Against the Spurs, Chen Guohao scored 14 points in the first half! Wembanyama also took the court!

This much-watched NBA preseason game was also the San Antonio Spurs’ “CBA debut,” ending with a 119-88 victory over the Guangzhou Loong Lions.

Here are the main players’ statistics:

Loong Lions: Kaminsky with 22 points and 7 rebounds, Oladipo with 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 steals, Chen Guohao scored 14 points with 3 rebounds, Liu Yancheng added 5 points and 3 rebounds, Guan Ziyu contributed 6 points.

Spurs: Champagnie 16 points, Johnson 16 points, Kornet 16 points and 4 rebounds, Carter Bryant 15 points, Flagler 10 points and 6 assists, Wembanyama 9 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks but committed 6 turnovers.

The outcome was never in doubt, and a 31-point margin is completely acceptable.

In this kind of exchange, let’s not focus on the scoreboard, as expressed officially by the Guangzhou Loong Lions:

Dare to Roam — to boldly explore and fearlessly advance. This is not only the motto for this North America trip but also the core spirit of the young Guangzhou Loong Lions team.

To step out of the comfort zone and showcase talent on the world’s top stage — this is the true meaning of "Roam."

During these three preseason games against NBA teams, the Loong Lions brought six foreign players: Oladipo, Justin Holiday, Kaminsky, Tim Frazier, George King, and Deontae Burton.

The most famous among them is undoubtedly Oladipo.

As the second overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft, he has played for teams like the Magic, Pacers, and Heat, was selected twice as an All-Star, made the third All-NBA team once, the All-Defensive first team once, and won the Most Improved Player award in 2018. However, recent years have seen a decline due to multiple serious injuries, including an Achilles tendon rupture.

Oladipo last played in the NBA on April 23, 2023. That means he hasn’t played in the NBA for the past two seasons.

He needs this opportunity to showcase his skills and earn a ticket back to the NBA.

From the game, it’s clear he’s a seasoned and experienced player.

The Loong Lions’ offense in the first half relied heavily on him and Kaminsky.

Kaminsky, also an NBA first-round pick who faded from the league, still has solid fundamentals as a spacing big man.

However, the Guangzhou Loong Lions represent a Chinese team.

As an ordinary fan, when the outcome is certain, the simplest feeling is undoubtedly:Hoping the local players perform well.

For this North America trip, the Loong Lions brought eight domestic players: No. 23 Chen Guohao, No. 3 Zhang Huafei, No. 21 Zhang Wenjie, No. 37 Pang Yanjun, No. 12 Li Xiangbo, No. 11 Liu Yancheng, No. 24 Guan Ziyu, and No. 14 Li Xiaotong.

Zhang Huafei is 19 years old; Pang Yanjun from Tsinghua University was a first-round pick this year; Guan Ziyu is the newly crowned CUBAL Finals MVP and has now joined the Loong Lions’ development team.

20-year-old Zhang Wenjie, a former MVP of Naigao, came on loan from Shanxi; Li Xiaotong is from Dali High School’s men’s basketball team and is now also part of the Loong Lions’ youth squad.

Captain Liu Yancheng, national team player Li Xiangbo, and Chen Guohao are the veterans.

From the game against the Spurs, every local player on the Loong Lions stood out for their “daring” spirit.

Liu Yancheng took his chances and dared to shoot.

Pang Yanjun dared to dribble and organize under pressure from opponents.

Li Xiangbo, having been tempered by the national team, dared to battle inside against Wembanyama and Kornet.

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The two local players who impressed me the most were undoubtedly Guan Ziyu and Chen Guohao.

Strictly speaking, Guan Ziyu is still a Chinese college player and is not yet eligible to play in the CBA next season; he still needs to develop with the youth team.

However, on the NBA stage, he showed no fear, daring to drive and able to break through. Even though he got blocked by the best defender in the league, that’s normal; being denied by Wembanyama is expected.

Seeing the outside world and recognizing the gap at a young age is the greatest significance.

This player has great potential.

Chen Guohao, in 22 minutes, shot 3 of 6, made 7 of 9 free throws, scoring 14 points and grabbing 3 rebounds, becoming the only Chinese player to score in double digits in this game.

He scored on second-chance points, hit outside shots, and attacked the basket.

All 14 points came in the second half.

Objectively speaking:

1. Due to his height, Chen Guohao struggled defensively.

2. His stats were certainly helped by Wembanyama not playing in the second half.

After all, the NBA’s top rim protector was off the court.

Nevertheless, this was a solid performance against NBA players and an NBA team. The Spurs players also showed great effort today.

So this experience is very valuable for Chen Guohao, who recently transferred back to his hometown team.

The numbers on the scoreboard are cold and impersonal.

However, this was a confidence-building game for the Guangzhou Loong Lions, where the process mattered more than the result.

Next game is against the Clippers; hopefully, they will challenge Deng and Kawhi with more intensity...