Shandong Team Faces a Major Crisis as Key Players Gaili, Guo Kai, and Gao Shiyan Suffer Injuries, Testing Coach Qiu Biao's Capabilities
Shandong team has recently impressed with their performance, especially on the defensive end, which has been remarkable.
Despite initial skepticism from many, Shandong has emerged as a dark horse, with their strength rapidly increasing.
Their defense is well-recognized within the league, particularly in terms of steals, where they are unmatched.
Furthermore, their rebounding, especially on the offensive boards, has shown significant improvement, effectively neutralizing opponents' second-wave attacks throughout games.
The new additions to the team have been like divine reinforcements—Guo Kai's arrival has significantly strengthened the frontline, while Chris has contributed more scoring and rebounding support.
The arrivals of Yu Dehao and Gaili, along with the growth of Chen Peidong and the addition of Xie Zhijie, have injected fresh energy into the team.
However, as Shandong's momentum grew, no one could have predicted the major crisis they would face—several key players suffering injuries, causing great concern! Gaili, although performing somewhat during matches, surprisingly requested to be substituted in a critical moment due to an incomplete recovery from a leg injury.
Gao Shiyan, who gave his all in the game, failed to score throughout and had difficulty shooting, which can be seen as fate playing tricks on him. His recurring injuries and complete physical exhaustion made him a liability on the defensive end.
As for Guo Kai, he missed the game entirely due to injury, significantly weakening the team's frontline.
The injuries to these three core players have placed immense pressure on Shandong's lineup, leading to a noticeable drop in defensive intensity, rebounding protection, and most detrimentally, tactical flexibility.
During crucial moments of the game, while some players tried their best, the absence of several mainstays left the team's overall strength significantly lacking.
During the game, it was evident that Gao Shiyan contributed little, missing shots, and Gaili, hindered by his injury, could not sustain his performance, leaving other players to desperately fill the gaps.
At this point, the performance of role players became crucial.
Yu Dehao, for instance, has been in hot form recently, consistently scoring double digits and frequently hitting three-pointers, becoming one of the team's leaders in critical moments. Some even speculate that he might be aiming for an MVP.
We've also witnessed the efforts of Chen Peidong and Xie Zhijie, though their performances were slightly lacking, they were undoubtedly giving their all.
However, considering their youth, it will take time for them to truly step up.
The future challenges are numerous.
If these injuries do not improve, it remains a big question whether Shandong can maintain their top position in the league in upcoming games.
With Guo Kai, Gao Shiyan, and Gaili's injuries unresolved, Coach Qiu Biao must quickly adjust tactics, manage the players' physical condition, and minimize the risk of further injuries.
Otherwise, it's not just about maintaining their place in the league; avoiding falling behind would be a victory in itself.
Some netizens commented, "The tactical adjustments for Shandong are indeed crucial. Whether Coach Qiu Biao can handle the injuries with ease is extremely important. He needs to focus more on rotations, especially for those players whose injuries haven't fully recovered, requiring more meticulous physical management." The difficulty of such adjustments is evident, especially considering the current depth of the roster, so caution is essential.
Shandong's progress this season cannot be overlooked; they have defeated strong teams like Xinjiang, Guangdong, and Beijing, demonstrating their capabilities to everyone.
However, injuries have become the biggest obstacle, testing both the team's depth and Coach Qiu Biao's adaptability.
We hope the team can quickly readjust their state, especially the young players, who should bravely take on more responsibility.
The challenges in the upcoming games are even greater, and whether they can go further depends on whether the team can find solutions in the face of crises.