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China Daily, November 18, 2011
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This is, by all accounts, a pivotal season for the Chinese Basketball Association. The league can thank the inability of the NBA's players and owners to come to a sane agreement on how to split their billion-dollar pie. With no end to that league's lockout in sight, the CBA suddenly has the attention of basketball-starved fans around the world. It also has a surplus of foreign stars who just want a place to play (and, let's face it, maybe find a way to tap into the lucrative Chinese endorsement market). So, who's going to take advantage? Here's China Daily's first look at this season's teams, in order of how they finished last season.
Guangdong Southern Tigers
Head coach: Li Chunjiang
Last season: Champion
Player to watch: Yi Jianlian
Prediction: The return of Yi gives the league's top team even more confidence heading into this season. Boasting a package of experienced veterans, promising young guns and foreign role players, the well-coached Southern Tigers are eyeing their eighth league championship this year.
Xinjiang Flying Tigers
Head coach: Bob Donewald Jr
Last season: Second
Players to watch: Kenyon Martin (ex-Denver Nugget), Tang Zhengdong
Prediction: Signing NBA star Martin and recruiting the national coach shows the Flying Tigers have championship ambitions. However, scoring machine Quincy Douby's recent injury will be a challenge for the team to overcome.
Dongguan Leopards
Head coach: Brian Goorjian
Last season: Third
Player to watch: Shavlik Randolph (ex-Portland Trailblazer)
Prediction: Losing its best young player - starting point guard Meng Duo, who transferred to the Xinjiang Flying Tigers - the Leopards are looking for long-term prosperity through a joint effort with the NBA at its local basketball academy. Reaching the playoffs should be a realistic goal for the young squad this year.
Jiangsu Dragons
Head coach: Xu Qiang
Last season: Fourth
Players to watch: Yi Li, Dan Gadzuric (ex-New Jersey Net)
Prediction: Losing its backbone, Tang Zhengdong, in the paint is a big blow. But the Dragons have uncovered a new leader in swingman Yi Li, who came to the fore during the national team's golden journey at the Asian Championships. Blue collar Gadzuric should fill the void left by Tang, who moved to Xinjiang. This team should be a strong challenger for the crown.
Zhejiang Golden Bulls
Head coach: Ding Wei
Last season: Fifth
Player to watch: J.R. Smith (ex-Denver Nugget)
Prediction: Smith was the first current top-notch NBA player signed by a CBA team thanks to the lockout. He is expected to single-handedly lift the Golden Bulls' performance. The Golden Bulls' home arena should be the most frequently sold-out stadium this season.
Zhejiang Lions
Head coach: Jim Cleamons (former assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers)
Last season: Sixth
Player to watch: Wilson Chandler (ex-Denver Nugget)
Prediction: After signing Chandler to a big deal this summer, the Lions are looking for not only a sold-out box office, but also a solid postseason. With a former NBA assistant coach and a talented scorer, the Lions have put together their best roster ever and now it's time to shine. The team has set a goal of reaching the semifinals.
Bayi Rockets
Head coach: Adijiang
Last season: Seventh
Player to watch: Wang Zhizhi
Prediction: Without foreign aid, the young military team may face the toughest season in its history as opposing teams have swept up NBA stars. Despite this tough reality, the league's traditional powerhouse won't likely give up its pursuit of the title, and its backbone, Wang, is still a force to be reckoned with.
Shanxi Brave Dragons
Head coach: Gao Shumin
Last season: Eighth
Player to watch: Marcus Williams (ex-Memphis Grizzly)
Prediction: Since parting with Stephon Marbury in 2010, the Brave Dragons have drifted out of the spotlight. Nine young players were promoted to the roster from the reserve team in the summer and they are keen to establish themselves in the CBA. With the addition of Williams, this new-look Shanxi team may surprise this year.
Beijing Ducks
Head coach: Min Lulei
Last season: Ninth
Player to watch: Stephon Marbury
Prediction: Led by former NBA all-star guard Marbury, the Beijing Ducks are expecting a breakout season and the opportunity to finish with the highest ranking in the team history. Marbury's coming will also benefit the team's young guns through advanced training methods and NBA caliber contests.
Liaoning Jiebao
Head coach: Guo Shiqiang
Last season: Tenth
Players to watch: Zhang Qingpeng, Josh Powell (ex-Los Angeles Laker)
Prediction: Welcoming local guard Zhang back from Xinjiang this year, Jiebao boasts a talented backcourt which also features young guns Guo Ailun and Yang Ming. Former Lakers NBA champion big man Powell will provide defense and rebounding under the rim. The team's goal is to finish in the top four.
Shandong Golden Lions
Head coach: Gong Xiaobin
Last season: Eleventh Player to watch: Alan Anderson (ex-Charlotte Bobcat)
Prediction: Its foreign players may not be as renowned as other teams', but the Golden Lions are still aiming for the playoffs as their former iconic forward, Gong, returns as coach. Quietly focusing on nursing its reserve talent, the Shandong team will be a threat to the top teams in the not-too-distant future.
Shanghai Sharks
Head coach: Daniel Panaggio
Last season: Twelfth
Players to watch: Liu Wei, Tseng Wen-ting (Chinese Taipei)
Prediction: The shock of coach Bob Donewald's move to Xinjiang will be eased by former Lakers assistant coach Panaggio. Boss Yao Ming's influence both on and off the court should inspire the Shanghai side. Newcomer Tseng joins national veteran guard Liu to guide the squad.
Jilin Northeast Tigers
Head coach: Wang Han
Last season: Thirteenth
Players to watch: Osama Daghles (Jordan), Yu Shulong
Prediction: "If no injuries bother us, we are much stronger than last season," Wang said of his team's prospect this season. Daghles, last season's league leader in assists, and young national guard Yu will be charged with carrying the squad.
Foshan Longlions
Head coach: Jay Humphries
Last season: Fourteenth
Player to watch: Gerald Green (2007 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk contest winner)
Prediction: With three powerful foreign additions, Gerald Green, Marcus Douthit and Michael Maadanly (Syria), the Longlions are expected to be one of the league's surprises this season. The third team in Guangdong, the Longlions have enjoyed the wave of popularity of the game in the Southern region of China.
Qingdao Eagles
Head coach: Jiang Zhengxiu
Last season: Fifteenth
Player to watch: Lester Hudson (ex-Washington Wizard)
Prediction: One of the youngest teams in the league, the Eagles will count on their local youth talent to seek their first playoff appearance this season. Explosive scorer Hudson should bring passion and energy to the backcourt.
Fujian SBS
Head coach: Joey Stiebing
Last season: Sixteenth
Players to watch: Zaid Abbas (Jordan), Anthony Roberson (ex-New York Knicks)
Prediction: Abbas' first two CBA clubs, the Shanghai Sharks and the Beijing Ducks, both made the playoffs in the Jordanian's first season with them. SBS, Abbas' third team, is hoping to benefit from his abilities at both ends of the floor. Local shooter Gong Songlin and former NBA player Roberson are expected to provide solid support.
Tianjin Gold Lions
Head coach: Zhang Jian
Last season: Seventeenth Player to watch; David Harrison (ex-Indiana Pacer)
Prediction: Last season's championship team member Harrison will make up for a hole under the Gold Lions' rim while another import, Donnell Harvey, will lead the team's perimeter offense. The newish team will look forward to its best performance in its fourth CBA season.
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