On January 17th, Beijing time, the selection of CBA All-Star starters has sparked significant controversy and farce. Is it true that the selection process disregards a player's actual abilities? Three teams have been severely impacted.
Choosing All-Star players should not only consider whether fans support you or your popularity but also take into account a player's abilities, their contributions to the team, and the team's overall performance. However, this year's All-Star starting lineup has indeed caused considerable controversy, with several teams feeling aggrieved because, despite their excellent records, their core players are unable to secure a spot in the starting lineup.
Following the announcement of the starting lineup, the two teams most affected are undoubtedly Shanxi and Shandong, currently ranked second and third in the Northern Division. Despite their high rankings, neither team managed to secure a single player in the All-Star starting lineup, making it even more challenging for them to make the All-Star team at all. Isn't this situation problematic?
For instance, the starting lineup includes four guards: Zhao Jiwei, Guo Ailun, Zhao Rui, and Xu Jie. The frontcourt for the North is Zeng Fanbo, Zhou Qi, and Yang Hanshen, while the South features Hu Jinqiu, Zhou Peng, and Lofton. Upon the release of this list, Shanxi and Shandong were left speechless. As two powerhouse teams ranked second and third, they couldn't get a single player into the lineup. Is this appropriate?
Doesn't Shanxi have anyone deserving of an All-Star starting spot? Take Zhang Ning as an example; he plays with great intensity, has impressive statistics, and ranks among the top scorers in crucial moments in the league. Yet, he couldn't make it into the starting lineup. It's likely that neither he nor Yuan Shuai will even make the All-Star team this time, which is the most awkward thing. Similarly, Shandong's Gao Shiyan has performed well this season, yet he too was excluded from the lineup. This list has indeed left these teams feeling quite distressed.
Both teams have outstanding records and have delivered impressive performances. Shandong has defeated Xinjiang, while Shanxi previously demolished Guangdong and took down Liaoning, demonstrating their strength, which is second only to Zhejiang Guangsha. These two teams have been the big surprises of the year, with rapid improvements in their records compared to last season and noticeable progress in their players' abilities. However, no one seems to be selecting them.
Of course, these two are not the only awkward teams; there's an even more awkward one to follow. Guangsha is also in an awkward position. As the undisputed leader in the league, securing a playoff spot 15 rounds in advance, Guangsha is truly suffering. What makes them suffer? It's the fact that Sun Minghui, the team's leader, couldn't make it into the All-Star starting lineup. This is truly frustrating and speechless.
Normally, based on ability, it should definitely be the Guangsha twin stars, along with Shandong and Shanxi, who should have someone selected. Judging by their records, they absolutely deserve it. However, none of these teams could secure a single player, isn't that bizarre? Therefore, these three teams have indeed been struck hard. The top three powerhouses in the entire league combined could only manage to get one person into the All-Star starting lineup. Such a scenario would likely never occur in the NBA.