Promoted! China Basketball Permanently Bans Lin Wei? A Sophomore Already Leading His Team

Guo Shiqiang has officially taken the helm of the Chinese men's national basketball team, despite leading the team to a dismal 1-10 record in recent warm-up matches and facing heavy criticism from various media outlets and fans. Although the decision has been met with widespread dissatisfaction, the die is cast, and further debate seems futile. Nonetheless, some, like basketball analyst A Dian, acknowledge Guo Shiqiang's coaching abilities, particularly his successful tenure with the Guangzhou Loong Lions, where he transformed the team into a playoff contender and showcased his talent for developing local players. Chen Yingjun, Cui Yongxi, Jiao Boqiao, and Li Yanzhe are among the notable players he has nurtured.

However, Guo Shiqiang's player selection and utilization since taking over the national team this summer have been perplexing. Initially, the plan was to focus on young players in preparation for the 2027 FIBA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics. Yet, he has called up 28-year-old Gao Shiyan, raising questions about the selection process. If the goal was to blend experience with youth or to win games, it would have made more sense to include established stars like Zhao Jiwei and Sun Minghui, who have already made a name for themselves in the CBA.

Critics argue that if Guo Shiqiang had refrained from bringing in older players like Gao Shiyan and instead fully committed to young talent, even if it meant losing all the warm-up games, the backlash wouldn't have been as severe. But by knowingly courting controversy, he has put himself in a precarious position.

Another contentious issue has been Guo Shiqiang's authoritarian approach, particularly highlighted by his fallout with young talent Lin Wei. Their minor disagreements escalated to the point where Lin Wei was excluded from the national team, a move many see as excessively harsh. Veteran sports commentator Fu Zhenghao recently analyzed Guo Shiqiang's personality, which may shed light on his harsh treatment of Lin Wei. Does this mean that as long as Guo Shiqiang is in charge, Lin Wei will never return to the national team?

Lin Wei is one of the most promising young talents in Chinese basketball. In his sophomore year, he averaged over 20 points per game, and his performance in international training camps like the Adidas Global Training Camp demonstrated his competitiveness against foreign players. This indicates that he is not just a domestic star but also has the potential to excel internationally. The future of Chinese basketball cannot afford to exclude Lin Wei, as he represents the next generation of talent. However, given Guo Shiqiang's temperament, it seems unlikely that Lin Wei will have a place in the national team as long as Guo is at the helm. Even if Lin Wei were to be reinstated, Guo Shiqiang might be reluctant to give him significant playing time due to their strained relationship.

Additionally, Zhao Weiren, who left the team midway through the summer to focus on his studies and did not rejoin for overseas training, has also likely left a negative impression on Guo Shiqiang. The saying goes that flowers need green leaves to truly shine, and in this context, the contrast between Guo Shiqiang and former head coach Aleksandar Đorđević (known as Coach Đorđević) becomes evident. Despite leading the team to their worst-ever World Cup performance, losing the Asian Games title, and being defeated by Japan in the Asia Cup qualifiers, Coach Đorđević is now seen in a more favorable light. At least he was open to advice and genuinely invested in developing young players.

During his tenure, Coach Đorđević organized two short training camps specifically to evaluate young talent and leveraged his connections to promote promising Chinese players internationally, even introducing them to NBA scouts. Guo Shiqiang, now officially in charge, will face his first major test in November during the Asia Cup qualifiers against Guam and Mongolia. However, the real challenge will come early next year when China faces Japan at home in a much-anticipated rematch. If Guo Shiqiang can lead the team to victory, he will not only vindicate himself but also begin to restore his reputation.

The controversy surrounding Guo Shiqiang's appointment and his subsequent decisions has sparked intense debate among fans and analysts alike. The exclusion of Lin Wei, a player seen as vital to the future of Chinese basketball, remains a particularly sore point. Lin Wei's impressive second-year performance, including averaging over 20 points per game and holding his own in international competitions, underscores his potential. His exclusion from the national team, seemingly due to personal differences with Guo Shiqiang, is viewed by many as a significant loss for the team.

Moreover, the decision to call up older players like Gao Shiyan contradicts the initial plan to build a young team for the future. This inconsistency has further fueled criticism of Guo Shiqiang's leadership. Many believe that if he had committed fully to developing young talent, the team would have received more support despite the losses. Instead, his controversial choices have put him in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

The upcoming Asia Cup qualifiers will be a crucial test for Guo Shiqiang. Victories in these matches could help him start to rebuild his image and prove his capabilities as a coach. However, the true measure of his success will be how he handles the team's development in the long term. Integrating young talents like Lin Wei and maintaining a balance between experience and youth will be key to achieving sustained success.

As the national team prepares for future competitions, the focus should be on fostering a cohesive unit that can compete at the highest level. The exclusion of promising players due to personal conflicts or inconsistent selection criteria must be addressed. Only through a clear and consistent approach to team building can the Chinese men's basketball team hope to achieve its goals on the international stage.

In conclusion, Guo Shiqiang's appointment as head coach of the Chinese men's national basketball team has been met with widespread criticism due to his controversial decisions and authoritarian approach. The exclusion of talented young players like Lin Wei has raised concerns about the future of the team. Moving forward, Guo Shiqiang must demonstrate his ability to integrate young talent and lead the team to success in upcoming competitions. The Asia Cup qualifiers will be a crucial test, and only time will tell if Guo Shiqiang can vindicate himself and restore his reputation as a capable coach.