41 Offensive Rebounds Lost in Two Games! Another Defeat for Guangdong—Xu Jie’s Sudden Injury…

Guangdong’s struggles continue in the early season, and their latest game against Shandong was yet another reminder of how much the team is floundering. During the game, star guard Xu Jie suffered a scary injury after jumping to make a pass and landing awkwardly on Yu Dehao’s foot. The sight was unsettling, with Xu needing several teammates to carry him off the court for treatment. Thankfully, the injury wasn’t as severe as initially feared, and Xu returned in the final quarter to try to salvage the game. Despite his return, Guangdong still fell short, losing 105-115 to Shandong and extending their season-opening losing streak to two games.

The most glaring issue in the game was Guangdong’s inability to take care of the ball, committing a shocking 28 turnovers. New team captain Hu Mingxuan was particularly careless, accounting for 9 of those turnovers himself, a personal lowlight that played a significant role in the team’s defeat. To make matters worse, Guangdong was completely outmatched on the boards. They were overwhelmed by Shandong in offensive rebounds, with Shandong grabbing 18 offensive boards to Guangdong’s 3—a staggering 15-rebound deficit. In their previous game against Shanxi, Guangdong also lost the offensive rebound battle, 9-23. Over the course of two games, Guangdong has conceded 41 offensive rebounds, effectively handing their opponents 41 additional possessions.

This rebounding problem has made it painfully clear that Guangdong is struggling in the paint. The lack of size and physical presence on the inside has left them vulnerable to being dominated on the glass. Currently, the team's two foreign big men, Bazley (2.06 meters) and Gillenwater (2.04 meters), are both undersized power forwards rather than traditional centers. This mismatch is putting tremendous pressure on Guangdong’s defense, and they’re paying the price in the rebounding department. Without a reliable presence to contest for rebounds, they’re being bullied in the paint, and their defense is crumbling under the pressure.

Guangdong’s Need for a True Center

For Guangdong to turn their season around, they must address their glaring need for a legitimate center. It’s becoming increasingly clear that their current rotation of big men is simply not equipped to handle the physicality of the league’s top frontcourt players. If management is still considering signing a fourth foreign player, their priority should be finding a true center who can battle inside and secure rebounds.

Alternatively, Guangdong has an intriguing in-house option in Xu Xin. Standing at 2.26 meters, Xu is the tallest player on the roster and has shown flashes of potential. However, he’s been underutilized so far this season, playing just 17 minutes over the first two games, where he tallied 5 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Xu has worked hard in the offseason, undergoing specialized training in the United States and participating in the Chinese national team’s training camps, all in preparation for a breakout season. But for some reason, Guangdong has been hesitant to give him more opportunities on the court. If the team continues to struggle with rebounding, coach Du Feng may have no choice but to give Xu more playing time.

An Offensive Explosion in Nanjing, But Still a Loss for Tongxi

Elsewhere in the league, Tongxi nearly pulled off a remarkable 20-point comeback against Guangsha, only to fall just short in the end, losing 112-115. The final quarter saw Tongxi unleash an explosive 43-27 run, led by rising star Guo Haowen. Guo had an outstanding game, scoring 26 points on 11-of-18 shooting while adding 4 rebounds and 3 assists. His contributions weren’t just limited to offense—Guo’s presence on both ends of the floor was critical to Tongxi’s near-comeback. In the previous game, Guo had also been impressive, scoring 20 points on 14 shots, giving him a combined 46 points in his first two games. Without a doubt, he has been one of the best offseason additions for Tongxi, providing immediate impact and leadership.

Equally impressive for Tongxi was Lin Wei, who played over 30 minutes off the bench and delivered a near double-double performance. Lin shot 7-of-15 from the field, including 5-of-11 from three-point range, while also converting 7 of 8 free throws to finish with 26 points and 9 assists. As Tongxi’s primary playmaker and franchise cornerstone, Lin has embraced his role as the team’s leader, and his performance is expected to improve as the season progresses.

Given the form both Guo and Lin are showing early in the season, it’s not unreasonable to suggest that they deserve consideration for spots on China’s national team. Guo’s all-around game and Lin’s scoring and playmaking ability would be valuable assets for the national squad, especially as China looks to rebuild following recent disappointments. Chinese national team head coach Guo Shiqiang might want to keep a close eye on Tongxi’s games in the near future, as both players are making a strong case for selection.

What’s Next for Guangdong?

Back to Guangdong, their issues go beyond just rebounding and turnovers. The team is struggling to find a consistent offensive rhythm, and their defense has been alarmingly porous. While Xu Jie’s return to the game after his injury scare was a positive sign, it was clear that Guangdong has larger systemic issues that need addressing. The turnover numbers are a huge concern, and Hu Mingxuan’s leadership as the new captain is already being questioned after two subpar performances. His 9 turnovers in this game were a major factor in Guangdong’s loss, and he’ll need to show more poise and control if the team is to bounce back.

Additionally, the lack of toughness and physicality in the paint is leaving Guangdong exposed on both ends of the floor. The rebounding disparities in their first two games—especially on the offensive boards—are indicative of a deeper problem with the team’s roster construction. The current lineup simply doesn’t have the size or strength to compete with some of the league’s better frontcourt players.

One potential solution could be to reconfigure their rotation to include more minutes for Xu Xin. His size and shot-blocking ability could help shore up some of Guangdong’s interior defense, and his presence on the boards would undoubtedly help alleviate their rebounding woes. Xu is still raw in some aspects of his game, but given the team’s current struggles, the coaching staff might need to take a leap of faith and trust that Xu’s size and athleticism can make a difference.

Alternatively, Guangdong could look to the free agent market to sign a true center. Adding a fourth foreign player—specifically one with the size and skills to dominate the paint—might be the quickest way to address their glaring weaknesses. There are still plenty of capable big men available who could step in and make an immediate impact. If Guangdong hopes to compete for a championship this season, they’ll need to fix their rebounding issues sooner rather than later.

The season is still young, but these early warning signs cannot be ignored. Guangdong’s back-to-back losses have exposed serious flaws in the team’s structure, and if they don’t make adjustments quickly, their hopes of a deep playoff run could be in jeopardy. For now, the team must regroup, find a way to limit turnovers, and most importantly, address their rebounding deficiencies. Whether that comes from giving Xu Xin more minutes or signing a new player remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: if Guangdong continues to lose the battle on the boards, they’ll continue to lose games.