The second phase of the CBA regular season is about to come to a close, and the main event that follows will be the men's basketball Asian Cup qualifiers. The rematch against Japan on February 20th is a crucial match that cannot afford to be lost. In the first match against Japan, the Chinese men's basketball team suffered a defeat with a score of 73-76, which was also the first time in 88 years that China lost to Japan in the FIBA system. The second match sees the Chinese team at home, determined to avenge their loss, and tensions are high as both sides prepare for battle. However, Coach Guo faces difficulties, as choosing the right lineup has become a tricky issue. Here's an estimated list of the strongest 14 players:
Many national-level players are currently dealing with injuries, including Liaoning's Zhang Zhenlin and Zhao Jiwei, Guangdong's Hu Mingxuan, Beijing's Zhou Qi, Zhejiang's Yu Jiahao and Wu Qian, Beikong's Liao Sanning, and Guangzhou's Jiao Boqiao. It's unlikely that these players will be able to participate, leaving Coach Guo with limited options for his roster. However, the Chinese men's basketball talent pool is rich, and Coach Guo has multiple choices available. The projected 14-man roster should look like this:
Frontcourt: Hu Jinqiu, Yang Hansen, Li Yanzhe, Liu Chuanxing (or Zou Yuchen, Xu Xin)
Wings: Zeng Fanbo, Zhang Ning, Qi Lin, Cheng Shaipeng, Li Hongquan
Backcourt: Xu Jie, Zhao Rui, Lin Cang, Sun Minghui, Gao Shiyan
These players are considered the strongest from various domestic clubs. Playing against Japan should not be seen as a training exercise; instead, revenge and victory should be the ultimate goal. It remains to be seen how Coach Guo will make his selections. What do the fans think?