Image source: Official Weibo of Jiangsu Kendia Basketball Club
Chinanews client, August 19, CBA Jiangsu Kendia Club just announced that the former Chinese men's basketball coach Li Nan will be the team coach in the new season.
The Jiangsu Men's Basketball team wrote in the announcement: "After careful consideration by the club management and after consultation with Li Nan, it was decided to hire Li Nan as the head coach of the team. Li Nan was an outstanding representative of the "golden generation" during the player period. After retiring, he served as the head coach of the Bayi Men’s Basketball Youth Team, the assistant coach of the National Men’s Basketball Team, and the head coach of the National Men’s Basketball Team. He has a very deep knowledge and understanding of Chinese basketball."
The Jiangsu team also expressed confidence that the new coaching team will help the team to build the Kendyya youth army.
Data map: Li Nan. Photo by China News Agency reporter Tomita
Li Nan used to be the head coach of the Chinese Men's Basketball Team and led his team to compete in the 2019 Men's Basketball World Cup held in China. However, the Chinese team only defeated Ivory Coast and South Korea, ranking 24th with a record of 2 wins and 3 losses. This not only set the team's worst record in history, but also lost to the old rival Iran in the Tokyo Olympics ticket competition, and there is little hope of qualifying for the Olympics.
In addition to the results, Li Nan's formation and on-the-spot command in the World Cup were also questioned. On-site fans shouted "Li Nan dismissed get out of class" several times during the game. Finally, on the evening of October 31, 2019, the Chinese Basketball Association announced that it would hire Du Feng, the head coach of the Guangdong team, as the head coach of the Chinese men's basketball team.
Li Nan, who left lonely at the position of the Chinese men's basketball coach, once issued an apology to the public. "When I leave my post, I sincerely say to all those who have been disappointed and sad for the Chinese men's basketball team: I'm sorry. As the head coach, I have not been able to achieve the expected goals. I must take the main responsibility. I don't want to. Will find any objective reasons."
Data map: Li Nan. Photo by China News Agency reporter Tomita
However, Li Nan said that these setbacks will not reduce his love for basketball. He will work harder to think, learn, and improve himself.
On May 28 this year, the CBA Jiangsu Kendia Men’s Basketball Team announced the hiring of former Chinese men’s basketball coach Li Nan as the team’s consultant. At that time, the Jiangsu Kendia team stated that in order to further strengthen the strength of the coaching staff, the club officially hired the former national men's basketball team coach Li Nan as a consultant.
At that time, the Jiangsu team revealed that after Li Nan left the national team, several clubs offered him an olive branch, but Li Nan declined one by one and chose Jiangsu Kendia. "In fact, it should be said that I have been in contact with Jiangsu Kendia for a long time. When I was a player, I made good friends with Hu Xuefeng personally. General manager Shi Linjie used to be a reporter with the Bayi team and everyone knew it well. Later I joined Xuefeng. In the National Team Assistant Palace, I led the national team and Xuefeng served as the assistant coach. This experience not only resulted in deep friendship, but also sufficient understanding and trust.” Li Nan said.
Data map: Li Nan joined the Jiangsu Men's Basketball Team as a consultant in May 2020. Image source: Jiangsu Kendia Basketball Club Weibo
Li Nan also said at the time that he lacked CBA coaching experience and wanted to improve himself in a suitable team: "From my personal point of view, after the national team lost, I have been summing up and reflecting. I really lack CBA experience. I want to improve myself in a suitable team. The concepts of both sides are also very compatible, so I will settle down and grow with the team."
For Li Nan, his first career as the head coach of the CBA team is a fresh start. Hope this shot, "Xiao Li Fei Dao" can hollow into the net, as he has done countless times in his player career. (Finish)