In Game 3 of the CBA playoff quarterfinals, Guangdong lost 73-88 to Beijing, trailing 1-2 in the series and being eliminated. The loss once again exposed the team’s lingering issues in the frontcourt, particularly as Beijing’s Zhou Qi dominated inside.
With the season over, Guangdong’s interior problems remain unresolved. Wang Shaojie, who was on loan, has now seen his term expire. He emerged as a surprise performer in this playoff round, holding his own against Zhou Qi and McGee. Although he played limited minutes in Game 3, his defensive impact in Game 2 was notable. However, head coach Du Feng’s usage of him was inconsistent, leaving his future with the team uncertain.
If Wang Shaojie leaves, Guangdong’s frontcourt depth becomes extremely thin. Sallinger failed to make an impact in this series, struggling to score against Zhou Qi’s defense and offering little on the boards or defensively. Lakovic was equally ineffective, playing soft on both ends. Both imports will likely be let go after this season.
Guangdong also has Jiao Boqiao available, but he has yet to prove his value. Du Feng’s tendency to bench him after a strong first quarter has been puzzling. His chances of breaking out next season seem slim.
As it stands, Zhu Fangyu faces immense pressure during the summer recruitment period. Finding a quality big man import is challenging given Guangdong’s limited budget, and domestic signings may not yield results if the coaching staff fails to utilize them effectively.
*Note: The above content is translated from a Chinese sports news article. Some irrelevant platform information has been removed for clarity.*