China Sports News: Fighting continues to move forward, the Chinese men s basketball team lights up a new starting point

In the early morning of August 18, when the final whistle sounded, the Chinese men's basketball team scored 89 to 90 in the Asian Cup final. Although they failed to reach the top by a point difference, the unity and blood burst out on the court were filled with eyes. In the final, facing the defending champion and ranked seventh in the world, this team fought to the last second with the spirit of unity and fighting, and was still honored even if they lost. At the end of the game, the Chinese men's basketball players walked towards the center of the field and slapped each other with their high-fives. The only calmness in their eyes was when they tried their best. This team was not favored before the game, and used a 65-day journey and accumulating 90 training classes to write the stadium answer sheet of "Ten years of drinking ice, it's hard to have a cold and passionate blood".

"A thousand people work together, they get a thousand people's power." This gathered force runs through the entire process of the Chinese men's basketball team preparing for the Asian Cup. Before the final, due to tight time, the coaching staff of the Chinese men's basketball team was unable to go to the venue for training. After breakfast, they used tape to post a temporary stadium in the hotel lobby. The players practiced tactics and clarified their strategies in this small area. "When I came to the Chinese men's basketball team, I served this team and the country." Head coach Guo Shiqiang's words were simple and unpretentious, but they expressed the common belief of the entire team. In the finals, the Chinese men's basketball team was not afraid at all, and 9 of the 12 players scored. The guard Hu Mingxuan, who had been in a state of ups and downs, felt hot in this game, with 7 three-pointers and 5 points, scoring the team's highest 26 points in a single game; Hu Jinqiu, with the brow bone scars, built a steel defense line under the basket, scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds with outstanding data; captain Zhao Rui tried his best on both ends of the offense and defense, and behind 10 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists, he was desperate to steal again and again. When Hu Mingxuan made his last three-pointer and wiped the basket out, his teammates immediately surrounded him and patted him on the shoulder, without complaining, only the tacit understanding of "Let's carry it together". "The last ball was not scored, but everyone encouraged me, thanking the coach and teammates for their trust." Hu Mingxuan's voice was slightly hoarse in an interview after the game, "From the training camp to now, 12 of us have always been united. This is how basketball is. The opportunity has come, and it is a little luck, but we have fought to the end." On the court, this unity and struggle were fully demonstrated. Facing the Australian Men's Basketball Team, whose hard power is stronger than themselves, the young men of the Chinese Men's Basketball Team showed the game temperament of "just one second to play, you must do your best."

Regarding the loss in the final, head coach Guo Shiqiang admitted after the game: "We lost in the details, and the details of the offense and defense are not as good as those of the opponent." But his eyes were still firm, "I told the players before the game to attack and learn. We have never won the Australian team in the official game. Today, the players dare to fight and fight are the biggest gains." Captain Zhao Rui's words showed more determination: "This point allows us to see countless rounds that need to be polished. It is not the end, but a new starting point."

This bloody nature in the Asian Cup final allowed the Chinese people to see the long-lost Chinese men's basketball team. From missing the Olympic qualification in 2019 to losing Manila in 2023, the Asian Games again lost to the Philippines men's basketball team at the same time, the Chinese men's basketball team has been in a trough in recent years. At this moment, the Chinese men's basketball team has several young and promising players like Yang Hansen and Zeng Fanbo who have not competed in this Asian Cup. All of this makes us full of confidence in the team's tomorrow. As Hu Jinqiu said: "It's a pity that the difference is one point, but I hope to stay in the future."

The Chinese men's basketball team may still need time to polish the details, but this regret in the Asian Cup final is like a seed, planting new expectations in the hearts of the Chinese men's basketball players. As Guo Shiqiang said: Unity and hard work are our background. As long as we keep this original intention, the future will be bright.

(China Sports Daily)