"I guess you guys are gonna ask me how will we deal with Yi
Jianlian's absence in new season," Guangdong Tigers head coach Li
Chunjiang said when a group of reporters approached him during the
team's training session.
"I have no idea about how we'll play without Yi. His departure
is a huge blow for us. I am afraid we won't play at the level we
had over the past years."
With Guangdong losing firepower and with the addition of new
blood, the Bayi Rockets are set to dominate the CBA yet again. To
many observers, Bayi's eighth league title is all but in pocket for
the 2007-08 season.
Led by former NBA player Wang Zhizhi, the army-run Bayi ruined
Yi's CBA farewell by beating Guangdong four games to one in the
Finals last year.
Wang claimed the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award by
averaging a scintillating 26.8 points and 10.2 rebounds in the
playoffs against his Guangdong rivals, who had won three
consecutive CBA titles with Yi, while Wang spent his time warming
NBA benches.
Wang was no less emphatic about his title quest this year.
"We have worked really hard and we will try to win every match
in the new season," said Wang, who came back to Bayi last year
after playing for the Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat and Los Angeles
Clippers between 2001 and 2005.
The good news for Guangdong is that the 31-year-old didn't have
an off-season this summer, playing a total of 33 international
games in the national team's six-month training camp.
But 2.12m center likes it that way.
"I feel great. It was one of the best summers I've ever had as
an individual preparing for a new season," Wang said. "Physically,
I'm fine and I'm ready to play another full season."
Adding to Bayi's already formidable roster, the team also signed
rising star Wang Lei, another national team player who played for
Shanxi Zhongyu last season.
The 21-year-old small forward averaged 18.6 points and four
rebounds in his rookie season and has grown into a national team
mainstay with his consistent play over the summer.
"He is the most dynamic forward in China," said Bayi coach
Adijiang. "He has great potential and I believe his joining will
make the team stronger than ever."
For Guangdong, it is a different story.
Yi left for the Milwaukee Bucks and coach Li has seen many
important players added to the list. Unfortunately, it is the
injury list.
Key players, such as Zhu Fangyu, Chen Jianghua and Du Feng, were
all injured playing for the national team this summer.
"It will be a season full of troubles," said Li. "I hope they
will get back on the court as soon as possible. We will play team
basketball because without Yi, none of them is able to lead us to
victory all by himself."
Without a decent big man to play inside, fans would like to see
Guangdong play like the New Jersey Nets or the Sacramento Kings.
But Li said that would not be the case.
"I have to say we don't have Ray Allen or Mike Bibby, so we
cannot copy their way of play" he said. "But I expect a lot from
Zhu and Du, if they are able to find their range right into the
season, we will have some good chances."
Apart from the traditional powerhouses, Xinjiang Guanghui will
also garner a lot of attention this season.
The ninth-place team last year brought in former NBA center Menk
Bateer and veteran coach Jiang Xingquan, and the team will look to
improve on its 50 percent winning percentage after spending big
money in the summer.
Bateer, 32, who returns to the CBA after playing for the Denver
Nuggets, Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs between 2001 and
2004, signed a one-year contract with Xinjiang reportedly worth 4.2
million yuan ($556,000).
"This is a great return for me, I am excited about my new start
here in the CBA," said Bateer.
Down in the south, returning four-time CBA MVP Liu Yudong will
make a difference for Fujian Xunxing. The veteran joined Fujian
after a two-year retirement.
Averaging 28.5 points in his career, Liu led Bayi to six CBA
champions and two National Games gold medals. Also, his rich
experience of international and home competitions has what it takes
to lift Fujian to new heights - or at least, better than its
sixth-place finish last season.
(China Daily October 26, 2007)