The highly anticipated CBA playoff quarterfinal series between the lower half of the bracket continues to deliver drama, with recent attention drawn to Zhejiang Guangsha’s road victory over Shanxi. In a crucial Game 2, the defending champions Guangsha Lions defeated Shanxi 86-81 on the road, avoiding elimination. The key factor was Guangsha’s frontcourt dominance, as players like Hu Jinqiu, Wu Xiao, and Zhu Junlong completely overwhelmed Shanxi on the boards. Guangsha grabbed an astonishing 18 offensive rebounds, fueling second-chance points. In the final quarter, Shanxi head coach Pan Jiang made a puzzling substitution, replacing Liu Chuanxing with Ge Zhaobao, which directly shifted the game’s momentum.
Despite trailing for much of the game, Shanxi’s Zhang Ning, Jeronimo (likely a foreign player), and Diallo kept the score close. However, Pan Jiang’s lineup decision drew heavy criticism. During the fourth quarter, Guangsha coach Wang Bo struggled to contain the 2.25-meter Liu Chuanxing. But Pan Jiang unexpectedly pulled the effective center off the floor, opting for stretch-five Ge Zhaobao against Guangsha’s agile forwards. The move backfired instantly: without Liu, Guangsha’s Hu Jinqiu and Wu Xiao collected six consecutive offensive rebounds. In crunch time, Ge Zhaobao missed a crucial three-pointer, leaving Shanxia vulnerable on both ends.
Although Shanxi once showed promise of sweeping Guangsha, Pan Jiang stubbornly stuck with Ge or a small-ball lineup, refusing to give the 2.25-meter Liu any minutes. This tactical stubbornness has put Shanxi on the brink of elimination, especially with the series shifting to Guangsha’s home court, where Wang Bo is unlikely to lose. Regardless of how this series ends, Liu Chuanxing’s lack of usage under Pan Jiang seems set. Standing 2.25 meters with strong physicality and a reliable mid-range jumper, Liu is a traditional center whose height and strength give him an edge over most domestic big men. While his lateral quickness limits his matchup versatility, his length was clearly effective against Guangsha’s elite forward line.
Pan Jiang’s preference for veteran Ge Zhaobao suggests that Liu’s role in Shanxi may be limited long-term. If Liu remains undervalued, a departure could be imminent. This presents a golden opportunity for the Guangdong Southern Tigers, who are desperate for frontcourt help. Guangdong’s center position is a glaring weakness: Jiao Boqiao’s departure seems imminent, leaving only Wang Shaojie as a reliable domestic five. But Wang’s lack of height and reach makes him vulnerable against top centers like Zhou Qi, Wang Zhelin, and Hu Jinqiu.
In summary, Liu Chuanxing is a product of the Guangdong Hongyuan youth system and perfectly suits coach Du Feng’s need for interior reinforcement. If general manager Zhu Fangyu can swing a trade for Liu in the offseason, Guangdong could regain championship contention in the CBA.