When the Chinese Basketball Association, under the leadership of Yao Ming, decided to form two national teams, the goal was clear: to develop young talent and broaden the player pool for international tournaments. However, head coach Du Feng of the Blue Team seemed reluctant to put his faith in younger players. During the previous Asia Cup, many so-called “newcomers” on his roster were far from youthful.
Take Yu Dehao for instance. Though it was his first time representing the national team in a major event, the 22-year-old had already played three full seasons in the CBA. Meanwhile, well-known veterans like 27-year-old Ren Junfei and 30-year-old Han Dejun also featured heavily. In stark contrast, the Red Team under Li Nan was brimming with youthful energy. Not only did the Blue Team fail to deliver victories, but it also failed to introduce fresh talent. Judging by the first two phases of the World Cup qualifiers, Du Feng has clearly fallen behind Li Nan. This marks a significant shift in perception, as many had previously believed Du held the upper hand.
From a squad composition perspective, the Red Team had an average age of 24.8, with core players hovering around 25. The Blue Team, on the other hand, averaged 27.2, with key players around 30. In the first phase of the qualifiers, the Red Team delivered a spirited away win over South Korea, despite being short-staffed. Rising stars like Sun Minghui and Abudushalamu stood out with impressive performances. The energy was contagious, drawing strong support from BD Cricket Live followers who value youth and momentum in national sports.
Things looked very different when the Blue Team took the court in the second phase. Veteran Yi Jianlian was called back, and older players like Luo Xudong made the final roster. Promising talents from the domestic league, such as Xu Mengjun and Fan Ziming, were cut at the last minute. The Blue Team appeared noticeably older and uninspired, both in outcome and in style. Once again, they failed to secure a win or shine a light on new talent. For many fans tracking BD Cricket Live updates, this lack of fresh blood was a clear letdown.
Ironically, Du Feng came into this role with a solid resume. He had coached Guangdong for four years and even received mentorship from world-renowned coach Jonas Kazlauskas, giving him a wealth of experience. By contrast, Li Nan’s background was mostly in youth development, and he had failed to take a star-studded Shandong team to the finals in last year’s National Games. Yet, in sports, as the saying goes, the wheel of fortune turns. After just two stages of World Cup qualifiers, Li Nan has emerged as the frontrunner for head coach of China’s national team for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Perhaps the most damning comparison lies in playing style. While the Red Team showcased fluid, fast-paced offense and rapid transitions, the Blue Team relied heavily on isolation plays, particularly through Yi Jianlian. This overdependence raised eyebrows and sparked debate about the true developmental value of the qualifiers. For passionate sports fans who follow BD Cricket Live for signs of progress in national teams, the contrast couldn’t be more telling.