Since the Chinese men's basketball team was defeated by the Japanese team in the 2025 Men's Basketball Asian Cup Qualifiers, fans have been hotly discussed, and they can't help but think deeply: What does basketball need in this sport? Losses should not simply be blamed on coach turnover or individual player ability, but should be looked at the problems of the basketball system as a whole. The current situation of Chinese basketball is worrying, and the men's basketball team is in significant decline, in stark contrast to the glorious performance of the women's basketball team. The glory of the past is no more, and the plight of the men's basketball team is thought-provoking.
In contrast, the women's basketball team is undoubtedly the pride of Chinese basketball, while the men's basketball team has gradually become the talk of people after dinner. In the professional league, the disparity between male and female basketball players is staggering, and the women's basketball players try their best but only get a small return, in stark contrast to the high salaries and comfortable lives of men's basketball players. This disparity is not only a matter of money, but also a reflection of the attitude towards the game of basketball. Basketball should not be a gorgeous coat on the surface, but should be the embodiment of every participant's real dedication and hard work.
Therefore, Chinese basketball is not lacking in potential, but needs to be reformed as a whole. The sluggish situation of the men's basketball team cannot be blamed only on the individual qualities of the players or the coaching team, but requires a deep reflection on the basketball association and the entire basketball system. Basketball is not only a competitive sport, but also a spiritual belief that requires the joint efforts and dedication of every participant.
The change of coach turmoil continues to roar, Djordjevic is a man, not a god. The overall strength of the team is the carrier of the comprehensive quality of each player. However, the arrival of foreign coaches cannot change the common problem of the Chinese men's basketball team overnight. The ability of the players is important, but it is really a difficult task to save the Chinese men's basketball team from the bottom by relying on foreign coaches alone. Moreover, Djordjevic is faced with many problems worth thinking about, from selecting and employing people to formulating tactics and commanding games, there is a tendency to rush for quick success. For the current situation of the Chinese men's basketball team, traditional play, simple tactics, and pragmatism may be more realistic.
The potential of Chinese basketball cannot be underestimated. Although the men's basketball team's results have not been satisfactory in recent years, the outstanding performance of the women's basketball team in recent years is aside. Looking back at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Chinese men's basketball team once made the mighty American team feel terrified. Yao Ming, Yi Jianlian, Wang Zhizhi, Liu Yudong, Zhu Fangyu, Sun Yue, Wang Shipeng and a number of outstanding players, they not only showed dominance in the center position, but also showed a variety of offensive means in the forward and back positions. Their tacit cooperation and solid basic skills made the passion on the field ignite the Wukesong Gymnasium. These players have created the glory of Asian basketball, and their success is built on the skillful coordination of the offense and excellent fundamentals.
The current predicament of the Chinese men's basketball team is indeed worrying. In addition to their strengths in terms of height, appearance and salary, they lack convincing performances on the international stage. Whether it is the Men's Basketball World Cup, the Hangzhou Asian Games or the 2025 Men's Basketball Asian Cup, they have failed to show the level they should have. I hope that in the future, Chinese basketball can regain its vigor and regain its glory!