Although the CBA has quickly imposed a suspension and fine on Zhao Rui for shoving a referee, a video posted by fans showing Xinjiang Flying Tigers head coach Liu Wei insulting Yu Dehao during a game has once again brought this incident into the limelight. Last season, Yu Dehao was still playing for Xinjiang, and despite criticism from fans about his shooting ability, he was a key contributor to Xinjiang's return to the finals after many years. Now, Coach Liu Wei uses insulting language towards Yu Dehao, leaving one to wonder what Xinjiang fans and Yu Dehao think about it.
However, in this game, Yu Dehao managed to shoot 3 out of 4 under pressure, contributing a much higher shooting percentage than his career average, which was crucial to Shandong's victory. In Coach Liu Wei's view, allowing Yu Dehao to shoot from outside was part of the team's defensive strategy, but Yu Dehao's high shooting percentage proved them wrong. The phrase "learning from shame to become brave" fits Yu Dehao perfectly. After experiencing ups and downs, Yu Dehao may experience a rebirth with Shandong. Meanwhile, Xinjiang's coaching staff doesn't need to get worked up over losing, as the team's strength is evident. As long as they maintain a complete roster, Xinjiang will remain among the championship contenders.
After completing physical examinations and signing contracts, Zhejiang Guangsha's new recruit Bo Ban will make his debut in the match against Beikong. Beikong's lineup includes three major frontcourt players: Salinge, Shen Zijie, and Zou Yuchen, which will test Bo Ban's abilities. However, according to Guangsha head coach Wang Bo, Bo Ban is not a conventional weapon due to his slow footwork, making him vulnerable to guards. Therefore, he will only be used at specific times or against specific opponents.
With Zhejiang Guangsha's current roster configuration, replacing Knight and Carton with a swingman, combined with the luxurious domestic player lineup, would make them the hottest contender for the title. Currently, Zhejiang Guangsha is temporarily ranked first in the standings, and their upcoming schedule is quite favorable. The only thing to watch out for is preventing injuries to key players during the regular season. Additionally, Coach Wang Bo needs to try more combinations of personnel to prepare for tough battles in the playoffs.
After narrowly defeating Tianjin Steel at home, Guangdong Southern Tigers are considering replacing their foreign players. Even Les, who failed to prove himself in training, will be cut, and the team will prioritize choosing a ball-dominant small foreign player to rotate with Xu Jie. Currently, all three of Guangdong's foreign players are primarily interior players, which reflects an imbalance in recruitment that directly affects the games, especially in the final quarter when other teams rely on their small foreign players to score, while Guangdong can only rely on the 38-year-old interior player Jilunwote. Under double-teaming from opponents, Jilunwote's scoring efficiency is low, so bringing in a capable small foreign player is urgent and will determine Guangdong's regular-season ranking.
According to Guangzhou Long-Lions Club news, Guo Ailun, who has been resting for nearly a month due to a leg injury, is set to return. During Guo Ailun's absence, Guangzhou suffered several defeats, with many games having single-digit point differences, sometimes only losing by one or two points. This clearly indicates the team's need for an experienced player, and Guo Ailun's individual ability is exactly what head coach Mitchell expects. Another significant addition, Ding Yanhang, has also been actively preparing for the physical test makeup recently. Once he passes, he will be able to join the team as well. It is believed that these two former All-Star players, Guo Ailun and Ding Yanhang, can lead the young Guangzhou team out of their slump as soon as possible.