Yi feels the eyes of a nation on two continents

Yi Jianlian's play has been one of the few bright spots this season for the Nets.

This stopped being simply about new hope for Yi Jianlian, the Nets and their current home in New Jersey and intended base in New York City -- a former lottery pick, a multi-million dollar operation as part of a multi-billion dollar enterprise, a massive metropolitan area -- about the time Yao Ming said his foot hurt.

That's all it took for the importance of Yi's 2009-10 development to spin into something more along the lines of global, complete with long-distance pressures Yao has faced for years, only without the success Yao has enjoyed.

The Rockets' center was hurt, China needed a new home-grown NBA rooting interest, and there weren't exactly a lot of choices.

So, welcome to the moment, Yi.

Stepping up to it puts an entirely different perspective on what otherwise would have been a worthwhile local update. The progression would obviously have been noted and cheered back home as Yi is already a very recognizable sports figure in the most-populous nation in the world. But Yao playing equals Yao dominating the basketball headlines.

And since, therefore, Yao not playing equals massive vacuum, tracking Yi's improvement moved from a prideful development in China to imperative for a country with a growing relationship with the NBA. Statistically, the evidence of forward movement is undeniable. But just try getting many people outside the front office in East Rutherford, N.J., to notice it, or, come to think of it, notice anything good about the Nets in their smoldering season.

For the record, Yi said he does not feel the pressure, whether to finally make any impact after a slow start to the career that began as the No. 6 pick in 2007 by the Bucks or to fill the basketball void in his native land. He concedes people -- in Milwaukee, in New Jersey/New York, in China -- have been waiting a long time for him to move the needle like this. That is not the same, though, as sensing the eyes of a nation upon him.

The motivation is that "We're in a tough situation right now as a player. In other ways, it's pretty good experience. You've got to fight for it. You've got to try to work together, try to win some games." Life as a Net being the challenge, not the new life as the Chinese flag bearer.

But, said Yong Wang, who has spent years traveling North America to chronicle Yi's career for the Chinese Web site sohu.com: "It's very important for him and for fans in China. Yao is out for the whole season, and they're watching Yi. It is the only Chinese player in the NBA. That's the significant thing for all the fans. They're watching other games and love the league, but they need the Chinese element. That is very important for every fan. You watch NBA superstars. They also want to watch NBA Chinese superstars.

"They can say, 'Wow, that's Yi finally coming out.' For us, he's not playing for himself. He plays for the whole country. That's the difference between Yi and the other NBA players. You can say Pau Gasol, he plays good. He plays for himself and also plays for Spain. Yi is the same. The same background on some things. Yi plays with a lot of pressure, especially after Yao was out."

The Yi-Gasol comparison comes with obvious differences. Spain has much greater NBA representation -- there's two Gasols alone, plus Jose Calderon, Rudy Fernandez and Sergio Rodriguez. China has Yao and his uncertain future plus Yi. Also, Spain is also very prominent in international basketball while China is still developing credibility.

Against the backdrop of any global comparison, Yi has progressed into one of the closest things to a Nets bright spots in a 3-40 season. He still hasn't developed a consistent shot and defense remains a problem, but an aggressive, mobile 7-footer who scores at power forward is a decent piece alongside Brook Lopez, the best center out of the draft last season.

Yi in 2007-08, as a rookie with the Bucks: 66 games, 25 minutes per game, 8.6 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, 42.1 percent from the field.

Yi in 2008-09, after being traded to the Nets: 61 games, 23.3 mpg, 8.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 38.2 percent from the field.

Yi in 2009-10, while missing 24 outings due to injury: 19 games, 33.5 mpg, 15.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 42.1 percent from the field.

"I'm trying every night to go and try to do my best," he said. "Work hard, play hard. I'm kind of learning every game."

Filling a void as he goes.