Does the Chinese men's basketball team still need Zhou Qi? Let's talk about personal views!

The Chinese men's basketball team staged a comeback against the provincial team.

Zhou Qi also made his own "contribution."

Perhaps you'd ask, how did he contribute when he didn't even play?

From the result, his absence was a contribution to the team...

Zhou Qi participated as a commentator.

Yang Yi teased him before the game:

"Everyone is really looking forward to your commentary, because whenever you sit here, the Chinese men's basketball team's win rate is very high."

The "Great Demon King" responded: "So you're saying the win rate is high as long as I'm not there, right? That's fine, as long as we win wherever I am."

To be honest, his mentality is really something; he can handle any joke thrown at him.

When they were runners-up in the Asia Cup, Zhou Qi didn't play.

In the two games he played against South Korea, the team lost.

This time, he was absent due to injury, and the team happily went on a winning streak.

So, does this mean the Chinese men's basketball team doesn't need Zhou Qi anymore?

Let's discuss this topic today!

Brother Di states the conclusion first:Zhou Qi can be included, but the coach absolutely must not use him the way they did in those two games against South Korea.

Where is Zhou Qi's strength? In his rim protection.

Even now, Zhou Qi remains, in my view, the best defensive center in all of Asia. Even with injuries and his form not being as good as when he first returned from Australia, his defense is still in a class of its own.

I watched the Asia Cup qualifier in Shenzhen last February where China beat Japan 100-58.

Against their big center, Kirk, Zhou Qi's defense was overwhelming; he handled him with ease.

Whether it's Yang Hansen, Hu Jinqiu, or Yu Jiahao... our domestic big men can't replicate Zhou Qi's defensive impact.

The "Great Demon King" stands 2.17 meters tall with a 2.33-meter wingspan, plus excellent defensive anticipation...

Just from a defensive matchup perspective, if Zhou Qi were there, that Gao Bokai yesterday wouldn't have had it so easy.

But let's pause the praise for him here.

However, if Zhou Qi were playing, it's unlikely the Chinese men's basketball team would have scored 100 points yesterday.

A major issue is: whenever he's on the court, his teammates instinctively become reliant.

Including what many commentators express:"In Asian games, we should start our offense from the inside!"

That's the correct principle.

But we must never forget, Zhou Qi is not Yao Ming, not Wang Zhizhi, not Yi Jianlian.

Even in the CBA, he isn't a player who consistently posts up and battles inside.

First, it's physically draining; second, he's not adept at low-post play, making that approach inefficient (especially given his unreliable free-throw percentage).

In those two games against South Korea, our offense was stagnant. Isn't that related to the misuse of Zhou Qi?

The opponents were fully prepared for our offense targeting Zhou Qi, double- or even triple-teaming him as soon as he caught the ball, willing to let him get just 1 point from free throws.

Why just 1 point? Those who know, know...

What he excels at is "Gobert"-type work: setting screens, rolling to the rim, finishing occasional lobs. But if the team expects him to be "Jokic," isn't that awkward?...

With Zhou Qi absent, the Chinese men's basketball team rediscovered some of that Asia Cup feeling: everyone fighting hard, each giving their all.

Besides tactics and skills, another crucial point:A good team must fight together as one, not simply be pieced together.

In national team games, Zhou Qi certainly wants to win and will undoubtedly play hard.

But can he be in sync with the team's rhythm? That's key.

The success in the Asia Cup was inseparable from the unity of the Chinese men's basketball team.

And Zhou Qi's experience and the team's overall vibe may not fully align. Teammates might feel some degree of fear or awe towards him.

Based on the above two points, my conclusion is:

For the two games in July, Zhou Qi can be included (provided he's relatively healthy).

Whether facing Hawkins or Rui Hachimura (who might play), or the provincial team's Gao Bokai, we need his rim protection.

Zhou Qi is a situational weapon, not an absolute mainstay.

But how do we ensure his inclusion doesn't disrupt the team's chemistry?

Can he himself willingly accept this new role?

That task falls to the coaching staff.

Basketball is never just about assembling personnel.

Zhou Qi can be a piece of the men's basketball team'sstrongest shield, but he must never become the team's sole reliance.

A team that goes far never relies on just one person to guard the paint.

It relies oneveryone together, guarding the same collective spirit.

Unity of heart reaches greater heights than physical height.

Brother Di believes this is a fairly objective take.