This season, when it comes to who is the biggest dark horse team in the CBA, many people would probably choose Shanxi Men's Basketball Team. After all, they have been on a winning streak, defeating teams like Guangdong, Liaoning, Beijing, and Guangsha, with their record ranking in the top four of the standings, firmly placing them in the first-tier teams. However, besides Shanxi Men's Basketball Team, another dark horse has emerged in the CBA. They had a 1-9 record in the first stage, ranking at the bottom, but in the second stage, the team has transformed, achieving a remarkable 12-game winning streak, showing great potential to enter the first tier.
Seeing a 12-game winning streak, everyone probably knows which team I'm referring to. Yes, it's Shanghai Men's Basketball Team. In the first stage of this season, Shanghai Men's Basketball Team encountered various problems, resulting in poor performance and a 1-9 record, ranking last in the league. However, in the second stage, the team brought in a new coach, Lu Wei, along with the return of Wang Zhelin and the arrival of foreign players, significantly enhancing the team's overall strength, and they have now achieved a 12-game winning streak.
Shanghai's ability to achieve a 12-game winning streak is not only due to the head coach and foreign players but also thanks to the contributions of two young players. This season, they have been in excellent form, with incredibly accurate shooting, playing a key role in the team's victories. For those who don't follow Shanghai Men's Basketball Team closely, you may not be familiar with them, so let me introduce them to you.
These two young players are named Li Tianrong and Li Hongquan, also known as the "Double Li Combination." Li Tianrong is 24 years old, standing at 198cm tall, with outstanding athletic abilities, often performing powerful dunks, earning him the nickname "Little Westbrook" from fans. This season, he has played 23 games for Shanghai Men's Basketball Team, averaging 30.9 minutes per game, scoring 16 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, and providing 2 assists, with a shooting percentage of 54.3%, averaging 2.7 three-pointers per game, and a three-point shooting percentage of 50.4%. Among domestic players, his average score ranks seventh, his shooting percentage is first among guards, and his three-point shooting percentage is the highest in the entire league, with an efficiency that can only be described as terrifying.
Li Hongquan is equally inspiring. He is 23 years old, 198cm tall, and weighs 102kg. Starting as a player who relied solely on physical play, he has gradually developed into an all-around forward by continuously enriching his offensive skills, especially in outside shooting. This season, Li Hongquan has delivered the best performance of his career. He has played 22 games, averaging 35.7 minutes per game, scoring 15.5 points, grabbing 6.3 rebounds, providing 2.2 assists, and making 1.2 steals, with a shooting percentage of 47.6%, averaging 2.7 three-pointers per game, and a three-point shooting percentage of 40.8%. In the two games this week, he averaged 41 minutes per game, contributing 25.5 points, 8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, with a three-point shooting percentage of 54.2%, averaging 6.5 three-pointers per game, helping the team achieve a 12-game winning streak. Due to his outstanding performance, he was directly named the CBA Player of the Week for Week Eight by the CBA officials.
In the second stage, Shanghai Men's Basketball Team is unstoppable, and the "Double Li Combination" is indeed accurate.