The performance of Lofton in the CBA is enough to see how low the level of Chinese basketball has fallen. It's important to recognize reality and not overestimate oneself just because one can play well in the CBA league. Once you step outside, you'll realize that you're nothing special. The CBA and NBA operate on completely different levels; it's as simple as that. Now we understand the greatness of Yao Ming back then.
Lofton is a simplified version of Jokic, with outstanding abilities across the board. However, he lacks distinct features in the NBA, where both his static and dynamic talents are average. In the CBA, though, he's at the top. The CBA is best suited for versatile players who can play a central role, orchestrate offense, and defend effectively.
The current CBA is more of a show, an entertainment spectacle. It's absurd to see teams scoring over a hundred points; this isn't a farce, is it? Players circle within their teams, coaches dart around the court, and those in their thirties act as team leaders, manipulating games like performances. Coaches bow and scrape to curry favor, undermining talent.
The NBA is the pinnacle of basketball worldwide. What is the CBA in comparison? It doesn't even measure up to the NBA's second-tier leagues, let alone European leagues. The NBA recruits Chinese players for commercial advertising effects. Based on the current level of domestic players, none of them can make it in the NBA. Despite not being signed by any NBA team, Lofton's skills far surpass those of domestic players. American training methods are far superior to those in China. Look at several Taiwanese players who trained in the United States: Chen Yingjun from Beijing, Liu Cheng from the Sharks, Lin from Tianjin, and Lin from Guangsha in the past. Their individual techniques far exceed those of domestic players.
The current domestic league is all about competing with foreign players. When a team selects good foreign players, it's like high schoolers playing against elementary school students. Look at the player rankings; I thought it was a foreign league.
Lofton joining Shanghai is a treasure for the Shanghai men's basketball team, and it also allows everyone to recognize the level of Chinese basketball.
If domestic basketball continues to develop this way, with foreign players resolving key plays, there will be no future for Chinese basketball. The level will continue to decline, eventually becoming second-rate in Asia, with rough techniques relying solely on physicality. They might still be able to compete in Asia, but once they face European and American teams, they fall apart. How can they compete with world-class teams? It's no wonder that basketball results are getting worse; this is the main reason.