By FRED KERBER
Guess Yi Jianlian was cleared for practice. Because he practiced today.
Lawrence Frank had indicated there would be no contact today for Yi who has been out with a sprained left ankle. But the big guy – Yi, because there are a few 7-footers this year unlike last — was part of a white team that was “dominant” against the blue squad (the blues had Vince Carter, Devin Harris, Josh Boone, Brook Lopez, Ryan Anderson, Julius Hodge).
“He’s good,” said Eduardo Najera. “Very skilled. It’s going to take a while but he’s 7-feet tall, he can shoot, he can move, he can penetrate, get to the basket. He can do everything, really.”
We didn’t see many shots – actually didn’t see ANY of his shots – go down but what leaped out was how well he moved. It is completely unfair to suggest a Dirk Nowitzki comparison but the guy is a 7-footer who moves like a Dirk Nowitzki 7-footer.
“There are definitely flashes of it. When you can shoot the ball the way those two guys can, your game can progress so much more. This is only his second year in and I think he’s a little bit further ahead than Dirk was his rookie year,” said Devin Harris who was Nowitzki’s Dallas teammate. “But Dirk was extremely hard working and Yi has that same mentality so I definitely can see it happen.”
And Harris made the obvious point. Neither guy moves like a typical 7-footer. “And they don’t shoot like the prototypical 7-footer either,” Harris said.
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Yi stayed late and worked on positioning and timing with GM Kiki Vandeweghe.
“Teaching. He told me about moving and timing make the difference in how you play. How you start, where to go, how you get good position to catch the ball,” said Yi who is getting the language down but like a Seinfeld character is a really noticeable low talker.
He’s 7-footer but he sounds like he’s talking in Church. Underwater. With a pillow over his mouth.
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Yi was pleased with his first practice. So how’d it go?
“Pretty good. My shape is good,” he whispered. “I’m trying to catch up to the offensive plays and the defense of the team. I think maybe (he’s behind) a little like the difference in defensive position and the offense, running the plays. But I still got a little time.”
The ankle was “no problem,” he insisted.
Yi, of course, was the main catch in the trade of Richard Jefferson, although the Nets likely landed another starter in small forward Bobby Simmons. Yi flashed some in Milwaukee that ran headfirst into the rookie wall. He seems very relaxed with the Nets and insists he is.
“More comfortable. Last season for me, everything is new everything is different from China than playing here,” he said. “So the past year, I think about it and it’s easier to play.”
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And the coach’s take?
“He looked good. First day for not really having an opportunity, he did some 5-on-0, but considering everything, I thought he did several good things,” said Lawrence Frank.
Such as?
“A guy who’s at that size, his ability to run the floor, his ability to stretch the defense and make shots, his ability to put it on the floor and get to the rim in one dribble, his quick feet allow him to be a very good pick and roll defender,” Frank said. “His length allows him to be a very good perimeter defender against shooting fours so I think he obviously has a huge upside.”
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Again, the surprise of camp was Sean Williams. It sounds like Williams really is starting to get it. No one ever doubted his athleticism – “I mean, that guy can block shots,” Harris said. Frank insisted Williams and Stromile Swift were dominant in practice.
Williams’ inconsistency has been a reason to gnaw and gnash teeth. But he seems every day to play with a renewed focus. At least that’s what they’re telling us. Still, in the sessions open to the media, Williams rejects shots and shows a nice turnaround jumper. He has impressed. And a big difference?
“Confidence,” said Vince Carter. “With him playing like that and doing what he’s done all summer and training camp, he’s on another level. He has his lapses. He’s a happy go lucky guy. But his focus, level of play is at another level.”
Carter says Williams has made significant strides in his “offensive game” – those paint turnaround jumpers are a good example. “His post game is coming along. And you’ll see a better defensive player.”
Carter said he had a heart-to-heart with Williams about his glaring inconsistencies which had many doubting his staying power in New Jersey. “We talked about it. I asked him what mark you want to make on the league, the legacy you want to leave, and I told him you determine your longevity. He went home, came back, and. . .Wow.”
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Injury report: Najera just did non-contact stuff. Hopefully, within the next day or so (he’s back). Jarvis (Hayes) has a tight hamstring. I don’t know if technically it’s a strain or not but it’s tight on him so he just did the bike. Keyon (Dooling), same thing, pool treadmill, weights,” said Lawrence Frank.
Najera is suffering from a sprained wrist. He insisted he could have practiced but the Nets are being cautious.
“They just want me to take it easy. We don’t want a setback and go back to where we started. it’s been good,” Najera said.
The worst part?
“I just can’t punch anybody.”
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Nets have their open practice at Ramapo College tomorrow. If any tix are available, get them through njnets.com. Then Nets will depart Monday for Europe – Paris and London for games against the Heat.
Frank was asked is he’s looking forward to Paris (face it, “Frank” and “fun” just go together, huh?)
“Right now I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s practice,” Frank said.
So, know any French?
“I can hardly speak English so to attack a second language, I’ll just be very polite and nod my head,” Frank said.
Yeah, he’ll be on the right bank and probably order a plate of well done napkins rings.
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Devin Harris likes the newness of everything – new players, new system.
“It’s kind of a good thing we have a new offense and everyone’s kind of getting accustomed to one another at the same time. Everyone’s going through a learning process at the same time so it kind of helps to have that kind of camaraderie,” the point guard said.
And county Harris as a playoff believer – “I think so,” he said.
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The story of Julius Hodge being gunned down in Denver in a drive-by on the highway is well known. The case never was resolved. At least by police.
“My resolution to it is that I’m just blessed to be here and I hope to make the best of it. It was just random — and very scary,” Hodge said, taking an unbelievably positive view of the April, 2006 incident that nearly ended his career.
“It just helped me in terms o being a smarter person. After 12 o’clock, nothing good can happen. So there’s no reason to be out after midnight,” Hodge said.
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Useless fact of the day: Some golf trivia. Know where the term “Fore!” comes from. Again, thought you’d never ask.
It actually comes from the British military. Back when soldiers stood in lines at least two deep and fired their rifles, an officer would yell “Beware before” for the soldiers in front, advising them to kneel and those behind fired. Guess they discovered soldiers with holes in their noggins weren’t much use.