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CBA season 2007-2008

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  • CBA season 2007-2008

    Format: 16 teams in the regular season, each 2 teams playing 2 games (1 home-1 away) for a total of 240 games. Top 8 teams advance into the best-of-5 playoffs; the finals will be best-of-7.

    Each team is allowed 2 imports for a total of 60 minutes on the floor. Teams cannot change imports (including injured and deserted) until the 12th round, where they can make 1 change. Playoffs-bound teams can change imports one more time right before playoffs.

    Here's my preview:

    Preseason power ranking:

    1. Bayi (Army) Rockets. Last year's champion will continue its domination led by C Wang Zhizhi. The team also added SF Wang Lei from the NT.

    2. Guangdong Southern Tigers. Losing Yi Jianlian to the NBA is a big blow, but Guangdong is very deep in other positions. PG Chen Jianghua needs to assert himself as the leader of the team.

    3. Jiangsu Dragons. C Tang Zhengdong is fat and slow but nobody can block his baby hooks. SG Meng Da suspended until January for an elbow in Taiwan.

    4. Zhejiang Horses. PF Ding Jinghui will continue his brilliant rookie season. PG Luo Zhi will lead the team, but other players need to step up.

    5. Xinjiang Flying Dragons. C Mengke Bateer will team up with PF Xue Yuyang to prove that he'll still dominate after a year of rest.

    6. Fujian Sturgeons. With PF Chris Porter crashing the boards who really need a center?

    7. Liaoning Pandas. A bunch of excellent guards but C Ernest Brown needs to stay in shape.

    8. Shandong Lions. PF Cao Zhenhua and PF Chen Xiaodong are a very good Chinese frontcourt. PG Wang Gang and SG Sun Jie are not too bad either.

    9. Beijing Ducks. C Olumide Oyedeji aka rebounding machine will decide if the team can make teh playoffs.

    10. Zhejiang Lions. Excellent offseason additions of SG Yu Junkai, who will complement SF Zhang Nan and finally, two big imports.

    11. Honghe Running Bulls. Interesting to see how good Taiwan PG Yen Hsing-su is after 3 years in the entertainment business. C Nigel Dixon and SF Dontae Jones, if they stay, will be a force to reckon with.

    12. Shanghai Sharks. SG Xu Yong will become a star this season, but realistically a team that is composed of 7 rookies won't go too far.

    13. Dongguan Leopards. PF Anthony Myles and C Zhang Kai will continue their dominance inside, but the team seriously needs to up its defense.

    14. Jilin Northeast Tigers. Very organized team led by all-around SF Wang Bo, but talent is not there.

    15. Shanxi Fierce Dragons. PF Major Wingate is a major talent, but the team needs a PG at least.

    16. Shaanxi Kylins. Nothing much to say, really.
    aim low, score high

  • #2
    This Zhang Kai guy intrigues me. From what I've heard, he is athletic and a very aggressive rebounder. I'd heard him mentioned a couple of times as a prospect for the CNT.

    Comment


    • #3
      A very good analysis. There are a few comments I would like to make.

      I believe that Liu Xiaoyu is more likely to be Guangdong's point guard than is Chen Jianghua. Chen is more likely to play the role that import Terrence Greene played last year, more of an offensive threat than leader of the team. Both Guangdong imports this year are big men. How Su Wei and Wang Zheng develop will also be highly important to Guangdong's prospects for overtaking Bayi.

      Wang Lei is the key to Bayi's success since Li Nan was more likely born in 1974 than 1976, and could be even older. Wang needs to be ready to fill Li's role on the team for Bayi to win the championship.

      The key to Zhejiang making a run for the title may be the play of Zhao Hang. Zhao was the second-best player on China's team at the Albert Schweitzer youth tournament in Mannheim, Germany in 2006. He was not as good as Zhou Peng but better than Chen Jianghua. But he got injured and missed the entire 2006-2007 season. If Zhao returns to form, he can provide offense at center. Soumaila Samake only provides rebounds and shot-blocking.

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by guywhoneverspeaks
        This Zhang Kai guy intrigues me. From what I've heard, he is athletic and a very aggressive rebounder. I'd heard him mentioned a couple of times as a prospect for the CNT.
        Zhang was on the National B team that lost in the Asian Championships. He is a definite candidate for the Olympic team as a rebounding specialist. It would not surprise me at all if he beats out Zhang Songtao for the final spot on the team.

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by avolbert
          I believe that Liu Xiaoyu is more likely to be Guangdong's point guard than is Chen Jianghua. Chen is more likely to play the role that import Terrence Greene played last year, more of an offensive threat than leader of the team.
          Regardless of position, Chen is the one with the talent to lead the team, not Liu, or Zhu, or Du or Wang Shipeng. He's unstoppable in the open court and if the coach lets him he'll be their most dangerous weapon. Of course seniority is a big deal in China and he needs to understand that if he wants to reach a higher level he needs to break out this year. Of course he'll have to heal his injury first.

          Zhang Kai aka beanpole has no shot in the National Team. China NT has enough bigs.
          aim low, score high

          Comment


          • #6
            Both of Xinjiang's and Yunnan's starting PGs will be Chinese not from mainland China.


            Song Cun (Xinjiang 5-8 PG) Chinese-American legend from Los Angeles. Captained Occidental College to Elite 8 in NCAA DIII Championship, last year played in Germany's 2nd division Wolfenbuttel, named to Regional 2nd team.


            Yen Hsing-Su (Yunnan, 6-0 PG) Taiwan's famous basketball player and actor/boy band singer/TV host etc.

            Yen's substitute Wang Hsin-Kai (5-9 PG) is also from Taiwan. He averaged around 6p for Bank of Taiwan last year. Originally he was going to play in Japan's BJL this year but the opportunity came up when Chinese-American James Mao pulled out.
            Last edited by sinobball; 10-28-2007, 10:45 PM.
            aim low, score high

            Comment


            • #7
              I've been itching for the start of the new season... having a former actor as a point guard though? How rusty is he?

              Regardless, I guess with Yi in the NBA, I'm back to rooting for Bayi and Fat ZZ.

              Comment


              • #8
                My "Most anticipated Sophomores" list. I have not listed the ages since they are not to be trusted anyway. Most players are probably about 20-22 years old; those who jumped from college leagues to CBA (rare but increasing in numbers) are normally a little older. For this reason, I have not included Yang Chao (195cm, SG, Fujian Sturgeons, 12.2p 2.3r 1.7a 1.0s in rookie season), because he played 4 years for Renmin University in the University league.

                1. Ding Jinhui, 204cm, SF, Zhejiang Horses
                Rookie stats: 14.5p 6.1r 1.6a 1.3s
                Last year's ROY will shine even more after a successful NT campaign. Not NBA material, but he shoots and rebounds and has decent post moves. Quite possibly he will represent in the 2008 Olympics.

                2. Xu Yong, 204cm, SF, Shanghai Sharks
                Rookie stats: 5.1p 1.3r
                "Kevin" Xu, as he was known in Seattle's Bush High Schol, is the best NBA prospect in China less than 7 feet tall. Last year's dunk contest winner will lead the team after the departure of Wang Sizhang (10.9p)

                3. Chen Jianghua, 188cm, PG, Guangdong Southern Tigers
                Rookie stats: 6.8p 2.3r 2.8a 1.5s
                Possibly the most hyped Chinese hoopster EVER, Chen is extremely fun to watch when the coach lets him. Missed most summer games due to a foot injury.

                4. Cun Shouwei, 209cm, C, Yunnan Honghe Running Bulls
                Rookie stats: 9.5p 8.1r 1.3b 1.4s
                Very impressive stats for a young kid last year.

                5. Su Wei, 212cm, C, Guangdong Southern Tigers
                Rookie stats: 3.0p 1.6r
                Yi Jianlian's successor will have a lot of opportunities to use his brusing body down low.

                6. Yang Huai, 195cm, SG, Yunnan Honghe Running Bulls
                Rookie stats: 11.8p 3.5r 1.9a 2.0s
                Kid who can jump out of the gym will have a chance to shine after the departure of Yu Junkai (25.1p)

                7. Liu Xiaoyu, 192cm, PG, Guangdong Southern Tigers
                Rookie stats: 2.8p 1.6r 1.9a 1.0s
                A very mature point guard despite his youth; gained invaluable experience this summer in the NT. Like Chen, he needs to improve his defense.

                8. He Ben, 202cm, SF, Shaanxi Kylins
                Rookie stats: 7.8p 2.5r
                Versatile young player in a very weak team; should develop into a star.

                9. Zhou Peng, 208cm, SF, Guangdong Southern Tigers
                Rookie stats: 4.2p 1.9r
                Excellent athlete with good fundamentals, but needs to have a better feel of the game and gain confidence. Like many youngsters, he also needs to hit the weight room more often.

                10. Yao Peng, 207cm, PF, Zhejiang Lions
                Rookie stats: 6.2p 3.7r
                Attended the Pete Newell Big Men Camp this summer and is set to take a bigger role in the ascending club.
                aim low, score high

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by sinobball
                  Regardless of position, Chen is the one with the talent to lead the team, not Liu, or Zhu, or Du or Wang Shipeng. He's unstoppable in the open court and if the coach lets him he'll be their most dangerous weapon. Of course seniority is a big deal in China and he needs to understand that if he wants to reach a higher level he needs to break out this year. Of course he'll have to heal his injury first.

                  Zhang Kai aka beanpole has no shot in the National Team. China NT has enough bigs.
                  Chen is the player with the most athleticism. But, as with American players, athleticism is not the only factor in basketball success. Some players, like Larry Bird or Magic Johnson, rely more on baskeball IQ. The Chinese are also likely to produce players who rely heavily on their basketball IQ. I believe that Ding Jinhui and Liu Xiaoyu are in this category and that is why I rate them more highly than you do.

                  Yao Ming, Yi Jianlian and Wang Zhizhi make the Olympic Team as big men. But China needs to carry 5 big men. The likelihood is that Mengke Bateer is too old and too slow. Xue Yuyang doesn't have upstairs what he has downstairs. Mo Ke will likely be the fourth big man but he is not an absolute lock. Su Wei is still too young. So that leaves Tang Zhengdong, Zhang Songtao and Zhang Kai as candidates for the last slot. In international ball Zhang is more of a power forward than a center. But he definitely has a shot to make the team. Who do you think will be the fourth and fifth big men?

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    China does not need a 5th big men. In 2006 World Championship Mo Ke and Zhang Songtao both registerd no more than 3 min a game. Yao Ming was concerned that both he and Wang Zhizhi were just recovering from injuries 1 week before the tournament, so he recommended Jonas Kazlauskas to take Zhang Songtao instead of Gong Songlin for the 12th spot. Anyway, with healthy Yao, Wang, and Yi, only 1 other big will suffice. It's going to be either Zhang or Mo. But either way I don't care, since they won't make a difference anyway. China NT's problem is backcourt and wing, not frontcourt.
                    aim low, score high

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      CBA season to start in 2 hours, it will be shown on CCTV-5, so if you have ppstream or sopcast or stuff like that you can watch Bayi-Guangdong opening match ONLINE.

                      http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/...nt_6209114.htm
                      With little competition, Bayi set to defend CBA title
                      By Zhao Rui (China Daily)
                      Updated: 2007-10-26 09:49

                      "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."
                      Li Chunjiang is regaining control over the Guangdong Tigers team after spending last year observing coaches in the NBA in Seattle, Portland and Sacramento. (Guangdong's coach last year Li Qun now is Yi's roommate and will be observing the Milwaukee Bucks coaches).

                      Chen Jianghua will miss the opening match. He'll take a nother few weeks to heal his injury that he suffered in NBA summer league.
                      aim low, score high

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Sinobball,

                        I've seen a couple of pics of Su Wei and he looks huge. Is he more agile than Zhengdong/Bateer?

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by sinobball
                          China does not need a 5th big men. In 2006 World Championship Mo Ke and Zhang Songtao both registerd no more than 3 min a game. Yao Ming was concerned that both he and Wang Zhizhi were just recovering from injuries 1 week before the tournament, so he recommended Jonas Kazlauskas to take Zhang Songtao instead of Gong Songlin for the 12th spot. Anyway, with healthy Yao, Wang, and Yi, only 1 other big will suffice. It's going to be either Zhang or Mo. But either way I don't care, since they won't make a difference anyway. China NT's problem is backcourt and wing, not frontcourt.
                          European teams usually bring five big men to tournaments such as the Olympics. This is because of the number of games that the teams play in a short period of time. There are often injuries, even minor injuries, to big men which can cause them to miss a game or be ineffective for a game. The feeling is that you need five big men to protect the team from these injuries.

                          I predict that Jonas Kauslauskas, being a European coach, will select a fifth big man. Zhang Kai is in the mix of the players who may be selected to sit on the far end of the bench, to only be seen on the court if injuries occur.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            http://www.asia-basket.com/CHN/CHN.asp
                            Bayi Defeats Guangdong to Open CBA Season
                            by Arthur Volbert - Oct 27, 2007

                            Bayi outscored Guangdong 30-18 in the fourth quarter to gain a 102-90 victory in the opening game of the CBA season.

                            Wang Zhizhi led Bayi with 30 points and also grabbed 7 rebounds. Mo Ke had 19 points and 7 rebounds.

                            Wang Lei was Bayi's second-best scorer with 21 points on 7 of 11 shooting. If this scoring average and shooting percentage are maintained throughout the season, Wang becomes a candidate for selection in the second round of the 2008 NBA draft. Hopefully, unlike Sun Yue, he will realize that he must accept the contract that he is offered.

                            The aging Li Nan played 31 minutes with 8 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists. Li is sometimes listed as born in 1974 and sometimes in 1976 but he was born during the Cultural Revolution when record-keeping on birth dates was even less reliable than it is today. So who knows when Li was born.

                            Bayi led 30-27 after the first quarter and 53-46 at the half. The score was tied 72-72 after three quarters.

                            Wang Shipeng led Guangdong with 20 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists. Liu Xiaoyu played 38 minutes at point guard, with 3 points, 4 assists and 1 turnover. Chen Jianghua is still out with the injury that he suffered in the NBA summer league and may have difficulty beating Liu out for the starting point guard when he comes back.

                            Jason Dixon had 18 points and 12 rebounds. Cassiano Matheus scored 16 points and Zhu Fangyu scored 14. Su Wei, Guangdong's promising young center, played 2 minutes and scored 2 points.

                            Bayi 102
                            Wang Lei 21p+5r+2s, Wang Zhizhi 30p+7r+2s+3s+3bl, Chen Ke 8p+2r+2s, Mo Ke 19p+7r+3a+3bl, Li Nan 8p+2r+3a+2s, Wang Zhongguang 13p+6a+4s+0to

                            Guangdong 90
                            Du Feng 8p+5r+1a+5to, Ji Lei 9p+2r+1s, Jason Dixon 18p+12r+1a, Liu Xiaoyu 38min+3p+2r+4a+1s+1to, Wang Shipeng 20p+3r+6a++2s+4to, Zhu Fangyu 14p+7r+3a+1s+1bl, Cassiano Matheus 16p+5r+1s
                            Full game video
                            http://vlink.sports.cn/2007/10/27/1291008.asx (1st half)
                            http://vlink.sports.cn/2007/10/27/1291007.asx (2nd half)

                            Bayi=white, 11 Li Nan, 4 Wang Zhongguang, 14 Wang Zhizhi, 6 Mo Ke, 13 Wang Lei, 7 Li Ke, 5 (the other) Li Ke, 25 Yao Kaifu, 15 Wu Qian

                            Guangdong=black, 4 Du Feng, 8 Zhu Fangyu, 7 Wang Shipeng, 15 Jason Dixon, 23 Cassiano Matheus, 10 Liu Xiaoyu, 13 Ji Le, 33 Zhang Zhe, 11 Zhou Peng, 12 Su Wei
                            Last edited by sinobball; 10-28-2007, 05:23 PM.
                            aim low, score high

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              "MVP Valentine" Yen Hsing-Su had 10p 7r 6a in his CBA debut as his Yunnan Honghe team lost to host Fujian 101-112. Another ticket attraction, CBA legend Liu Yudong (who is coming off his 2nd retirement with another ball club, much like Michael Jordan) only had 2pts.

                              Yang Chao, a 2nd year guard from Renmin University had 32 pts for Fujian, while Liu Ziqiu, a rookie guard from Tsinghua University had 24 for Yunnnan. This is very encouraging news as they are 2 out of half a dozen CBA players coming from the university leagues. More and more will follow and eventually the Chinese sports system will be more like the NCAA-NBA system where a larger pool of players will be available.

                              Full game video:
                              http://vlink.sports.cn/2007/10/28/1291796.asx (1st half)
                              http://vlink.sports.cn/2007/10/28/1291892.asx (2nd half)

                              Yunnan=red, 7 Yen Hsing-su, 11 Liu Ziqiu, 24 Nigel Dixon, 22 Dantae Jones, 15 Liu Hao, 5 Wang Nan, 10 Chen Zhaosheng, 8 Yang Huai, 12 Yang Tao, 4 Wang Hsin-Kai

                              Fujian=blue, 23 Yang Chao, 20 Chris Porter, 8 Lin Chenyao, 21 Wesley Wilson, 11 Zhu Shilong, 6 Sun Tiannong, 10 Lu Xiaoming, 22 Liu Yudong, 15 Yang Genglin, 5 Liang Wei, 8 Lin Chenyao, 4 Feng Tian
                              Last edited by sinobball; 10-28-2007, 05:59 PM.
                              aim low, score high

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