The CBA regular season has reached its 24th round, bringing both joy and sorrow to different teams. The change in foreign player usage rules has made the strengths and weaknesses of the league more apparent. Looking at the standings, the overall situation seems settled, with the top 12 teams largely in place. The CBA has effectively been divided into five tiers, with seven teams virtually eliminated early, five teams vying for the top spot, and another five competing for three spots in the top eight. Let's take a look at the breakdown:
Fifth Tier: Fujian and Jiangsu
Fujian has only managed one win so far, while Jiangsu has secured three victories. These two teams have little ambition and have already said goodbye to the playoffs. They can only fight for honor from here on out, as their overall strength is several levels below the other powerhouses.
Fourth Tier: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Sichuan, Ningbo, and Tianjin
Overall, these five teams are struggling hard for playoff spots. However, they all rely heavily on foreign players, with little support from their domestic players. When the foreign players are not performing well, losing is inevitable. Although it appears that these five teams have a chance to enter the playoffs, it is very difficult. After all, they are a level behind Tongxi, Beikong, Guangdong, and Shanghai. Honestly, these five teams are also virtually eliminated; let's wait and see!
Third Tier: Jilin, Tongxi, and Beikong
Jilin is currently outside the playoff positions, but with the return of Jiang Weize and Jiang Yuxing, Jilin will surely launch an assault on the playoffs under the leadership of Jones. Tongxi's form is inconsistent, so their goal is to maintain their playoff position. Beikong has a strong lineup, but the team chemistry is not quite there, coupled with tactical deficiencies. It will be challenging for Beikong to make further progress. With a tough schedule ahead, Beikong should focus on securing a playoff spot!
Second Tier: Shandong, Beijing, Qingdao, Guangdong, and Shanghai
Shandong has reached the semifinals before, but their overall strength still lags behind the other major contenders. Holding onto a top-eight spot is their only goal. Beijing showed signs of fatigue in the second stage, dropping out of the top four due to Zhou Qi's absence and lackluster foreign player performances. Even if Zhou Qi returns, Beijing's record is unlikely to improve significantly, as his back injury is a significant concern and disrupts team chemistry. Beijing should prioritize maintaining their position for now. Guangdong, despite being ninth, has a strong foundation and will undoubtedly push for a top-eight spot when Hu Mingxuan returns in the third stage. Shanghai has now won ten consecutive games and reached the top 12, giving them a real "kill or be killed" vibe. With a relatively easy schedule ahead, Shanghai is expected to win 16 straight games, making it just a matter of time before they break into the top eight. It remains to be seen who can stop Shanghai's charge. These five teams will compete for three top-eight spots, and we'll see which one drops first.
First Tier: Guangsha, Zhejiang, Shanxi, Xinjiang, and Liaoning
These five teams are evenly matched in terms of overall strength, with Guangsha having held the top spot for a long time but always at risk of being overtaken by Shanxi. Shanxi, under the guidance of the unsung hero Li Chunjiang, has become well-balanced in attack and defense. Xinjiang, despite ups and downs, will surely challenge for the top spot once Zhao Rui returns. Liaoning, although ranked fifth, will raise their game to a new level once Zhao Jiwei, Zhang Zhenlin, and a big foreign player join the team. Their sole goal is to compete for the championship. These five teams will engage in fierce competition for the top spot, and we'll see who can break through the encirclement!