Shanghai Men's Basketball Team has achieved a 15-game winning streak, and it seems that Jiangsu Team may not pose a significant threat to them. If Shanghai wins this game, they will reach a 16-game winning streak. So who can stop Shanghai Men's Basketball Team's winning streak? After finishing the game against Jiangsu Team, Shanghai will face Liaoning on the road on the 14th of this month and Shanxi on the 17th. CCTV will broadcast these two games in four days, with Liaoning waiting to challenge them and Shanxi also ready for the match. These two opponents could potentially cause Shanghai to suffer two consecutive defeats.
For Shanghai Men's Basketball Team, this season has been like a roller coaster ride. The first stage was terrible, but the second stage saw a remarkable rebound. With the arrival of foreign player Lofton and new coach Lu Wei, the team went from being at the bottom of the league rankings to achieving a 15-game winning streak, demonstrating an unstoppable momentum. Lofton has proven to be almost invincible in the CBA regular season so far, possessing a wide range of skills. He is feared by tall players and short players alike, and even those who are faster or stronger than him struggle to defeat him.
An excellent foreign player can lead the entire team, creating multiple scoring opportunities. To win against Shanghai, one must effectively contain Lofton; otherwise, it will be troublesome. Essentially, Lofton has become the focal point of the team. Before Lofton joined, Shanghai lost to every opponent they faced, but after his arrival, they started winning against everyone. However, during this winning streak, Shanghai has not yet encountered any consistently strong teams.
Zhang Zhenlin will definitely not play in this game. With four foreign players and a domestic rotation of six regular players, the only uncertainty lies in the remaining two positions, which Yang Ming may consider using Webster more often. His versatility in defense, outside shooting, and quick transitions are all promising. Currently, Liaoning has four foreign players, with Fergie as the scoring core of their mature system. Wells was brought in under specific circumstances as a temporary solution. Patton is a qualified substitute for Han Dejun, while Webster is the secret weapon to break through deadlocks.
Under the current foreign player rules, even Liaoning relies heavily on their foreign players. There are too many uncertain factors when playing away, and the match against Liaoning will also be a test for the referees, hoping that no extraordinary incidents occur. Judging from Liaoning's victories over Xinjiang and Guangdong with an incomplete lineup, the defending champions still have depth. With the introduction of new foreign players, the team has grown stronger, and there are now more personnel available for rotation than before. If the tactics are appropriate and the players perform normally, Liaoning still stands a chance against Shanghai.
Next, Shanghai will travel to play against Shanxi Men's Basketball Team, who are currently ranked second. Shanxi also has foreign players Goodwin and Diarra, while Shanghai has Wang Zhelin in the frontcourt, and Shanxi has Liu Chuanxing. The match will take place in Shanxi, known as the "dark horse" home court, making it a tough challenge for Shanghai. However, Shanxi's recent form has not been great, and this will be the time to test the true strength of Shanghai. If they can continue their winning streak, then Shanghai is not just a dark horse but a team with real championship potential.