After defeating Jilin with a score of 138-107, Shanghai's "Northern Expedition" continues, and the team has won eight consecutive victories, rising to 13th in the league, with the playoffs now within reach.
When it comes to Shanghai, many fans first think of Wang Zhelin, who is the absolute core of the team. However, due to injuries this season, Wang Zhelin has not performed particularly well, averaging only 15.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in 26.5 minutes per game, which is a new low in his career.
Despite this, Shanghai has managed to win their last eight games, largely due to the addition of big foreign aid Lofton, who has become a new "big gun" in the CBA. Another key factor is the rise of young player Li Hongquan, who scored a career-high 34 points against Jilin. This season, Li Hongquan has averaged 14.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.3 steals in 35.7 minutes per game, providing significant help on both offense and defense.
In the two years since joining Shanghai, Li Hongquan has transformed from a player averaging 4.9 points with inconsistent playing time into a top domestic frontcourt player averaging 14.9 points. His rise has reignited hope for Shanghai's future. It's worth noting that after experiencing the "sweet taste" of Zhang Zhenlin, former Liaoning general manager Li Hongqing was interested in helping Liaoning sign Li Hongquan, who was then playing for NCAA's Loyola University, to form a young front line with Zhang Zhenlin. Imagine if Liaoning had really signed Li Hongquan; would they be even more competitive today?