Shanghai Men's Basketball Team's 12-game winning streak is impressive, but can they maintain it?
The Shanghai men's basketball team has achieved an impressive 12-game winning streak. This team, which struggled at the beginning of the season and was once close to the bottom of the rankings, has suddenly become a "dark horse." More surprisingly, this team has directly climbed to the 12th position in the CBA with this winning streak, and some even predict that they have a chance to enter the top four. However, without Lofton, would this "miracle" have happened? Is it one person saving the team, or has the team truly transformed? These questions are worth exploring.
Let's start with Lofton, the young player whose talent is as high as the sky despite not being particularly tall. He has earned the title of "team engine" on the court. With 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists, he almost achieved a triple-double, and such statistics have become commonplace for him. When his teammates pass him the ball, he can deliver a brilliant counterattack; when the game needs a solution to a stalemate, he can suddenly come up with a brilliant pass. Lofton's presence is equivalent to liberating the Shanghai men's basketball team from a "stuck" state.
Don't underestimate these numbers; they are not just simple "data padding." Many foreign players in the CBA are used to fighting alone, focusing only on scoring high points and grabbing attention. However, Lofton is completely different. Not only does he score himself, but he also connects the entire team like a high-speed engine, activating players like Wang Zhelin and Li Hongquan one by one.
Especially Wang Zhelin - in the past, the impression of the Shanghai team was that one person carried the load, working hard like a bricklayer, but now he is no longer helpless. As fans say, "After Lofton arrived, even the air became smoother." Interestingly, statistical data shows that Lofton's average points, assists, and rebounds rank among the top in all foreign players in the CBA. This indicates that he is not only stable but also comprehensive. Do you think he is just a scorer? No, he is more like the "brain" of the team. With him, the Shanghai team runs faster and smoother.
Of course, miracles never rely solely on the performance of one person. In addition to Lofton's brilliance, another highlight of the Shanghai men's basketball team's winning streak is the comprehensive upgrade in team cooperation. If the team's previous performance was like scattered sand, now it has "gathered into a force."
Take Wang Zhelin as an example; this local "big guy" has always been criticized for not being able to carry the team, with each game resembling a solo battle and lacking someone to assist him. Now, with Lofton's arrival, he actively helps attract firepower, greatly increasing his offensive opportunities. Looking at the backcourt players Li Hongquan and Li Tianrong, these two young players' growth speed has skyrocketed - with Lofton connecting the whole court, the young players play more freely and decisively.
In fact, the overall change of the team is inseparable from the wisdom of the head coach. At the beginning of the season, the Shanghai team played slow and heavy, often led by their opponents. Now, the coaching staff has adjusted their tactics, focusing on quick counterattacks and rhythm changes. This strategy is actually very suitable for Lofton and Wang Zhelin's styles - one is good at passing, and the other is strong inside. Once they establish chemistry, the other players follow suit, and the game comes alive.
This change has also made fans fall in love with the Shanghai team again: "The games are now more enjoyable to watch, with a faster pace, and it's too exciting!" Some say that a winning streak is just luck, and continuous victories prove strength. So, does the Shanghai men's basketball team have the potential to challenge the top four in the CBA? Judging from their current record, the Shanghai team, ranked 12th, has two make-up game opportunities. Theoretically, if they perform well in both, they are fully capable of climbing higher. Moreover, this year's CBA league competition is exceptionally fierce, with not much difference in strength between the top teams. Seizing opportunities, the Shanghai team may be able to squeeze into the top four.
However, the reality is also harsh - most of the games the Shanghai team has played so far have been against mid-to-lower-ranked teams. If they face stronger opponents in the future, whether Lofton can continue his outstanding form and whether other players can perform stably in high-intensity games are unknowns. Moreover, the current Shanghai men's basketball team still has some weaknesses, such as defensive stability and outside shooting, which could become "fatal flaws" against top teams.
More than one person has asked if Lofton's outstanding performance could serve as a stepping stone for him to return to the NBA. This is a good question. Looking back at history, the CBA has indeed been a stage for many foreign players to return to the NBA. For example, Jarnell Stokes and Jeremy Lin both gained the favor of NBA teams through their excellent performances in the CBA. The same is true for Lofton today; his versatility and ability to lead the team are traits valued by the NBA. Even NBA scouts have commented on Lofton, saying he is "young, talented, and fits the modern basketball style."
However, the fact is that there is a significant gap in game intensity and competitive level between the CBA and the NBA. If Lofton really wants to return to the NBA, he needs to maintain higher stability in key games and improve his intensity in confrontations. This is not to say that his abilities are insufficient, but rather that this path is not easy.
Looking beyond this season's winning streak, the focus of everyone's attention is whether the Shanghai men's basketball team can sustain their progress. This team cannot always rely on the traditional mindset of "relying on foreign aid to win," or they will easily fall into the cycle of "foreign aid pushing, foreign aid leaving, and then collapsing."
It is worth noting that Shanghai's local players have indeed begun to show promising potential, with young players like Li Hongquan and Li Tianrong catching up. However, the team needs to do much more than this - they need to build a true "iron-blooded system" and cultivate more local core players who can withstand pressure and stand out in critical moments. This is the long-term plan. From the glory of the Yao Ming era to the mediocre performance in recent years, the Shanghai men's basketball team has returned to the public eye with Lofton's performance. However, the real challenge has just begun.
The 12-game winning streak has created a miracle for the Shanghai men's basketball team, but can the miracle last? This question is more intriguing than victory itself and offers a more anticipated answer.