As a member of the men's national basketball team, he can't get enough playing time in Liaoning, averaging only more than ten minutes per game, and even less than the substitute player Yan Shouqi. Wang Lanqin's struggles in Liaoning also represent the current difficulties of the team.
Although Liaoning narrowly defeated Shanghai, Liaoning fans are not happy at all. The team's sluggish state continues, and Shanghai is missing their star foreign player Lofton, with several key players playing injured. Liaoning almost lost their lead and were overturned. The biggest problem for Liaoning right now remains unsolved. In the past, with a single foreign player, the domestic players' abilities were limited, and only two or three teams could punish Han Dejun and Fu Hao on defense. Now, with basically two foreign players, anyone can punish them. Adding a player like Yan Shouqi who is a liability on defense, there's no hope for the defensive end. Then on the offensive end, they still have to rely on Han Dejun, and with the clear improvement in defense from the opposing team with two foreign players, Han Dejun is also playing extremely hard.
Currently, the number four position has the biggest problem. Li Xiaoxu cannot attack, and on the offensive end, apart from setting screens and putbacks, he has no other use. He is the point that all teams leave open. Fu Hao cannot defend, and those who can help him make up positions either lack speed or size. The spatial attributes on the offensive end are also unstable, and the opponent can try to leave him open. When his shooting is off, he is far less effective than his older brother, and his inside offense in critical moments depends on the defensive intensity of the opponent's number four position and inside. The only one to look forward to right now is Weber. Weber's role is significant, with space, able to push the pace, and fast enough on defense. His potential is huge, with a high ceiling, and he can also play as a three if the lineup fits, with great potential.
However, Wang Lanqin, the outside national team player, is still not getting much use. Averaging less than 20 minutes per game, Wang Lanqin can still perform so well despite being cut into such short playing time, which I admire. Against Shanghai, he only played 14 minutes, shooting 2 for 4, scoring 4 points and 2 rebounds. It's understandable that he plays less than Zhao Jiwei, but Yan Shouqi plays more than Wang Lanqin. Is it just because he's a foreign player? And for the next national team, Liaoning probably only has Wang Lanqin as a player selected. Zhao Jiwei hasn't recovered from his injury, and Fu Hao's form is too poor. These two probably won't make it into the national team.
When the opponent focuses on the foreign players, Han Dejun is in the paint, and Wang Lanqin is the most active and capable of providing space on Liaoning's perimeter. He can break through to near the free throw line to handle the ball, use his speed to set screens to pass to the inside or outside, and he can attack himself. We should let Wang Lanqin play defense during specific periods. When the opponent's defensive focus is on the small foreign player, he can perform. But for some reason, Yang Ming doesn't give him the opportunity.
The Liaoning players still have the potential for a four-peat, but the premise is that Yang Ming needs to change his mindset.
Zhao Jiwei is visibly out of form, missing three-pointers, lacking offense, passing inaccurately, and making more mistakes. He really should rest. Zhao Jiwei is a competitive person, and the more he plays, the more anxious he gets, and the more anxious he gets, the more mistakes he makes, creating a vicious cycle. I hope Yang Ming adjusts quickly, don't wait until the playoffs to realize it's too late.