Shandong Men's Basketball Team has achieved the second place in the entire league this season, and they really need to thank Guangzhou Men's Basketball Team for their clearance sale during the offseason last year. At that time, Guangzhou sent away many of their core players, and Guo Kai joined Shandong Men's Basketball Team. It was originally thought that under the circumstances where Tao Hanlin, an experienced inside player, was present in the team, Guo Kai might not get too many opportunities. However, under the guidance of Qiu Biao, Guo Kai has now replaced Tao Hanlin and become the number one domestic inside player in Shandong.
In the recent game where Shandong defeated Jiangsu 102-86, Guo Kai started and played for 33 minutes, shooting 4 out of 6 for a total of 13 points, 10 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks, with a +24 plus-minus value tied for first on the team with Moore. In the absence of Chris, his partnership with Kumajie in the frontcourt also helped Shandong successfully defend their home court.
Although Guo Kai is only 2.05 meters tall, his efforts in rebounding and his positive attitude in defense over the past few years under the tutelage of Guo Shiqiang have indeed won unanimous recognition from fans. This season, he averages 7.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1.2 steals per game in 27.8 minutes of playing time, with a shooting percentage of 56.9%, which is even better than Tao Hanlin (who averages only 6.3 points and 3.8 rebounds this season).
During the offseason last year, Shandong Men's Basketball Team made several transfers, but it seems that Guo Kai's joining was the best transfer of the offseason for the team. Because Tao Hanlin's state has significantly declined, if it weren't for Guo Kai stepping up, Shandong would have struggled to compete against other teams relying solely on their foreign aid Chris and Kumajie.
Therefore, Qiu Biao may continue to let Guo Kai play the role of the team's inside core in the future. However, for Guo Kai, who is obviously at a disadvantage in height, Shandong fans also need to prepare for the worst-case scenario where he may struggle when facing teams like Beijing, Shanghai, and Beikong with stronger inside players in the playoffs.
Although there are many challenges ahead, for Guo Kai, who has already passed the age of thirty, this is indeed an opportunity to break through himself. Compared to his previous team Guangzhou, whose upper limit might only be the top eight, this season with Shandong Men's Basketball Team, which has the potential to challenge for the championship, if Guo Kai can really step up and not falter when facing some All-Star big men, Shandong, with a relatively balanced lineup, really has a chance to aim for the top four or even the finals.
As for Tao Hanlin, who is no longer as strong as he once was, he also needs to accept the fact that he is getting older and should give way to Guo Kai. After all, veterans like him might have more opportunities to perform efficiently in limited playing time.