Q: At what point do the Milwaukee Bucks finally give in and trade Yi, instead of letting him sit out the season and re-enter the draft, and getting nothing in return for their top 6 pick?
— Travis, Honolulu

A: Never, never, never, never. Have I made myself clear on this one? First of all, he can't re-enter the draft unless he sits out the entire season and doesn't play basketball anywhere in the world. He is in no position to do that with the Olympics coming up in China next summer. But this is bigger than the Bucks. This is about the entire NBA system. Yes, players have pulled this stunt before, Danny Ferry going to Europe, Steve Francis saying he didn't want to play in Vancouver. But the system is set up to try to ensure fair play and a level playing field. You can't have players dictating where they want to go. It was good enough for Michael Jordan, Karl Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the latter winning a championship in Milwaukee. Yes, he eventually left, as Yi can after four years when he becomes a free agent. Hey, how about proving yourself first? The Bucks owe it to all the small market teams to fight this one. If Yi wants to play in the NBA, he plays for the Bucks. If he wants to stay in the China league, that's his choice. The Bucks will survive. But they believe he has a chance to be a star, and it would be worse for the franchise if they are right and let him go. Plus, no one is about to offer much for a kid who hasn't proven anything but is proving to be something of a problem to deal with. Hang in there, Bucks. Don't ever trade this guy.

Q: The Kevin Garnett trade must be great for Boston! Nevertheless, although KG hates losing, I am not sure he knows how to win, which is different. Do you think KG will learn HOW to win before he is too old to effect a game?
— Brian Dale, Denver

A: I don't know how much he hates to lose as he's seemed quite comfortable with it in Minnesota and apparently was even willing to reup again with a franchise going nowhere. It turned out they finally got tired of paying him to miss the playoffs. It's not that Garnett doesn't know how to win; it's that he's not good enough. He's what they call a three quarter player. He gets you to the fourth quarter with his great all-around skills, but can't take you home. Now in Paul Pierce and Ray Allen he has teammates again (Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell the only previous) who can finish a game for him. Stephon Marbury probably could have, but made the mistake of leaving too soon. They're not deep enough to be a true championship threat, but Garnett should help make them a serious competitor. I like the move.

Q: Will the acquisition of Ike Udoka from Portland be a significant factor for the NBA champs down the road or an instant factor for their defense? Will he eventually replace Bruce Bowen at the three spot? Is he that good defensively?
— Ignacio Moran, Pompano Beach, Fla.

A: I know about the Garnett deal, but not this one. I've heard Udoka mentioned in connection with the Spurs, but there hasn't been a signing yet. Yes, presumably, he would fit the profile of that Bowen type of defender and the book on him is he'll be a good defender. But it takes a special work ethic to do what Bowen does. Many good defenders have more talent than Bowen, but he has a special will that you don't find until the crucial parts of the game and over a season.

Q: How do NBA teams hire their scouting personnel? The reason that I ask is because as a fan that has a true love of the game, I don't understand how certain teams continue to miss the boat in the talent evaluation process.
— Jason, Willoughby Hills, Ohio

A: It's more difficult than you think. As a fan, it's easy to pick a player and decide he'll be good, and then if you are wrong, oh, well. Did you get Amare Stoudemire? Tony Parker? Manu Ginobili? Gilbert Arenas? Carlos Boozer? The general managers are responsible for the selections, so they scout as well. And they generally make the final choice. Most teams have numerous scouts, who send in reports, and often there are multiple opinions on whom to select. The general managers break the ties. The scouts are generally former players and people who work their way up in the field. It's an imperfect science and no one ever has gotten them all right. Except the fans and media.

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