Fan Ziming, in essence, is just a tall guy who always gives people the impression of being neither up nor down when playing basketball. Despite having such good conditions, he just can't seem to perform well, and recently, his days with the Beijing team haven't been going too well either.
In the recent match between Beijing and Zhejiang, Fan Ziming was like a headless fly on the court, aimlessly running around. Even though Zhou Qi was already exhausted, Fan couldn't provide much help and instead allowed the opponents to catch up in points, causing quite a headache for the coaching staff.
Off the court, Fan Ziming actually trains quite hard, often practicing late into the night. However, this effort seems to yield little results, much like his top-tier salary contract that looks impressive but may not be all it's cracked up to be.
In this game, he only played for 9 minutes, shooting 5 times and making 2 baskets. The statistics aren't terrible, but considering his high salary, expectations for him are naturally higher than for ordinary substitute players.
Zhou Qi performed well on the court, scoring 18 points with 8 out of 12 shots. Fan Ziming watched from the sidelines, probably feeling quite bitter, as he used to be the main center for the team.
The most amusing part was when he scored a goal during garbage time and celebrated as if he had won the championship, leaving fans unsure whether to laugh or cry.
The coaching staff is now in a tough spot. They can't completely give up on him due to his high salary, but continuing to use him is also problematic as he keeps letting them down.
Fan Ziming's current situation is indeed quite awkward. With Zhou Qi's return, his position has become even more precarious, to the point where even Solomon and Qiu Tian can snatch away his playing time.
This season, Fan Ziming has played 22 games, averaging 7.6 points per game. For other players, this statistic wouldn't be considered bad, but he is on a top salary.
His shooting accuracy is actually quite good at 56.3%, but the problem is that he only attempts a few shots per game, seemingly playing very cautiously, as if afraid of making mistakes.
On the training ground, Fan Ziming is often the last one to leave, but this effort doesn't seem to translate into performance during matches, which is a headache for the coaching staff.
As a state-owned enterprise team, Beijing must consider various aspects when dealing with such issues. It's not easy to justify sidelining a top-salary player.
Every time Fan Ziming steps onto the court, he appears extremely nervous, as if afraid of making another mistake. This mentality affects his performance, creating a vicious cycle.
The coaching staff is trying to find ways to help him regain his form, but with the fast pace of the game, they can't afford to give him too much time to adjust.
Fans' attitudes towards Fan Ziming are becoming increasingly impatient. After all, a top-salary player should act like one, but his current performance is indeed disappointing.
If Fan Ziming fails to regain his form, the team might really have to consider terminating his contract early, although this would be embarrassing, it's better than continuing this way.
Beijing's current situation is also quite awkward. At the beginning of the season, they thought they could steadily enter the finals, but now it seems there are many difficulties, with Zhou Qi and Chen Yingjun's injuries already causing headaches.
If Fan Ziming can regain his form, it would indeed be beneficial for the team, but given the current situation, this expectation seems too high.
The coaching staff is also considering changing his usage method, such as focusing on defense or playing more simply.
Fan Ziming's psychological state is clearly problematic; every time he steps onto the court, he appears particularly anxious, as if eager to prove himself, which ironically leads to worse performance.
The team's medical team and psychological counselors are also helping him, but these things can't be rushed and require time for gradual adjustment.
Given Fan Ziming's talent and physical conditions, he is undoubtedly one of the best in the CBA, yet he just can't seem to deliver despite such favorable conditions.
Now, young players in the team are rapidly improving. If Fan Ziming doesn't adjust his state soon, he might really be marginalized.
For Beijing, Fan Ziming's issue is indeed a conundrum. If not handled well, it could affect the team's morale and locker room atmosphere.