In Game 2 of the CBA playoffs quarterfinal series between the Shanxi Loongs and the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions, Guangsha managed to secure an 86-81 victory on the road despite playing without their star guard Sun Minghui. Evened the series at 1-1, the defending champions capitalized on Shanxi’s questionable decision to bench their in-form center, Liu Chuanxing, during the critical final quarter.
With Liu on the bench, Guangsha dominated the boards, led by Hu Jinqiu, Zhu Junlong, and Wu Xiao. The Lions grabbed 18 offensive rebounds overall, with Hu and Wu both pulling down three in the fourth quarter alone. This rebounding edge ultimately proved decisive, as Shanxi head coach Pan Jiang opted for stretch five Ge Zhaobao over Liu, even after Liu had been playing well.
Pan’s choice was puzzling, given Liu’s strengths: standing 2.25 meters tall with solid post defense and a reliable mid-range shot, he provides a clear advantage in rim protection and rebounding. However, his slower lateral movement has apparently made Pan hesitant to use him in critical moments. After the game, many speculated that Liu might not fit into Shanxi’s long-term tactical plans.
If Shanxi is unwilling to fully utilize Liu Chuanxing, other CBA teams could be interested. As a former Guangdong Southern Tigers youth product, Liu could potentially return to the team through a deal with general manager Zhu Fangyu. Guangdong has a glaring weakness in the paint—starting center Wang Shaojie, despite his hustle, lacks the height and wingspan needed to compete against championship-level fives. Meanwhile, national team center Jiao Boqiao appears unlikely to commit fully to head coach Du Feng, and promising young center Xu Xin’s future remains uncertain.
The upcoming offseason represents a golden opportunity for Guangdong to bring Liu back into the fold. If Shanxi fails to overcome Guangsha and ends up losing the series, not only could Pan Jiang face the sack, but key players like Liu Chuanxing might also be put on the trading block. For Guangdong, seizing this chance could solve their interior woes and reinvigorate their title aspirations.