In recent times, the domestic CBA league has been experiencing a tumultuous period, starting with Zhao Rui's dissatisfaction with the refereeing decision that led to him shoving a referee and receiving a five-game suspension. This was followed by Zhang Xingliang from the Guangzhou team trending on social media for staying up all night to study English with his girlfriend, which exposed a lack of emotional control and self-discipline. Additionally, fans have criticized the frequent occurrence of unsportsmanlike conduct on the court, such as pulling opponents, tripping, swinging elbows, and diving, among others, all in an attempt to win at any cost.
On January 10th, in the 29th round of the CBA league, Guangdong defeated Qingdao 105-96 at home, ending Qingdao's four-game winning streak. Throughout the match, there were not only intense confrontations but also some controversial moments.
After the game started, Qingdao took the lead with the outstanding performances of Mickey and Weatherspoon, leading Guangdong 56-47 at halftime. However, the turning point came in the third quarter when Guangdong launched a fierce counterattack, scoring 34-23 in that quarter to successfully overtake the score and ultimately defeat Qingdao Guoxin 105-96, securing their fifth consecutive victory.
During the third quarter, Shandong player Guo Qifang attempted to deceive the referees by performing a ridiculous 360-degree spin while defending against Guangdong's foreign player Jilunwater. This behavior was immediately penalized as a technical foul by the referees and provoked the dissatisfaction of the spectators.
Guo Qifang, who entered the professional league through the CBA draft in 2023 as a college player, has been in the league for no more than a year and a half, yet he has already been assimilated into this environment.
Previously, after the Xinjiang coach Liu Wei's match against Shandong, he stated: "I've noticed a particularly bad phenomenon after playing more than 20 games in the league. Too many players fall to the ground covering their faces at the slightest provocation, even if it's just a leg contact, they fall and cover their faces to gain the referee's sympathy. I believe this is not a good trend for both the league and our players when we compete internationally."
Of course, Liu Wei's wording during Yu Dehao's shot is also questionable.
Apart from diving, harmful actions are also rampant and difficult to curb. Not long ago, Shi Deshuai was diagnosed with a fractured cheekbone and is expected to rest for about six months.
In the 22nd round of the CBA, Shenzhen lost 127-132 to Shanxi. During a rebound scramble, Zhang Ning's elbow struck Bai Haotian's cervical spine. After the match, it was found that Bai Haotian had signs of cervical dislocation and symptoms of concussion.
Although Zhang Ning repeatedly clarified that it was unintentional, the long-term habit of playing in the CBA makes it difficult to maintain proper control.
In the 7th round of the CBA, during the match between Shandong and Liaoning, Gao Suyan chose to dive for the ball on the floor after clearly losing possession, causing Zhao Jiwei to fall injured.
Faced with these situations, many people might think that physical contact is inevitable on the court, and if you're afraid of getting hurt, don't play. However, there is a difference between physical confrontation and brutality. Looking back at the 2023 Men's Basketball World Cup, the Chinese national team averaged only 73.7 points per game (ranked 25th), while committing an average of 22.7 fouls per game (ranked 5th). The tendency to be too hands-on becomes a potential risk factor affecting victories and defeats on the international stage. It's worth noting that domestic referees have been absent from World Cup officiating for several consecutive editions.
Since the men's basketball team missed two consecutive Olympics, the level of the CBA league has been under scrutiny. The league organization is chaotic, with home-court bias rampant and malicious fouls frequent. Winning seems to be prioritized over skill, with acting taking precedence over actual ability. Looking at the bleak state of Chinese basketball, it seems to provide a clear explanation.
