"Team has no hope," said Beijing men's basketball head coach Xu Limin after a crushing 27-point loss to Beikong. This statement likely chilled the hearts of many fans and players. The score of 102 to 129 was not just a simple loss but felt like an announcement that the entire season's efforts had been wasted. What does it mean when a coach openly expresses such despair after a game? How much hope is left for Beijing men's basketball?
The game speaks for itself, and Beijing's loss exposed clear problems: their defense was truly terrible! Opponents Beikong's Salinge and Chen Guohao combined for 52 points and 22 rebounds. What does this mean? It means that Beijing's interior defense was completely torn apart, leaving gaping holes. Looking back, when Zhou Qi joined Beijing, many believed the team's frontcourt had made a qualitative leap due to his height, defensive awareness, and experience. But now? Without Zhou Qi, the entire interior defense crumbled.
Xu Limin's arrangement of Fan Ziming and Qiu Tian did not plug the gaps; instead, they became a "paper wall" easily overrun by Beikong players. This game not only chilled fans with the statistics but also instilled a deep unease - this is a team that can't defend at all! After all, "the opponent's offense is flourishing, yet you don't even have a decent defense to slow them down." Does that make sense?
Poor defense is one thing, but the offense was also chaotic and incomprehensible. Watching the game, many fans couldn't help but complain, feeling that Beijing had no clear tactical goals. The interior defense was weak, and the offense was disorganized. Forget about smooth cooperation; even basic scoring opportunities were missed. Coach Xu Limin's insistence on "team basketball" sounds good, but whether this philosophy works is open to interpretation.
Why is there a big problem with team basketball? Let's look at Beijing's game. Throughout the offensive process, it always felt like the ball didn't know who to pass to, and no one could step up as a core player. In critical moments, the whole team relied on each other. Foreign players got few opportunities, and domestic players had little impact against the opponent's super defense. Looking back at Beikong, a single Salinge carried half the team. Simple and brutal, but very effective. Sometimes, focusing on balance and distribution may not be as effective as directly establishing a clear focus and letting strong players lead.
One of the factors leading to Beijing's loss was Xu Limin's starting lineup arrangement, which was undoubtedly a "culprit." In this game, the starting lineup included Qiu Tian and Jiang Wen. Everyone knows Jiang Wen is a good player, but compared to the opposition, the gap is obvious. As for Qiu Tian, frankly, he couldn't carry the load. Facing Beikong's powerful offensive lineup, this starting arrangement put Beijing at a disadvantage from the start. The absence of key players certainly stretched the lineup thin, but choosing the starting lineup without adapting to local conditions also indicates significant problems with the coach's preparation and adaptability.
What's frustrating is that even though the opponent had built momentum, Beijing made almost no timely adjustments in strategy. After losing the first quarter, Beijing stubbornly stuck to the wrong tactics, causing the score to widen further. This game can be marked as a classic example where a coach's stubbornness often becomes the grave of a match.
Many fans might ask, Beijing hasn't spared any expense on its team, with Zhou Qi joining and potential newcomers like Zeng Fanbo. How did they end up like this? Is it "burning money for loneliness"? The problem lies precisely here. Over the years, Beijing has indeed made great efforts in recruitment and spent a lot of money, but between forming a team and playing well, there's more than just paper strength; there's also chemistry and team cohesion.
Zeng Fanbo has talent, but unfortunately, Xu Limin hasn't given this young player much room to play, always holding him back. Veteran player Zhai Xiaochuan's role is evident, but the tactical arrangements still don't revolve around these players' strengths. By the end of the season, fans see more clearly than anyone else that even the best players are futile under the wrong guidance.
Xu Limin's post-game comments of "no hope" infuriated fans. This doesn't sound like something a head coach should say; it's more like an excuse to shift blame. While many are disappointed with Beijing's current state, the words "no hope" not only hurt fans but also sap a team's morale.
To be fair, Xu Limin is a hardworking coach with a deep academic understanding of basketball, but his coaching style often falls short. He emphasizes team basketball, which is not wrong, but an overly egalitarian tactical style often results in the whole team lacking a decisive leader and soul, which is the root of the problem.
Looking at Beijing men's basketball's current situation, there is unlikely to be a significant improvement in the short term. Team morale has hit rock bottom, and players' confidence has been drained by consecutive mistakes and defeats. If Beijing cannot quickly change direction, falling out of the playoff circle entirely would not be surprising. Xu Limin's words of "no hope" are not a conclusion but more like a wake-up call - the team needs a complete overhaul.
There are two keys to adjusting direction: First, the coaching staff needs to reorganize their tactical thinking and find a suitable playing style for the current roster instead of stubbornly sticking to tactics that have proven ineffective. Second, the leadership team needs to be more cautious in recruitment and personnel decisions, truly unleashing the players' potential so the team can get back on track.
Criticism aside, fans' love remains constant. Beijing men's basketball's low point only shows they are in a period of confusion, but with action and change, there will always be "hope."