Can even a prodigious player be defeated? When Lofoten led the Shanghai men's basketball team to a 14-game winning streak, many believed he was the "answer" for this season's CBA. As an all-around player, he could attack and defend, seemingly capable of anything, even making people feel that as long as Lofoten was on the court, the Shanghai team would win. However, this "myth" came to an abrupt end under the precise tactics of Qiu Biao, head coach of the Shandong men's basketball team. Shanghai's 14-game winning streak was abruptly cut off, and Lofoten transformed from a "hero" into a "struggler."
The new season of the CBA has made Lofoten one of the biggest topics. He emerged like a miraculous soldier, taking over the game with comprehensive skills and superior physical confrontation ability. Scoring, defense, organization; he could deliver top-level performances in almost every aspect. More importantly, he led the Shanghai men's basketball team to advance all the way, igniting a storm in the league with a 14-game winning streak. To fans, he was the team's leader and the guarantee of victory.
Of course, behind the 14-game winning streak lay some intriguing details. Although the Shanghai team played with a momentum like breaking bamboo, a closer look at their schedule revealed that there weren't many real strong teams. Zhejiang men's basketball team was the only tough match, while most of the remaining opponents were mid-to-lower ranked teams. This couldn't help but make people wonder if there was a "sweet schedule" component to Shanghai's winning streak?
This situation isn't novel in the basketball world—several games with obvious gaps in strength are like giving athletes a bowl of sweet soup, which is comforting to drink but can't withstand the test of rough waves.
The match between Shanghai and Shandong became a turning point for Lofoten and the Shanghai team. Not only did Shandong end Shanghai's winning streak, more importantly, head coach Qiu Biao taught the rest of the league a lesson with just one game: no matter how strong an individual's abilities are, they can't overcome the wisdom of team defense.
Qiu Biao's tactical deployment was nothing short of "ingenious." He not only had the Shandong team adopt multiple-person close defense from the start but also played out various strategies in full-court pressing and rotational switching. Lofoten faced two or three defenders almost every time he got the ball. Even more remarkable, Qiu Biao incorporated "strategic fouls" into the defensive system, completely disrupting Lofoten's sense of rhythm.
On the court, the execution of the Shandong players was the key to the success of the tactics. Chris and Sun Tonglin, two core players, performed particularly well; their rotational speed and precise close defense meant that even when Lofoten wanted to force a breakthrough, he could never find a comfortable shooting opportunity. Throughout the game, Lofoten's shooting accuracy hit a new season low, repeatedly being forced into difficult shots by the defense.
This style of play not only disrupted Lofoten's personal rhythm but also successfully cut off his connection with his teammates. The Shanghai team's tactics relied more on Lofoten's organization and coordination, and once he was suppressed, the entire team seemed to suddenly lose steam. Qiu Biao proved through practice one thing: basketball has never been a one-man game.
It must be admitted that Lofoten is a technically comprehensive player. His dribbling, passing, and scoring abilities are all top-notch. However, this game also allowed people to see some of his weaknesses.
Firstly, there's the issue of stamina. Lofoten's playing style relies on high-intensity confrontation and rhythm control, but Shandong's rotation tactic clearly caused him significant exhaustion. His stamina reserves were not enough to sustain a full game of high-intensity play, and in the critical moments of the second half, Lofoten visibly showed signs of fatigue, becoming less decisive in his shots and increasing his mistakes.
Secondly, there are the shortcomings in height and athletic ability. Although Lofoten stands out enough in the CBA arena, when facing high-quality defense, he relies more on technique and physical strength rather than explosive power and speed. Perhaps his failure to establish himself in the NBA was also due to these deficiencies. In the CBA, as the overall level of the league improves, these weaknesses are becoming increasingly evident.
Comparing Lofoten to some older fans who might think of Morris or Marbury, they were also all-around players, but what made them legends in the CBA wasn't just their individual abilities, but their outstanding performances in team cooperation. Lofoten's "lone palm struggling to clap" in this game precisely illustrates that he still has much room for improvement in integrating into the team.
Shandong's victory was not only the end of Shanghai's winning streak but also an inspiration to the entire league. Qiu Biao's tactical deployment showed the charm of defensive basketball. Especially in this era that glorifies offensive statistics and individual heroes, Shandong used action to prove that: the power of team defense can change fate against the odds.
In fact, this game also provided other teams with an "operational guide" to crack Lofoten. How to disrupt an opponent through multiple-person defense, cut off offensive connections, and use stamina consumption to keep the opponent busy, if more teams learn these details, Lofoten's "dimensional reduction strike" may gradually become ineffective.
For the Shanghai men's basketball team, this defeat is undoubtedly a wake-up call. Whether Lofoten and his teammates can quickly adjust their state will directly determine their championship prospects. Especially after the schedule enters the second half, the number of strong teams will significantly increase, and if the Shanghai team's playing method cannot be effectively improved, their performance may gradually decline in the face of higher intensity competition.
This game tells us that no matter how strong a talented player is, they cannot carry a team alone. Basketball has always been a team sport, and it is the power of the team that is the most fascinating part of the game.