The opening round of the 2016-17 CBA Playoffs will wrap up on Sunday night, but the first team eliminated was defending champions Sichuan Blue Whales, who were swept 3-0 by the Guangdong Southern Tigers. 

Despite the disappointing season, Mike Harris is determined to bounce back soon. That's because the American is focused on helping Sichuan win a second title next year, as he told CGTN in an exclusive interview.

A veteran of eight seasons in the CBA, the crowning moment for Harris came last year, when he led the Blue Whales to their first-ever championship.

But injuries hampered the 33-year-old's 2016-17 campaign, as Harris missed three months with a finger injury. Although he came back at the end of the regular season, he admitted the injured finger had only recovered about 75 percent of its strength.‍

Sichuan's success last winter came mainly thanks to a trio of overseas talents, dubbed by fans as "Deng-Ha-Ha," a combination of the names of Justin Dentmon, Hamed Haddadi, and Harris. But because of a rule specifying that only the CBA's bottom teams from the preceding campaign can have three foreign imports, the Blue Whales started this season without Dentmon. 

Harris admitted that was a big loss for the Blue Whales, but stressed that changing teams is part of professional basketball.

As the longest-serving foreigner in the CBA, Harris is known for his skills, as well as his easy-going personality. The 33-year-old poured in 45 points against his former team the Shanghai Sharks last season. But the Shanghai fans would surprisingly hug him after the game. 

Harris says he feels very fortunate and grateful to play basketball for his supporters in China. The American even takes part in three large WeChat groups formed by his fans, and he tries to answer every question they ask.

The Sharks are owned by Yao Ming, a former NBA teammate of Harris. Harris speaks very highly of the CBA's recently-elected chairman, "When Yao Ming was in charge of the Shanghai Sharks, he would let the coach coach. He does make everything real comfortable."