In the world of basketball, the winds of change are always uninvited. As we watch the CBA playoffs rage on, let's talk about the new trends that are quietly blowing on the basketball court. Yes, the fabled "era of the centre-forward" may be slowly coming to an end before our eyes, replaced by a group of technologically brilliant defenders. The recent short training camp for the Chinese men's basketball team is a perfect example of this. The three young defenders under Qiao Shuai's leadership are regarded by many as the future of Asia's No. 1 defender group.
The story begins in Macau, where members of the men's basketball camp played two coaching games against the Macau Black Bears. Although the result was one win and one loss, it did not affect the shining light of the new stars. Here, it's worth mentioning that this camp didn't include players from the top four teams in the CBA league. In other words, this group of newcomers was able to spread their wings under the sky without veterans.
Under Qiao Shuai's careful tutelage, the three defenders Zhao Weilun, Lin Wei and Liao Sanning have shown remarkable potential. Zhao Weilun, the point guard who is seen as a possible successor to Zhao Jiwei in the future, his on-court performance gives people a glimpse of the leader's demeanor. Lin Wei impressed with his offensive ability and calmness at key moments, and was hailed as a player with a big heart. As for Liao Sanning, his all-round performance ensured his consistent performance on both offensive and defensive ends.
This transformation does not happen overnight. From the former style of play with tall centers as the core to today's guard-led tactics that emphasize speed and space, this reflects the changes in the trend of international basketball. In fact, it's also an adaptation to the current state of basketball talent. As more and more Chinese players seek to develop in European and American leagues, their skills and vision are gradually reaching the international level, and the players in the back line are particularly concerned.
All these changes, Qiao Shuai saw it in his eyes and was anxious in his heart. He knows that if he wants to go further in Asian and even world basketball, he must grasp the pulse of the times and let the Chinese men's basketball team not lag behind in terms of technology and tactics. Therefore, this short training camp is not only an improvement of technology, but also an innovation of strategic thinking.
The question now is, can this group of rising stars, who have high hopes from Qiao Shuai, take on the responsibility of reviving the Chinese men's basketball team? Will they be able to prove the arrival of the 'defender era' with their performances in future games?
It's a topic to look forward to, and it's a story that every basketball fan should follow. So, basketball fans, what do you think of these new up-and-coming players?