It's been a fan mantra all season that Ryan Anderson would be more productive if given the time, that Yi Jianlian has been a disappointment. Some would--and have--used stronger language.
But statistics don't bare that out. The two, aged 20 and 21, have had remarkably similar seasons statistically.
Even with Anderson getting more minutes lately. Yi is averaging 23.5 minutes a game, Anderson 19.7.
So let’s even it out, shall we?
On a per 40-minutes basis, Yi has averaged 15.0 points and 9.2 rebounds. He is shooting 38.9% overall and 35.0% from deep. His high game is 27. Putting aside the 40-minute stats, in his best five game stretch, in January, Yi averaged 14.2 and 7.4.
On a per 40-minutes basis, Anderson has averaged 14.9 points and 9.3 rebounds. He is shooting 39.5% overall and 35.9% from deep. His high game is 21. Putting aside the 40-minutes stats, in his best five game stretch, in April, Anderson averaged 12.2 and 5.8.
Yi's agent, Dan Fagen, has pointed to Yi's solid performance when given minutes (30+) and shots (10+).
In the 10 games Yi has played 30-plus minutes and taken 10 or more shots, he has averaged 17.5 points, shot 47 percent, 40 from 3-point line, and 7.3 rebounds,
In the six games Anderson has played 30-plus minutes and taken 10 or more shots, he has averaged 18 points, shot 50 percent, 46.1% from the 3-point line and 8.5 rebounds.
Bottom line: Statistically, there is no real difference between what they have given the Nets...and neither has given them a lot.