Basketball: Veterans pave the way for Liaoning dynasty as rising stars shine in CBA

With the completion of a three-peat championship, a new dynasty has emerged in the history of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). The establishment of the Liaoning Flying Leopards dynasty, characterized by a stable yet aging core lineup, has been an impressive feat in the playoffs.

Liaoning's remarkable run now includes 12 consecutive victories in the finals, approaching the record of 13 consecutive wins held by the Bayi Rockets (from the 1995-1996 to the 1999-2000 seasons). Liaoning joined Bayi and the Guangdong Southern Tigers as the third team in CBA history to lift the trophy three times in a row.

The Leopards' success can be attributed to their experienced roster and strong teamwork. The return of head coach Yang Ming in the third phase of the season provided the team with stability. Veteran players like 37-year-old Han Dejun and the injury-plagued Li Xiaoxu were instrumental in the playoffs, consistently delivering crucial performances.

Statistically, Liaoning's playoff performance was outstanding. They averaged 108 points per game, second among all teams, and led in rebounds with an average of 49.9 per game. Their 24.2 assists per game ranked second, and they posted an offensive rating of 119.1 points per 100 possessions, also ranking second. Defensively, they allowed 104.2 points per 100 possessions, the best defensive efficiency in the playoffs.

In the finals, Liaoning continued to showcase their defensive tenacity, limiting opponents to an average of 96 points per game. They restricted Xinjiang's shooting percentage to 43.2 percent and three-point shooting to just 24.4 percent.

Zhao Jiwei, Liaoning's "court brain," was pivotal, averaging 16.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 2.8 steals per game, with a three-point shooting percentage of 41.9 percent.

The Finals' Most Valuable Player (MVP), Kyle Fogg, demonstrated his two-way prowess with averages of 26.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, shooting 42.4 percent from behind the arc. Fogg's remarkable performances in Games 2 and 3 of the Finals, where he averaged 34 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.5 steals with a +14.5 plus-minus, underscored his impact. He was the first player since Guangdong's Clarence Weems in the 2019-2020 season to score more than 30 points in consecutive finals matches.

Absent from the finals for five years, the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, ranked second in the regular season, made a strong comeback with key additions like Li Yanzhe, Zhao Rui and dominant veteran Dominique Jones.

A review of Liaoning Flying Leopards' game results in the CBA Playoffs

Quarterfinals:

Liaoning Flying Leopards 124-87 Shenzhen Leopards (April 18)

Liaoning Flying Leopards 132-93 Shenzhen Leopards (April 20)

Liaoning Flying Leopards 102-80 Shenzhen Leopards (April 23)

Semifinals:

Liaoning Flying Leopards 119-97 Guangdong Southern Tigers (May 1)

Guangdong Southern Tigers 110-94 Liaoning Flying Leopards (May 3)

Guangdong Southern Tigers 98-82 Liaoning Flying Leopards (May 6)

Liaoning Flying Leopards 107-90 Guangdong Southern Tigers (May 8)

Liaoning Flying Leopards 116-95 Guangdong Southern Tigers (May 11)

Finals:

Liaoning Flying Leopards 121-112 Xinjiang Flying Tigers (May 15)

Liaoning Flying Leopards 97-86 Xinjiang Flying Tigers (May 17)

Liaoning Flying Leopards 98-91 Xinjiang Flying Tigers (May 20)

Liaoning Flying Leopards 104-95 Xinjiang Flying Tigers (May 22)

(With input from Xinhua)