Honestly, I really admire Hu Mingxuan as a player!

I was chatting with a Guangdong fan last night.

He asked me, "What's your opinion on Hu Mingxuan as a player?"

I said, "Honestly, I really look up to him!"

Then I went on and explained my reasons at length.

Today, I want to share with you my most genuine feeling:I truly admire Hu Mingxuan for his exceptionally strong mentality.

If he hadn't performed so well in the last two games of the Asia Cup, he probably would have been the main target of online abuse among the national team players this year.

Now, looking back, let's revisit the comments after he went 0-for-7 against Korea.

The two top comments were:"Hu Mingxuan, do everyone a favor and quit on your own!"

"He really isn't up to the national team standard!"

But after the game against Australia? So many people lined up to apologize to him...

Competitive sports are brutally honest, and especially in today's online environment, the saying holds true: being bad is the original sin.

If Hu had made the game-winning shot, even his flaws would be overlooked, and no one would care if he played video games all night...

But have you ever wondered:How was Hu Mingxuan able to deliver in those last two games?

Besides the coach adjusting his role, I think his ability to bounce back mentally played a huge part.

If it were you, could you recover psychologically? It's really tough.

I'm not just saying this in hindsight—back then, I wrote in my post that Hu Mingxuan was crucial and could very well break out.

If you still question whether this type of player deserves a spot on the national team, I just can't relate.

Let's stick to the facts and evidence; arguing for the sake of arguing is pointless:

Since the men's basketball team's loss at the 2019 World Cup—a major turning point—Hu Mingxuan has had the most standout performances among all national team guards in the past six years.

Here are three highlight reels:

1. In 2021, Olympic qualifiers against Canada

Facing a Canadian team with NBA stars like Wiggins and Barrett, Hu Mingxuan scored a team-high 24 points for China, repeatedly breaking through NBA-level defense for tough baskets.

2. Olympic qualifiers versus Greece

Hu Mingxuan led the team with16 pointsand 5 assists.

3. In this Asia Cup against Australia

he scored 26 points.

A Chinese guard scoring 26 points against Australia—who was the last to do that? Nobody knows.

Clutch shots against Joventut, great performances in friendlies against Serbia—those games don't even count here.

You might say it's just picking the best among weaker options, and our guards do lag behind international standards. But

when it comes to big tournaments, Hu Mingxuan has given us the most surprises and signature moments among domestic guards in recent years.

Blind praise is pointless; this player is far from perfect.

His physical attributes are quite limited.

He sometimes plays terribly, frustrating fans to no end.

But if you can't accept his lows, you don't deserve his highs.

In the past six years, Hu Mingxuan has faced plenty of online hate, right? Making it through that storm is no small feat.

"After the storm passes, you won't remember how you survived, or even be sure if it's really over. But one thing is certain: once you make it through, you're not the same person you were before."

As for him, he's clean-cut, has a strong fan base, and could easily make money from variety shows if he wanted to.

But he knows very well there's a difference between fans and true basketball supporters.

Will Hu Mingxuan have a scandal in the future? I can't guarantee it, but so far, his life off the court has been pretty calm.

He hasn't had tabloid drama during the offseason like some of his teammates, hasn't lashed out at fans or the media, and I've never seen him argue with fans in the comments section...

He's never tried to excuse his poor performances, right? People call him a 'connections player,' but has he ever fought back?

He played great in the finals—did you ever see him post his own highlight clips?

He handles both praise and criticism on his own, lacks an outlet to vent, yet still manages to bounce back quickly and deliver big performances. That's why I respect him.

Over the years, apart from fans joking about his gaming...

You'll notice Hu Mingxuan is truly someone who focuses on basketball.

He really embodies the attitude: "Walk your own path and let others talk."

Whether facing Canada or Australia, whether things go well or badly, he never backs down, never hesitates, never avoids responsibility.

He might miss shots, but he's never afraid to take them—never timid.

Hu Mingxuan has technical flaws, but his mental strength is undeniable...

Being mentally strong doesn't mean controlling everything—it means accepting, embracing, and enduring everything.

Mental strength isn't about proving yourself, but about blocking out distractions.

As I post this today, I know there will be differing opinions.

That's okay.