Guo Shiqiang officially becomes head coach of Guangzhou Loong Lions

Guo Shiqiang, former head coach of the Liaoning Flying Leopards gives instructions in the game against the Nanjing Monkey Kings in Nanjing, capital city of east China's Jiangsu Province, January 16, 2020. /VCG

Former head coach of the Liaoning Flying Leopards Guo Shiqiang was officially appointed by the Guangzhou Loong Lions as their new coach, the southern club announced on Weibo on Saturday.

"I'm glad to join the Loong Lions. It will be a new challenge to my coaching career to lead this vigorous young team in the new CBA season. I will try my best to turn all the pressure of the job into the driving force for the team. The team and I are moving forward together and there is nothing we fear," said Guo in the statement.

Guo's former employer Liaoning also expressed their gratitude for his work and well wishes for his next career move. Having spent 12 seasons with Liaoning, Guo led the team into the playoffs nine times and the finals four times. In 2018, he helped Liaoning win their first CBA championship in franchise history.

Guo Shiqiang, former head coach of the Liaoning Flying Leopards, reacts to the game against the Shanghai Sharks in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, June 24, 2020. /VCG

In late June, Liaoning suffered three losses in four games since the season restart before Guo decided to resign. Yang Ming took over from him. The team on Friday night knocked the Xinjiang Flying Tigers 2-0 to make the CBA Finals.

Guangzhou finished this season with a 10-36 record, ranking 18th out of 20 teams. They are one of the downright weakest teams in today's league. It will definitely take Guo some time and efforts to change the organization.

Fan Ziming (R) of the Xinjiang Flying Tigers tries to drive into the paint in the game against the Beijing Royal Fighters in Qingdao, August 3, 2020. /VCG

There was some good news for him. 22-year-old big man Fan Ziming will return to Guangzhou after two-year-loan in Xinjiang. Though he played for two years as the substitute for Zhou Qi, Fan had some highlights in the games against heavyweight opponents. For example, in the game against the Guangdong Southern Tigers, Fan got 26 points, 12 rebounds. He scored 21+10 facing Wang Zhelin in the game against the Fujian Sturgeons. In the playoff semifinals against Liaoning, Fan averaged 14.5 points, 5.0 rebounds.

Guangzhou have been an imbalanced team this season. They had a CBA average offense but the league's bottom defense. Fan's return plus Guo's instructions should be able to change this. Of course, Guo's connections in the basketball circle can also be of great help in improving Guangzhou's franchise.