Yi Better Check Yi'rself, Before Yi Wreck Yi'rself

Who does Yi Jianlian think he is?

It's been two weeks now, and still, the divide between the newest Chinese wunderkid and Milwaukee's Finest (not the brew, unfortunately) grows larger by the day. Apparently, the Sacramento Kings are interested in aquiring the 19 year old brat's service. And not brat as in the kind of sausage that Randall Simon pummelled only a few years ago.

I wonder where he gets off thinking he can say no to the Milwaukee Bucks after they made him their 6th pick overall. What happened to the good ol' days when a Chinese athlete was simply happy to be able to leave his country without taking 6 lashes to the back?

Gone are the days when our athletes from the Orient simply came, and played.

In are the days when Maryland schooled-punks can say no to Vancouver. Or silver spooned quarterbacks can deny a lifetime in San Diego.

What was the reason he gave for not wanting to play in Beer-town? Not a high enough Asian population. Boo-hoo.

Just once I'd like to see the the league grow a sack and put the squash on something like this. Tell Yi to either stay and play, or get the hell out.

Notes:

• You've gotta love NFL contracts: Dwight Freeney-6 yrs, 72 million. Odds that he ever sees more than half of that?
• You've gotta hate NBA contracts: Rashard Lewis-6 years, 110 million. At just over 18 mil per year, Lewis now not only makes max money, but gets to play with the recently extended Dwight Howard for the forseable future. Though, Lewis, for all the great things he does (3 point shooting, offensive game from a guy with a 6'10'' frame), there are some things he does poorly. How about rebound? Not really. How about man to man D? Not really. Then again, does a max contract guarantee a max player in the NBA anymore? Not really.
• File this under the "Could've Seen That Coming" Category: Ben Sheets, after throwing a pitch to Todd Helton, was taken out of yesterday's 10 inning contest that saw the Brewers come out on top. Sheets says he'll be "alright", but we all know what that means. Inner ear problems, anyone?
• If you can think of one reason the Nets signed Jamaal Magloire for any amount of money, you're not only smarter than I am, but a better person.
• Draft Recap: Once again, the Knicks have most likely made fools of us, picking a guy that no one (besides me) thought was even worthy of a top 50 selection and the Sixers have bombed in another draft. Yes, they did draft Iguadola, but other than he and Iverson, who else? To say they've done poorly since drafting Iverson is a ridiculous understatement.
• Finally, the Vassilis Spanoulis experiment has come to a conclusion in Houston. Don't worry though, after complaining of homesickness, the Vassy the Greek is still owed 1.9 million dollars for this upcoming season. How on earth could anyone have ever given him more than, let's say, 78 dollars to play for the season?
• Scott Spiezo has just been put on the DL. This is terrible news for two reasons. First, those of us who just love that red little shit streak on his chin will have to wait the obligatory 15 days. Second, the Cardinals, at least for the time being, have lost their best reliever.