MILWAUKEE (AP) -Yi Jianlian had 10 points and five rebounds, and threw in a halfcourt shot Saturday during the Milwaukee Bucks’ open scrimmage at the Bradley Center.
Three days after arriving from Shanghai, the Bucks’ first-round pick from China also blocked a shot in 25 minutes before 7,109 fans.
Yi was the main focus of the scrimmage for the fans, who cheered him loudly when he was introduced before the practice and then chanted his name after he scored seven points in the fourth quarter. He also hit from midcourt during a fan contest after the third quarter, earning a standing ovation.
“I heard my name while I was on the court and I was excited for the atmosphere of the game,” Yi said through an interpreter. “It was a good start to get ready for the season.”
Yi started slowly and appeared sluggish after a long week of traveling and practice. He made his first basket on a dunk with 2:28 remaining in the second quarter, then had to leave the court a minute later with a bloody nose.
But he turned it on in the fourth quarter, hitting a 10-foot jumper, a driving jump shot and then a turnaround jumper with 2:17 remaining. His final shot at the buzzer was blocked by center Andrew Bogut. Yi ended up shooting 4-of-9 from the field and 2-of-3 from the free throw line.
“Initially he was trying to find his way, but then made some nice plays at the end,” coach Larry Krystkowiak said. “He really showed everyone what we’ve been talking about with his ability to change ends of the floor. He is really agile for a big man and I think he did a nice job under the circumstance with his shooting and made progress.”
Krystkowiak said he was very pleased with the fans’ reaction to Yi.
“It was great that the fans welcomed him the way they did,” the coach said. “I thought it was a very positive day for him.”
Add A Comment
THIS IS NOT A GAMBLING SITE – If you think you have a gambling problem click here.
Disclaimer: This site is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Individual users are responsible for the laws regarding accessing gambling information from their jurisdictions. Many countries around the world prohibit gambling, please check the laws in your location. Any use of this information that may violate any federal, state, local or international law is strictly prohibited.
Copyright: The information contained on TheSpread.com website is protected by international copyright and may not be reproduced, or redistributed in any way without expressed written consent.
About: TheSpread.com is the largest sports betting news site in the United States. We provide point spread news, odds, statistics and information to over 175 countries around the world each year. Our coverage includes all North American College and Professional Sports as well as entertainment, political and proposition wagering news.
©1999-2023 TheSpread.com