Liaoning defeats Guangdong with a score of 95-89, securing their first victory of the season. Throughout the game, Liaoning maintained a significant lead, showcasing their advantage in rebounds, stable free-throw performance, and stronger foreign players. They lived up to their title as defending champions, demonstrating a rich heritage.
After the crucial victory, Liaoning received four pieces of good news:
Firstly, Zhao Jiwei can rest assured as Wang Lanqin has finally stepped up, performing like Zhao Jiwei himself in this game. He contributed to scoring, organizing, and defense, with a perfect fourth quarter that matched the level of a foreign player. It's said that Xu Jie is like a foreign player, and so is Wang Lanqin.
Secondly, Wells is incredibly strong, leading the team forward despite Ferguson's injury. In recent games, Wells has proven to be one of the top-tier foreign players in the CBA, unstoppable with a calm head, knowing when to attack and when to pass, displaying high basketball IQ.
The third piece of good news is that the "Xuanming Two Elders," Han Dejun and Li Xiaoxu, still have fuel in their tanks. They are the team's stabilizing force; with them, teammates can confidently shoot without worry. If they miss, it's okay because Liaoning has the rebounds, allowing them to continue shooting.
Lastly, the young player Li Huyi was a surprise asset in this game, playing a crucial role in the fourth quarter. With a big heart and unyielding in tough matches, he is absolutely worth cultivating.
Currently, Liaoning needs to find an interior foreign player to alleviate the pressure on the two elders. The perimeter is not a concern with the lineup of Wells, Ferguson, Wang Lanqin, and Zhao Jiwei, which is quite luxurious. As long as Liaoning finds a suitable big foreign player and maintains health, they remain the strongest contender for the championship, with teams like Beijing, Shanghai, and the Zhejiang duo not posing a threat.