The second phase of the CBA regular season has been fiercely competitive, with every game being nail-biting. Beyond these intense matches, news about former Guangdong team foreign player Marshon Brooks has caught the attention of many fans - he sent his teammate Zhao Rui blessings on social media, and his location showed that he is currently in Guangdong. This detail has led many people to speculate whether Marshon will return to his former "old club"?
From the current situation, the Guangdong team does indeed urgently need to supplement a suitable small foreign aid, especially as the team gradually emerges from its slump and recently regained hope for the playoffs through six consecutive victories. Coach Du Feng and General Manager Zhu Fangyu are obviously adjusting the team's foreign aid lineup. Although they have already made an offer to Turkish foreign aid Darrun Russell, this deal seems not to be the ideal choice for all fans.
Russell has performed well in the Turkish league, but adaptability to the CBA remains a big issue. Many fans worry that he may fail to adapt to the fierce offensive and defensive confrontation in the CBA, just like previous foreign players such as Arms, Rice, and Barton. Moreover, Russell is only 1.8 meters tall, and partnering with guards like Xu Jie could cause significant difficulties in defense and offensive and defensive transitions. Therefore, Marshon Brooks' name has been brought up again, seemingly becoming the ideal choice for many.
Looking back at Marshon's past with the Guangdong team, everyone remembers that he was once a key figure, leading the team to win multiple championships. If he can return, it would not only solve the current foreign aid dilemma of the Guangdong team but also bring a glimmer of hope. Although Marshon's return may affect Xu Jie's position in the core ball-handling role, given the current lineup of the Guangdong team, adjustments are necessary.
The reason is simple; the Guangdong team's backcourt ball-handling points almost entirely rely on Xu Jie. Since Hu Mingxuan's injury, Xu Jie has almost taken on all ball-handling tasks, playing more than 40 minutes per game, sometimes even reaching 48 minutes. Continuous high-intensity play has clearly pushed Xu Jie to the limit of his physical endurance, with his turnover rate and shooting accuracy starting to decline, which clearly cannot continue. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a stable foreign aid to reduce his burden and ensure he has enough time to rest and recover.
Marshon's addition at this time is undoubtedly the most suitable choice. He not only has the ability to take on the ball-handling role but also provides more space and rest time for Xu Jie. More importantly, Marshon's joining can fill the vacancy left by the foreign aid Bezley.
The Guangdong team's frontcourt already has strong support, with Gillette and Morand showing top-level standards, so the remaining foreign aid position can be fully taken on by Marshon. This way, the Guangdong team's lineup becomes more balanced, and it can find a more suitable rhythm on both offense and defense.
Of course, Marshon's return is not without challenges. After all, Xu Jie and Bezley's positions will inevitably be affected, but given the current situation, the Guangdong team has little room for error. If they do not quickly introduce suitable foreign aid, they may miss the opportunity to progress further.
Overall, the possibility of Marshon returning is growing. His personal salary is relatively reasonable, and coupled with his familiarity with the Guangdong team's tactical system, he hardly needs time to adapt. If Marshon can return to his former state, even if only half of his offensive firepower, the Guangdong team still has a chance to challenge for the championship this season. So, the news of Marshon's return really brings great expectations to the Guangdong team's fans.
At this critical moment, will the Guangdong team seize this opportunity and welcome back this former champion foreign aid? We wait and see.