Yang Hansen, maybe it's better for him to play in the Development League! His biggest problem was pointed out long ago by Wang Zhizhi!

Below is a passage I wrote last year.

What kind of big men does the NBA need, or rather, what kind of big men can survive in the league?

I think there are several categories, taking players as examples:

First, versatile players like Jokic and Sabonis.

They have the body, basketball IQ, and comprehensive skills, serving as the foundation of the team.

Second, stretch bigs, like Brook Lopez.

They have height and can step out to shoot threes.

To keep up with the league’s trend, they must change to survive.

Third, rim runners.

Athletic and fast, these big men excel in running the floor, grabbing rebounds, and finishing near the basket.

Representatives include Claxton, Capela, and Gafford...

Fourth, scoring-oriented big men.

For example, Wood from the Lakers.

Fifth, traditional big men.

Strong and solid, like Zubac and Valanciunas.

......

But no matter the type, you need one or two key skills to survive.

Currently, which of these does Yang Hansen excel at, any top-tier strengths?

Some of his abilities stand out domestically, but by NBA player standards, not yet.

At the most basic level, his running speed doesn’t meet the NBA’s pace requirements.

I’m sharing this not to show how much I know about basketball, but just as an ordinary fan.

However, this is based on years of watching and summarizing NBA games.

Yang Hansen being picked 16th overall exceeded my expectations and brought great encouragement to Chinese fans.

But honestly, my psychological expectations for him were quite low.

So, I’m not really disappointed at this moment.

After watching so many games, I roughly understand what kind of competition and pace the 2025 NBA has, and what physical demands are placed on players.

This is very different from the NBA pace that Wang Zhizhi and Yao Ming faced over 20 years ago, and the demands for big men have been evolving.

As a Chinese fan, I understand the simple hope that Yang does well, but frankly, his current ability does not meet the standard.

Look at Chinese social media this past week—how many fans have been blaming the Trail Blazers for not giving him opportunities? From Billups to Sprewell?

Complaining about 4-5 minutes of playing time? Complaining about lack of ball possession?

As self-media, venting such emotions surely attracts traffic.

But that pursuit is not about being realistic.

Even our commentators fail to speak honestly.

So who dares to tell the truth?

Wang Zhizhi.

In May this year, when commenting on Yang Hansen’s NBA prospects, he said frankly:

“As a coach, praise alone is meaningless; the first thing I see are the problems.”

“Modern basketball demands high speed from centers; his mobility still needs improvement. Having skills is not enough; he must adapt to fast-paced offense and defense. If his speed can’t keep up, he will be very passive in intense competition.”

“You can’t expect a 19-year-old to run fast breaks, so how would you expect that at 29?”

Time has proven everything that Wang Zhizhi said back then.

I’m not mocking, but I want to ask those criticizing the Trail Blazers and coaches:

“Have they given him chances? Then what?”

Sprewell, as a new coach, needs wins to build trust, yet he gave this rookie 7 minutes and 22 seconds in the first half—that’s already generous, right?

On offense, drawing a foul on Ayton and two successful screens by Gortat to open lanes for teammates were highlights.

Missing open threes is unfortunate but understandable.

What’s hardest to accept is the defense being shredded...

Ayton and Little’s pick-and-rolls against Yang Hansen hit their shots every time, growing more confident, making him a target.

A few days ago, Curry exploited a mismatch against him, which seemed normal, but if this is Yang Hansen’s defensive level, many NBA perimeter players could also become “Curry” against him.

It reminded me of the nervousness I felt as a student when constantly being called on by teachers...

One more weakness Yang Hansen currently has is his defensive positioning.

Regardless of coaching instructions, he must first do his own job well before helping teammates—that’s basic logic.

How can he give Ayton such easy chances? This is a problem of positioning and movement speed.

Simply put, you can’t treat NBA centers like CBA centers who don’t defend inside the paint.

Our league’s best defender performing like this in the NBA defense... if you say there’s no gap, that’s false.

I’m only speaking from a fan’s perspective and don’t know the Trail Blazers’ plans.

Yao Ming didn’t break out until Game 8, so Yang Hansen definitely needs time and patience.

But a few final points:

1. Rowe is close to returning and is regaining form in the Development League.

Yang Hansen, playing the same position, should feel urgency.

A classic line from Zhang Chi in "Pegasus 2": “I’ve tried countless times, but opportunities only come once or twice.”

2. Chinese fans need to understand this.

Developing key players is not just about giving them plenty of playing time, but also involves systematic training investment, off-court resources, and long-term development plans.

If Yang Hansen gets 20 minutes today, he might easily lose confidence.

I don’t know if schools still group classes by grades, but by our school logic: forcing a weak student into an advanced class would make them miserable and unable to keep up.

Pushing too hard often causes harm.

3. Should he play in the Development League?

The Development League season should start next month. If Yang Hansen is sent down, don’t be surprised or angry.

In the NBA, even second and third overall picks have been sent down; it’s nothing shameful.

Running with those big prospects might actually be beneficial for Yang Hansen.