The Beikong men's basketball team thanked Marbury: May the turn of Lao Ma in the position of head coach be a new beginning
On September 8, Beikong Basketball Club officially announced that Min Lulei will serve as the head coach of the first team from the new season. On the morning of September 9, the club issued a statement thanking former coach Stephen Marbury for his contributions to the Beijing Enterprises men's basketball team, Beijing Enterprises Club and Beijing basketball.
The club said in a statement: After full discussion and friendly communication with Stephen Marbury himself, it was decided that the former head coach of the first team, Marbury, would not continue to coach.
Marbury is one of the representative figures of Beijing basketball and a meritorious foreign aid of the CBA League, he spent 11 seasons in Beijing, sparing no effort to contribute to the Beijing basketball cause, and is affectionately known as "Lao Ma" by fans and friends.
In four seasons in 2011-15, Marbury helped the Beijing Shougang men's basketball team win three CBA League championships. In the 2017-18 season, which was also the last season of Lao Ma's career, he joined the Beikong men's basketball team, opening the "prologue" of cooperation between the two sides. In 2019, after retiring, Lao Ma returned to the CBA and began to serve as the head coach of the first team of the Beikong men's basketball team.
As a "rookie" coach, Lao Ma quickly entered the state and adapted to his new role. In this year, Lao Ma led the team to the playoffs for the first time, achieving the best record in team history. Lao Ma's contribution to the club is also reflected in the team building, he personally participated in the formation of the coaching staff, recruitment and other work, and successively introduced Sun Yue, Sun Tonglin and many other experienced internal and external assistance, so that the team from "deputy squad leader" to a playoff team. Beikong Basketball Club is also known to more fans because of Lao Ma, which plays an important role in the club's landing in Beijing.
From 2020 to 2023, the team suffered setbacks and missed the playoffs for three consecutive seasons, and Lao Ma, as the head coach, also suffered a lot of pressure, but he did not give up, always insisted on the head coach position, watching videos, formulating tactics, cheering for the players, and he also gave many young players the opportunity to show themselves on the stage of the CBA league.
In the past few years, Lao Ma has served as a guest at large-scale events such as the China International Fair for Trade in Services, the 2021 Understanding China International Conference, and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, doing his best to let everyone understand Chinese culture and Beijing culture. Looking back on the past, there are joys, regrets, and reluctance, and Beijing Enterprises Basketball Club thanked Marbury for his efforts in the past four years and wished him all the best in his future work and life.
At the end of the statement, Beijing Enterprises Club said: We are a young club, any experience is our precious asset, regardless of success or failure, it provides valuable experience for the future development of the club. Please continue to pay attention to and support the Beikong men's basketball team, and may Lao Ma's turn in the position of head coach be a new beginning. I hope that in the future, Beikong Basketball Club and Lao Ma can grow together and continue to contribute to the basketball cause in Beijing!
Text/Beiqing Sports Liu Ailin