It is unlikely that many people would have anticipated the outcome of the Liaoning men's basketball team's away game against Qingdao. The team was leading by 11 points in the last three and a half minutes of the fourth quarter but suffered a "blackout" period, during which they failed to score any points while allowing Qingdao to mount a 14-0 scoring spree. This loss not only cost them their significant lead but also resulted in a disappointing defeat, leaving many Liaoning fans feeling frustrated and angry.
Honestly, the reasons for Liaoning's late-game collapse can be attributed to three factors. Firstly, the players once again showed a lapse in concentration or insufficient preparation for difficulties. In the past, a 11-point lead with three and a half minutes remaining would have been considered a sure win for Liaoning. However, with the clear improvement in the overall strength of various teams, unexpected plays such as Wang Ruize's consecutive three-pointers and Yang Hanshen's strong offensive moves against Han Dejun caught the Liaoning players off guard.
Secondly, the biased refereeing on the court was another contributing factor to Liaoning's defeat. In the closing moments, Ferg was fouled at least twice by the opponents, including a potential game-winning shot where he was hit on the wrist by Witherspoon, yet the referee turned a blind eye. Another unfavorable incident for Liaoning involved Yang Hanshen's back-to-the-basket move against Han Dejun. Yang Hanshen actually traveled, moving his pivot foot after stopping and taking an extra step during his turn, which should have been called a traveling violation. Instead, the referee not only overlooked the violation but also called a foul on Han Dejun, awarding Yang Hanshen free throws.
The third factor contributing to Liaoning's loss was the stubbornness and rigidity of head coach Yang Ming. In the crucial moments, as the Liaoning players repeatedly made mistakes and lacked organization in their offense, relying solely on Ferg's individual efforts, Yang Ming ignored substitutes like Fu Hao, Li Huyi, and Wang Lanqin on the bench. In fact, Fu Hao and Li Huyi were among the best-performing players for Liaoning that day, aside from Ferg. If Liaoning had managed to perform better offensively in the last three minutes, the outcome of the game might have been different.
After the game, Yang Ming did not erupt in anger as he had done after the previous match. At the press conference, he candidly took full responsibility for the loss, demonstrating the honesty and integrity of a true man, which earned him newfound respect. It is hoped that this match will serve as a wake-up call for the "sleeping" Liaoning players. Although the regular season is only halfway through, the playoffs are not far away. If the team cannot muster the determination to face every opponent with all their might, their title defense this season may indeed be in jeopardy.