On January 17, in a CBA regular season game where Qingdao hosted Beijing, Zhou Qi was ejected from the game after receiving two technical fouls just two minutes into the second half. It appeared that Zhou Qi was unable to control his emotions due to dissatisfaction with the referees, but it may have been part of a larger strategy. Previously, he always used injuries and colds as excuses, but this time he changed tactics by proactively applying for disqualification. Observing the reactions of his teammates at the time reveals the unspoken truth.
This season, Zhou Qi has been inconsistent since joining Beijing, with the value of a starter and the contribution of a substitute, sometimes even falling short of bench players. After a long absence, media friends close to him spread word that Zhou Qi had twice volunteered to participate in the game, but Xu Limin, considering the player's health, did not allow him to compete while sick.
This statement is both positive and warm, but the reality is far more complicated. In this game, Zhou Qi missed two free throws completely, making only 2 out of 7 attempts, which is quite amateurish. He did not gain much advantage over Yang Hanshen on the court, and instead, the young player from Qingdao caused him considerable trouble. Zhou Qi was angry and could not find an outlet for his frustration, wishing to leave the court as soon as possible.
Just two minutes into the third quarter, with Beijing trailing 47:59 by 12 points, Zhou Qi fell while trying to overpower Yang Hanshen. He waited for the referee to blow the whistle, but the referee ignored him. Zhou Qi then chased after the referee demanding an explanation. The referee, lacking patience, promptly issued a technical foul (T). This angered Zhou Qi, who exploded with national curses, resulting in another T, and China's top center successfully applied for disqualification.
During the tense moment between Zhou Qi and the referee, head coach Xu Limin remained silent on the sidelines. On the court, Fang Shuo watched coldly, and Zhang Cairen politely pulled Zhou Qi. The two foreign players seemed more proactive in their actions than domestic players, as they made gestures to comfort Zhou Qi.
Throughout the process, the Beijing bench did not support Zhou Qi, and no one on the court helped to resolve the tension. Everyone watched as Zhou Qi performed, which seemed somewhat strange. It was clear that Zhou Qi had been isolated by everyone, earning high pay without exerting effort, making his teammates envious. His lazy demeanor during games and refusal to engage in physical play also made him disliked. This is Zhou Qi's current situation.
Zhou Qi has long disappointed the coaching staff. Xu Limin recently stated at a press conference that he hopes Qiu Tian and Fan Ziming can play important roles, clearly indicating that Zhou Qi is no longer his first choice center. Beijing has once again been let down this season, and Zhou Qi has let down another team.
