The intense dialogue between Liaoning and Shanghai teams was a thrilling match that was decided only at the last moment. Although Shanghai lost by a margin of 3 points, they won the acclaim of fans and media alike. Many expressed that despite the absence of Lofton and several players suffering from influenza, the team managed to put up a good fight, making their defeat honorable.
During this game, fans frequently mentioned "5 against 8," implying that Shanghai had to face eight opponents instead of five. The referees seemed to be favoring Liaoning throughout the match. Controversy arose over some fouls committed by Bradley, whose ejection became a turning point in the game. Additionally, there were three clear instances of misjudgment and missed calls: Wilson was pushed out of bounds by Li Xiaoxu without a foul being called; Li Tianrong's clean rebound was wrongly penalized as an air foul; and in the final quarter, Li Tianrong's fast break saw Yan Shouqi commit a clear hand foul that went uncalled. It was evident that the referees were intentionally assisting Liaoning, making it extremely difficult for Shanghai to win.
Despite the loss, Shanghai did not lose heart. Coach Lu Wei's words after the game reflected the team's mindset. In an interview with Shanghai media in the locker room, he said, "At halftime, we were down by seven points, but I was confident we could turn it around. Our domestic players performed well, with players like Li Hongquan and Liu Zheng stepping up. Unlike Liaoning, who relied on foreign players to score in the fourth quarter, we have a bright future!" From Lu Wei's remarks, it is clear that he looks down upon Liaoning and is not convinced of their strength, while remaining optimistic about his own team's future. His statement, "We have a future," implies that Liaoning's victories do not guarantee a promising future.
Currently, Liaoning relies heavily on two small foreign players, Fergie and Wells, for scoring and winning games. The newly arrived Burton and Weber are considered subpar foreign players. Lu Wei's words not only praised Shanghai but also cast doubt on Liaoning's capabilities, exposing their current state. Even against a weakened Shanghai lineup, Liaoning almost lost. Do they still stand a chance at winning a fourth consecutive championship? How does Yang Ming feel after hearing Lu Wei's comments? It must be uncomfortable. What do you think?
