Listen Up Yi! Scottie Knows Best

We all know Yi Jianlian isn't really thrilled with having been picked by the Milwaukee Bucks in last month's draft. Thus far his management team has proved to be difficult, worried about Milwaukee's small market and its lack of ethnic Chinese fans there. And while Yi obviously hasn't had the beer there yet, he's also unlikely to pull a Danny Ferry. So with all the thoughts going on in his head, Yi should be listening to...Scottie Pippen?

That's right. Scottie knows best. He's the guy who's smart enough to enjoy life, spending all of his $109 career salary. But he's equally smart to have earned almost $80,000 in 2003-2005 through government checks through farm subsidies from the federal government. On a promotional trip to Beijing, Pippen was asked about Yi and his situation.

So what says wise sage Pippen?

"Just looking at the fact that he doesn't want to play in that market, I think he should really try to reconsider and embrace the fact that not only are you a part of the NBA, but you have a chance to go out and make a name for yourself," Pippen told reporters here.

"The city of Milwaukee is going to be very happy to have him there. They are more than open and ready to embrace him," the former Chicago Bull added.

That's right, take it from Scottie. He knows how to respond best when you don't get your way. But Yi shouldn't refuse to play. In this case at least, Pippen is right though. The only way Yi's going to gain any respect or have any future in the NBA is to show up and play out his contract with the Bucks. He won't get another one auditioning against chairs. This time Yi needs to go out there and prove himself.