Liaoning lays down gauntlet to title rivals

The Liaoning Flying Leopards are on the hunt for their second CBA title and reckon the league's revamped restart format could work in their favor.

After a five-month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, the regular season will resume on Saturday behind closed doors in Qingdao, Shandong province, and Dongguan, Guangdong province, with each city hosting a 10-team group.

Liaoning, the 2018 champion, is in Qingdao for 'Phase One' of the resumption, which will see the Flying Leopards play seven games in 13 days－including four back to back.

'Phase Two' will begin in July in an as-yet undecided city, with the top 12 teams making the playoffs.

Before departing for Qingdao on Tuesday, Liaoning head coach Guo Shiqiang was feeling confident about the chances of his third-ranked squad, which will face a stern test of its title credentials when it tips off against the sixth-ranked Beijing Ducks on Saturday.

"Over the last few months, our team has been training hard to keep fit and been waiting for the season to restart. The coaching staff are satisfied with the players' performance," said Guo.

"Playing in a championship-style format, the coaching staff have to distribute the players' energy on the court wisely.

"As for our goal, we are definitely hoping for another title."

Guo added that, with his squad's resources spread thinly during the hectic schedule, youngsters such as Liu Yanyu will be seeing plenty of game time.

"Every team we will play against in the first phase has made lots of changes, and we have to adjust through games," Guo said.

With many foreign players unable to return to China due to pandemic-related travel restrictions, Liaoning and the league-leading Guangdong Southern Tigers were among 12 teams to submit all-Chinese rosters for the restart.

Guo, however, revealed that American OJ Mayo would be in Qingdao with the rest of the Liaoning squad and could yet make an appearance on the court for his team.

"Whether or not we will play with a foreigner hasn't been decided yet, because our team and the whole competition system are facing multiple changes. We have to make decisions based on the games," said Guo.

Former NBA player Mayo officially joined Liaoning in March, with Guo impressed by how the 32-year-old has integrated so far.

Heroes hamstrung

The fourth-ranked Shandong Heroes are definitely set to go with an all-domestic lineup after overseas duo of Lester Hudson and James Mays still stranded abroad.

"We need these players to stand up and shoulder responsibilities. After several months of training, we can show something to our fans," said Shandong head coach Gong Xiaobin ahead of his team's departure for Dongguan.

"Without doubt we are affected by having to go with an all-domestic roster, but we have no other choice. We need to be well aware of the difficulties ahead, and prepare in detail.

"However, the most important thing is to rediscover the rhythm of the game. A playoff spot will be our first target."

All Shandong players tested negative for COVID-19 after two rounds of testing. Like all teams, they could expect further testing upon arrival in Dongguan as part of the league's stringent health and safety protocol, which also includes strict quarantine and access controls.

Xinhua