The creativity of fans is endless, and a jestful phrase like "Northern Expedition" has gradually become a reality from its initial teasing. Once upon a time, the Shanghai men's basketball team was like a lost remnant army on the battlefield, performing very miserably. However, at the turning point of fate, they were awakened like sleeping giants, beginning to display their powerful dominance.
When the Shanghai men's basketball team embarked on the "Northern Expedition," fans used a creative image to depict their journey: The Shanghai Sharks transformed into a Grim Reaper wielding a scythe, striding menacingly towards their opponents, ready to defeat them one by one. This was originally just a product of imaginative fan culture, but it turned out that the team really started a winning streak. Especially after defeating the Beijing Enterprises Group (BEG) team away, their winning streak reached an astonishing 14 consecutive victories, which became a highlight of this season's CBA.
Whether the Shanghai men's basketball team can continue this winning streak depends on the team's performance. Among these, the role of the coach cannot be underestimated. Lu Wei, although not particularly outstanding as a player, has shown extraordinary coaching ability since taking up the coaching position. A team is like a giant ship sailing on the sea, and the lineup arrangement is like a captain assigning crew members to their respective duties. Lu Wei is like a skilled captain who has successfully adjusted the seemingly chaotic team lineup to operate efficiently and powerfully, much like a precision instrument.
He has carefully developed an effective lineup combination and playing style, which is like tailoring a set of fine armor for the players, making the team焕发前所未有的活力。The new foreign aid, Lofton, seems to have been injected with superpowers, playing the role of an all-around player on the court, and his performance shines like a star, illuminating the team's path forward. Li Tianrong and Li Hongquan, known as the "Li Flower Brothers," are like two exotic flowers blooming on the CBA court, with sharp offense and tenacious defense. Young players under his careful guidance have emerged one after another. This is akin to the ancient saying: "A good horse is common, but a good judge is rare." Lu Wei is the judge who discovers the good horses, allowing the players' values to be maximized.
However, the development of the team is not smooth sailing, and there are some problems among the players that need to be solved. Dai Hao is such a controversial player, and his controversy has been around for a long time. Last season, he caused a limit one-for-five court conflict incident, leading to multiple suspensions for the Beijing Enterprises Group (BEG) men's basketball team, drawing attention. He possesses excellent height, fast mobility, and good defensive capabilities, indeed having great potential in these aspects. However, basketball is not just a contest of physical prowess; it also requires a wise mind. His basketball IQ seems to be a stumbling block on his path to development, often performing unsatisfactorily.
Despite previous speculation by fans that Lu Wei might completely give up on Dai Hao, Lu Wei still showed his inclusiveness and willingness to give opportunities. In the match against the BEG team, he let Dai Hao start and gave him 23 minutes of playing time. This should have been a perfect opportunity to prove himself, but Dai Hao failed to seize it.
As a guard, he should play an important role in organizing the offense, actively contribute on the defensive end, and create opportunities for his teammates by passing more. However, his performance in the game disappointed everyone. Faced with the request for the ball from the team's main scorer, Lofton, he actually ignored it, and this disregard for his teammates was like a discordant note suddenly sounding in the symphony of teamwork. Not only did he not pass the ball, but he also blindly shot three-pointers, ignoring his teammates in two consecutive offensive rounds. What's even more ridiculous is that after missing his own shot, he signaled his teammates to adopt a zone defense, but there were no teammates behind him to cooperate. This series of operations was simply a farce.
No wonder Lu Wei was so cautious in using him before. Lu Wei knew Dai Hao's true strength and had no choice but to substitute him. Ultimately, the team still relied on the stable performance of the original starting lineup to defeat the opponent, successfully achieving 14 consecutive victories, and further solidifying their 12th place in the playoffs with three fewer games played. This position is like a key cornerstone, an important step for them to advance to the playoffs.
Although the 14 consecutive victories are the result of their efforts, it does not mean that they can rest easy. After all, on the competitive stage of the CBA, every game is a new challenge, and no opponent will let go easily. The team needs to maintain good form, continuously optimize the lineup, enhance cooperation between players, and solve existing problems so that they can go further in the playoff journey.
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