Yang Hansen isn’t running from the noise. If anything, he sounds ready to lean into it.
The Trail Blazers center said the biggest criticism he hears comes from China, where expectations have been heavy as he heads into his second NBA season. But Yang told Rose Garden Report’s Sean Highkin that he doesn’t see that as a burden he needs to avoid.
“American fans are more encouraging,” h e said. “Everybody I meet tells me, ‘Welcome to Portland’ and ‘Good luck with the season.’
In China, because everybody wants me to play well, they want to push me more. There’s more pressure.”
That pressure has followed Yang since Portland picked him No. 16 overall last year. His rookie season was uneven: 43 games, one start, 7.0 minutes per game, 2.2 points, 1.5 rebounds and a 31 percent mark from the field. He also spent more time in the G League than in the NBA, something that drew plenty of criticism back home.
According to Highkin, some on social media called him lazy and fat. Others treated his G League time as a sign of failure and said he was letting down his family and his country.
Yang, though, said he doesn’t read it that way.
“I like to read it,” Yang said. “Everybody [in China] is tough on me because they want me to play better.
I’m their hope. I look at it in a calmer and less negative way.
The reason people take time to write comments is because they want me to be better on the court.”
He said he wants to prove those critics wrong, but he isn’t bothered by the weight of those expectations.
“I think it’s good,” he said. “It’s pressure for me, but everybody has pressure. It’s not bad to have pressure.”
There were signs of progress in Summer League, where Yang played four games and averaged 13.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 blocks in 24.0 minutes. The turnovers were still an issue at 4.2 per game, but he also said he has dropped weight and is in better shape.
“I feel much better,” he said. “I’m faster.
My pick-and-roll defense and rebounding I think are much better. Basketball is a contact game.
My body is stronger.”
Yang also sounded encouraged by new head coach Micah Nori.
“He’s a good coach,” he said. “He wants to play a team game.
He teaches us to focus on the details during [practices]. I’m excited to play for him in a game.”
And he’s looking forward to sharing the floor with Damian Lillard, who was recovering from an Achilles tendon tear last season.
“It will be easy,” he said. “He’s a very good shooter, so I just need to set good screens for him.”
After moving between the Blazers and the G League Remix last season, Yang wants a steadier home this year.
“Going from the G League to the Blazers back and forth, sometimes it’s a long flight and I have to go to the airport early,” Yang said. “That was tough.”
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