The battle between Liaoning and Guangdong has concluded, but discussions about the game continue to be a hot topic. During Li Xiaoxu's free throw, Jilunwote's public complaint was picked up by the live broadcast, roughly translating to, "I want to retire; this is terrible; it's like this every game!" This statement has elicited various interpretations from different fans.
Some fans believe that Jilunwote is expressing dissatisfaction with the team management and coaching staff. Throughout the season, Jilunwote has consistently played the most minutes among foreign players, yet he joined the team as the third foreign player, earning less than Molland and Bazley. Naturally, this situation breeds resentment when working the hardest for the least pay!
Others argue that Jilunwote's comment is clearly directed at the referees. He had just been called for a defensive foul while guarding Li Xiaoxu, possibly even a three-point shooting foul. Jilunwote has a history of voicing his displeasure with refereeing decisions, sometimes even confronting them face-to-face. Therefore, it's evident that he's complaining about the officiating!
In my opinion, Jilunwote's target is unmistakably the referees and their calls. The game was fiercely contested, a critical moment for Guangdong's scoring efforts, where Jilunwote exerted himself fully, even diving outside the three-point line to block Li Xiaoxu's shot! Moreover, since joining the team, Jilunwote has been a model worker, praised by both Du Feng and the fans for his rigorous training regimen, often being the first to warm up before each game. Not to mention, he scored 21 points in the second half single-handedly, keeping the game suspenseful. Thus, he has no reason to complain about the team's management or coaching!
While Jilunwote remains diligent, the same cannot be said for Reese. According to media reports, Reese has expressed dissatisfaction with the team. He didn't even appear on the bench during the match against Liaoning, and some fans reported not seeing him after the team returned to Dongguan from an away game.
This situation isn't surprising, as the team hasn't shown much respect for Reese's addition. He arrived for a trial during the home game against Shanghai but wasn't taken along for the subsequent two away games in Jiangsu. Instead, he traveled separately to meet the team there the next day. Even after his agency officially announced his signing with Guangdong, the team delayed registering him until after the 24th, ten days after he joined them!
Let's look at what Du Feng did after the registration. In the game against Zhejiang, Reese made his first appearance on the roster. Due to the close contest, he didn't get many chances, but he remained positive during his brief minutes on the court.
The issue arose in the subsequent game against Jilin, Reese's second appearance on the roster, where he didn't receive even a second of playing time. With the game losing suspense in the first half and the lead widening to over 40 points in the second half, Reese still didn't get a chance to play, even as the team used an all-Chinese lineup in the final quarter. Objectively speaking, Du Feng's approach is problematic!
Even if Reese's abilities are limited, and Du Feng publicly stated that he only needed someone to cover for a month regardless of skill level, once you sign someone, you should at least give them a chance to prove themselves! Signing someone and not using them defeats the purpose of the signing.