Because Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell was isolated in the first two games because of the trigger health and safety agreement, so the Phoenix team's last two games are by assistant coach Flaville in the temporary manager position, and under his command, Zhou Qi completely lost his previous spirit, completely used as a blue-collar coolie, the last game with the Sydney Kings, Zhou Qi only 5 points into the account, the use of the main interior line is too low, but also caused the Phoenix team owner to be extremely dissatisfied.
And in the game between the Phoenix and the Ants that ended earlier today, phoenix coach Mitchell finally successfully lifted the ban, and Zhou Qi also rediscovered himself under his "good use of knowledge", this campaign Zhou Qi started 23 minutes, 10 shots 5 to take 11 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block, plus and minus also came to +2, he regained his influence in the penalty area, but also made the Phoenix finally 83-71 lightly win the Ants, from the haze of the last defeat to the Kings by 5 points.
As a "foreign aid" introduced by the Phoenix team, Zhou Qi's salary this season has reached nearly 4 million yuan, although the Phoenix team is not the team with the highest price for Zhou Qi, but it is the team with the most sincerity for Zhou Qi. Before Zhou Qi arrived in Australia at that time, many players in the Phoenix team welcomed him, and Zhou Qi, who was able to successfully wear the Phoenix jersey, did not live up to the team's high expectations for him, and this season he basically won the position of the team's starting center. The victory or defeat of this Phoenix team is largely related to the quality of Zhou Qi's state, when Zhou Qi's shooting power is good, the Phoenix team basically won the game, but the upper playing time is less in poor condition, and the team is basically based on losing.
Time back to December 12 last year, the Phoenix team's victory over Melbourne United, Zhou Qi in the 29 minutes of playing time, 10 of 14 shots, cut 22 points, 10 rebounds and 7 blocks of the quasi-triple-double, played his best game in the NBL career. On January 15 this year, the Phoenix and bullets team's "China derby", Zhou Qi only got 17 minutes of playing time, that game he was 1 of 3, only 2 points and 5 rebounds, the Phoenix team finally lost the bullets 84-100. The last 2 games have been ignored by the assistant coach, directly using him as a coolie blue collar, the Phoenix team also tasted the "bitter fruit", although the team won 1 win and 1 loss in these two games, but the game won (against the Eagles), the Phoenix team only won 1 point.
The return of coach Mitchell has re-established Zhou Qi's position in the core of the team, and the Phoenix team has played more easily and smoothly, after all, the inside line is guaranteed, and the backcourt players can decisively and confidently seek outside attack. I hope that this victory can also make the Phoenix coaching staff know the importance of Zhou Qi, if this team does not have Zhou Qi, it is indeed difficult to win the game. In the following games, Zhou Qi really should get more stable playing time and sufficient number of shots, if he really positioned him as a blue-collar worker who would only grab rebounds like the previous assistant coach, it would also violate the original intention of the Phoenix team to sign Zhou Qi.
As of now, the Phoenix team is temporarily ranked third in the league with a record of 8 wins and 4 losses, and if they can fully exert Zhou Qi's ability, they really have a chance to attack the championship this season.