The term "pseudo-strong team" is particularly apt in the context of the CBA arena. Some teams may appear to have impressive records during the regular season, but in reality, they are deceiving fans. Today, let's delve into those CBA "paper tigers" that seem shiny on the surface but lack real strength.
Speaking of the most "performative" teams in the CBA this season, Guangdong Dongguang must be among the top three. With a record of 13 wins and 11 losses, it seems average, but this team is like a schizophrenic - capable of crushing strong opponents one day and being taught a lesson by the bottom-ranked Jiangsu team the next. What's even more absurd is that when facing an injury-ridden Liaoning team with only seven players rotating, they somehow managed to play as if they were the weaker side. The addition of Morand initially gave fans hope, but the team's overall state is as unpredictable as a roller coaster, leaving spectators dizzy.
Beijing BAIC is even more interesting. Their record of 16 wins and 7 losses looks intimidating, especially after a nine-game winning streak in the first stage, which made them look like championship contenders. However, once the second stage began, their true colors were revealed. What left fans speechless was their star player Zhou Qi, who, despite earning a four-year top salary, only played in 7 games, with an attendance rate lower than that of a temporary worker. Looking at their head coach Xu Limin, he would simply say "as expected" after a loss, an attitude that makes people want to award him a trophy for being a "zen coach."
When it comes to disappointment, Beijing Beikong could be considered the biggest "joke" of the season. Behind their record of 13 wins and 10 losses lies a severely overestimated team. Before the season, many experts confidently predicted they could win the championship, but what happened? A lineup filled with national team players crumbled against strong opponents like quails. Names like Liao Sanniang, Zou Yuchen, Zhu Songwei, and Shen Zijie, when put together, produced a performance akin to "soft-footed shrimp."
Lastly, Shanghai Jushi is the epitome of "fake consecutive victories." With 12 wins and 10 losses, they recently achieved an 11-game winning streak, setting the longest winning streak record of the CBA this season. However, upon closer inspection, this 11-game winning streak is less valuable than a copper coin. Who were they playing against? Mostly league underdogs. Their real "exam" moment will come on January 14th when they face Liaoning away from home.
In essence, these teams are like watermelons sold at rural markets, shiny on the outside but hollow inside. They might be able to use some clever tactics during the regular season, but once the playoffs arrive and they encounter real strong teams, they might not even have the courage to fight back.
For these "pseudo-strong teams," netizens' evaluations are incisive. Some say, "These teams are like street vendor goods, looking okay from afar, but the flaws show up upon closer inspection." Other fans helplessly express, "Nowadays in the CBA, it's hard to tell who the real strong teams are and who are just good actors."
Ultimately, a true strong team cannot be fooled by good-looking statistics alone. Without solid strength, tenacious will, and stable performance, even with impressive records, they can only be "paper tigers."
Dear basketball fans, which of these teams do you think has the potential to create miracles in the playoffs? Or are they really just "pseudo-strong teams," or perhaps underrated? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section for discussion.