CBA Draft: A Stage for Geniuses or a Trap for Potential?
After watching Guangzhou Longtai Hai Ben's away victory over Jiangsu Kediania, many people couldn't help but ask: Is the CBA draft a stage for geniuses or a trap that buries potential? Li Xiangbo scored 16 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, made 2 assists, and had 2 steals, delivering a perfect performance. This former second-round pick has now proven his worth on the court, completely embarrassing those who once underestimated him. Especially Shandong team, who chose Zheng Xiaoyao instead of Li Xiangbo, which now seems like a decision that backfired.
In the game, Guangzhou not only ended their 11-game losing streak, but Li Xiangbo also became the highlight of the match with his individual efforts. He is not a traditional star player; in fact, he didn't even have the qualifications to enter the first round of the draft. But this once underrated young player has now shown a growth rate beyond expectations. Behind this is both personal effort and the cultivation of the team. The "after-effects" of Shandong missing out on him are slowly coming to light.
At the 2019 CBA draft conference, Li Xiangbo was selected by the Guangdong team in the second round. At that time, his ranking was so low that almost no one paid attention. For a player who did not perform outstandingly in college, many team management believed that he might find it difficult to establish himself on the CBA court. However, facts have proved that "gold will always shine," and his low draft position not only did not hold him back but became the motivation for him to continuously break through his own limits.
Now, Li Xiangbo has become the hope of Guangzhou's frontcourt. With excellent physical quality, a tough playing style, and unafraid of confrontation, he can maintain efficiency at both ends of the attack and defense. Especially his rebounding ability and defensive awareness have brought great help to the team.
In the game against Jiangsu, he and Jiao Boqiao formed a "young twin tower," making it difficult for opponents to deal with both inside defense and offensive threats.
It is worth mentioning that Guangzhou's record is not ideal, yet Li Xiangbo stands out in such a team, indicating that his potential is far from accidental. Many people even compare him to Guo Kai, believing that he might become the backbone of the new generation of frontcourt players. For Shandong, seeing Li Xiangbo's current performance must be both envious and regretful.
Shandong chose Zheng Xiaoyao in the draft and gave up on Li Xiangbo, which may have been based on short-term team needs at the time.
After all, Zheng Xiaoyao had immediate fighting power and seemed to fit better into the team's tactical system. However, judging from the current performance, this choice appears somewhat conservative.
Shandong's frontcourt is now centered around Guo Kai, who is indeed an indispensable main force for the team. However, Guo Kai has been plagued by frequent injuries in recent seasons, with fluctuating form. In the absence of sufficient depth in the frontcourt, Shandong should have chosen a potential newcomer to share the pressure. If they had selected Li Xiangbo at the time, he could have been a strong supplement to Guo Kai, not only increasing the lineup's depth but also providing more possibilities for the team's future development.
Of course, the draft is a process full of uncertainty, and management cannot completely foresee a player's future development. However, judging from the results, Shandong's choice this time was indeed somewhat shortsighted. Li Xiangbo has proven with his performance that a low draft position does not mean poor skills, and Shandong's regret for missing him may affect their frontcourt competitiveness in the next few years.
In the history of the CBA, players like Li Xiangbo, who were underestimated, are not unique cases. Whether it's Zhou Qi or Wang Zhelin, these talented players have also experienced controversial moments during the draft. And those teams that missed them are still paying for their decisions to this day. The draft is like a gamble; if you bet right, you'll laugh until the end, but if you bet wrong, you may fall into a situation where you're unable to reach the top of the league for years.
From Li Xiangbo's case, we can see that there are indeed risks in the CBA draft rules. Most teams tend to choose immediate fighting power and overlook the long-term potential of players. However, basketball is a sport that requires long-term planning; only by injecting enough young blood into the lineup can a foundation be laid for the team's future. If Shandong had been bolder at the time and given Li Xiangbo a chance, perhaps the situation would be completely different now.
Of course, Guangzhou obviously made the right bet. Their draft strategy leans more towards uncovering potential rather than simply pursuing immediate fighting power. From Li Xiangbo to Jiao Boqiao, Guangzhou has gradually built a young frontcourt system. Although this strategy may not necessarily bring championships in the short term, it is undoubtedly wise in the long run.
In stark contrast to Shandong, Guangzhou's approach to cultivating young players is clearer. Li Xiangbo's growth is a typical example. Although the team's current record is not eye-catching, the "young twin tower" formed by him and Jiao Boqiao has shown infinite possibilities. If further optimized tactically, they have every chance of becoming the core of the frontcourt and provide reliable support for Guangzhou's future.
It is worth noting that Guangzhou's three foreign players also performed exceptionally well in this game. Warren, McCaw, and Douglas contributed a large number of points together, especially Warren, whose efficient performance after returning has given the team another powerful "trump card."
However, foreign players are always just helpers; what truly determines the future of the team are domestic players. And Li Xiangbo's rise has clearly injected a shot of adrenaline into Guangzhou.
As the games progress, Li Xiangbo's performance is becoming increasingly stable. His sense of rebounding, defensive judgment, and offensive techniques are gradually maturing. This game's performance may just be the beginning, but it is certain that his potential is being gradually realized.
The draft is like this: choosing correctly makes you a hero, and choosing incorrectly leaves you with bitter fruit to swallow. Shandong's "mistake" this time shows us that in the basketball world, talent and potential are incredibly valuable, and the foresight of management is crucial. As for Li Xiangbo, he tells us with a wonderful performance that regardless of draft position, what truly determines the future is the player's own efforts and persistence.
And for other CBA teams, the lesson from the draft is: don't limit your vision to immediate fighting power; sometimes, a "potential stock" can be more valuable than a "finished product."