth starter” Jordan Clarkson. The roster spot going toward the seasoned but still able Jianlian who is trying to remove his label of being a bust.
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