As Gu Quan's three-point shot was blocked, the Chinese men's basketball team lost to the Lebanese team in the quarter-finals, ending the 2022 men's basketball Asian Cup tour.
Before the start of the game, many players were infected with the new crown, and they insisted on the game while sick...
In this trip to the Asian Cup in Jakarta, the Chinese men's basketball team fired all the bullets, but the ending was still a little regrettable.
This is like a mirror, reflecting the normality of the team in recent years: in the face of adversity, learn to be strong.
In front of the camera, Zhou Peng, the former captain of the Chinese men's basketball team, told China-Singapore Sports about the Chinese men's basketball team in his eyes.
"In competitive competitions, we don't talk about your difficulties, but about your achievements." After thinking for a moment, Zhou Peng revealed the cruelty of competitive sports.
He, who failed to go out this time, gave praise to the warriors.
At the age of 30, he firmly stated that if the national team needs it, he will still not turn back.
For the fans of the Chinese men's basketball team, he also spoke his own words.
Men's Basketball Asian Cup Tour
China-Singapore Sports: During the Asian Cup of Men's Basketball, there were irrational voices among the fans.
What do you think about this?
Zhou Peng: As professional players, we need to understand the voices of doubt.
The competition is continuous. During the World Cup window period, everyone questioned why the Chinese men's basketball team always collapsed; there are many objective reasons for losing to South Korea in the first game of the Asian Cup.
Due to the impact of the virus, the physical condition of the players is not very good.
After recruiting 5 people from China, everyone did not have time for joint training.
In addition, some players are participating in the Asian Cup for the first time and feel nervous and are not used to the rhythm of the field.
From our player's point of view, it's understandable.
But many fans have hope and expectations for the results of the Chinese men's basketball team. This is a kind of motivation that allows us to play better games.
The picture shows the Chinese men's basketball team in the Asian Cup.
Image credit: Osports All Sports Photo Agency
China-Singapore Sports: Players often face doubts, how do people generally adjust themselves?
Zhou Peng: Players are engaged in competitive sports and are also public figures.
When there is such a questioning voice, you need to understand, because this is what everyone expects of you.
But the size of expectations varies from person to person.
It is impossible for you to explain your difficulties with everyone, but to transform this emotion, to accumulate experience of failure, to improve your level, and to strive harder to win.
China-Singapore Sports: At the risk of the epidemic, the team is fighting overseas.
As far as you know, what team daily details can you share?
Zhou Peng: After learning that some players on the team were infected with the new crown, I also went to understand the situation with them.
At that time, the players were very sick, and they were isolated in their rooms with a high fever.
After the test result turned negative to allow the game, the physical condition was also very weak.
You also need to use your body to fight and run on the field, which is quite difficult for athletes.
China-Singapore Sports: The 5 players who were called up urgently provided a lot of help to the team.
How do you feel about this?
Zhou Peng: Their actions are brave and admirable.
As Chinese basketball players, it is our duty to respond to the call without hesitation when the motherland needs it.
This also brings encouragement to the team members overseas: no matter how difficult it is, we will always be a team, and the motherland will always give us arms.
Overseas, the probability of contracting the new crown will be very high.
Like Zhai Xiaochuan, he may have a fever as soon as he arrives there, but he still insists on going to the game.
It's not only an inspiration for us, but a lot of fans as well.
Men's basketball recent performance
China-Singapore Sports: How do you evaluate the recent performance of the Chinese men's basketball team?
In what ways has the team grown?
Zhou Peng: In extraordinary times, the spirit of these players to be able to play for the country is worthy of recognition.
Many people may not know that the national team needs to be isolated from the beginning of concentrated preparations. Before going abroad, it has been in a closed-loop state. The depressed mental state requires its own strong psychological adjustment.
The team members can bear this kind of pressure and fight abroad, and everyone's attitude is worthy of recognition.
China-Singapore Sports: As the coach of both the national team and the club, Du Feng is also under great pressure. What do you think of this?
Zhou Peng: In Guidance Du, the saying "The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility".
From last year's National Games, to the league, to the World Preliminary window game, and then to the expedition this time, he may be in a state all year round.
He has persisted until now and is worthy of our admiration.
Moreover, there will be a lot of external pressure and voices of doubt in the position of the (national team coach), which needs to be digested slowly by oneself.
Data map: Zhou Peng dunks in the game.
Image credit: Osports All Sports Photo Agency
Zhou Peng National Team Career Retrospective
China-Singapore Sports: In August 2019, an injury during training made you miss the Basketball World Cup.
Is this a regrettable experience in your national team career?
Zhou Peng: I missed the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2019 World Cup at my doorstep. I really don't want to miss it.
The preparation for a summer has been very hard.
In a practice match before the game, he suffered a severe scuttling of his foot.
Because the recovery time is not as fast as I thought, to speed up the recovery time, I increase the training.
However, due to the anxious mentality, coupled with his own injuries, he could not bear this amount of training, and it turned out to be a regret in his career, and he failed to go out for the country at home.
At that time, many people questioned that I might not come back and would retire because of this.
Finally being able to get out of the injury, and won two championships in the league, is a great affirmation of myself, and it is also a good memory point for my career.
China-Singapore Sports: What has been your biggest growth in the years of playing for the national team?
Zhou Peng: On the platform of the national team, I have seen a lot of the outside world, and I have made a lot of progress in basketball skills and basketball IQ.
That's why I've been able to stand on the basketball court all the time and stay in my current state.
The future of Chinese men's basketball
China-Singapore Sports: The Chinese men's basketball team is undergoing a transition between the old and the new. As a battle-hardened veteran, what message do you have for the younger players?
Zhou Peng: The age group of competitive sports is cruel, and the age structure of the national team is even more cruel.
We take the four-year Olympic Games as a cycle, and we need fresh blood to come in.
I hope they can understand the international game more quickly, and take on the role of national team players more quickly, so that Chinese basketball can continue to improve.
Data map: Zhou Peng shot in the game.
Image credit: Osports All Sports Photo Agency
China-Singapore Sports: What kind of collective do you think the Chinese men's basketball team is?
Zhou Peng: During my years in the Chinese men's basketball team, the team has experienced low tides and happy cheers together.
He is a united, mutually helpful group.
We can all be together, for the goal in our hearts, to strive and pay in the same direction.
No one cares about personal gain or loss, whether in difficult times or in times of glory.
China-Singapore Sports: The Chinese men's basketball team is actively preparing for the Paris Olympics. What areas do you think the team needs to improve?
How long until the next time you wear the national team jersey?
Zhou Peng: We need to adapt to the new Olympic threshold rules.
No matter what difficulties there are, it is what every Chinese basketball player should do to make the Chinese men's basketball team work hard in the Olympic Games.
I hope this group and the players that follow will keep their mission in mind and bring the Chinese men's basketball team back into the Olympic cycle.
Since I am a Chinese basketball player, as long as the national team needs it, I will definitely not turn back.
The specific time depends on the decision of the leaders.
China-Singapore Sports: The outside world is not optimistic about the development prospects of the Chinese team.
When do you think the Chinese men's basketball team will rebound again in the future?
How do you view the development trend of the Chinese men's basketball team in the next few years?
Zhou Peng: The results depend on the hard work of the players. There must be a group of players who grow together to support the national team's progress. This kind of opportunity is hard to come by.
Now many players will play in overseas leagues in the summer, which is a good thing. To see the level of the international arena and the current basketball trend will also have a very good effect on improving the performance of Chinese basketball.
Data map: Zhou Peng made a breakthrough in the game.
Image credit: Osports All Sports Photo Agency
China-Singapore Sports: In your opinion, with more players going to overseas high-level leagues, is it likely to become the development trend of the Chinese men's basketball team in the next few years?
Zhou Peng: It may be difficult for players to go to overseas leagues in recent years. It is easier to go out with a team.
I hope that each team or teams of different levels can let players know more about the world of basketball.
Zhongxin Sports: What do you want to say to the fans?
Zhou Peng: Everyone's expectations for the Chinese men's basketball team are reasonable.
In competitive competitions, you don't talk about your difficulties, but about your achievements.
The positive feedback from the fans will be humbly accepted by each of us.
The goal in everyone's heart is to go out for the country, strive for better results, and make all Chinese basketball fans happy. Their happiness is the happiness of Chinese basketball people.
I hope more people will support Chinese basketball and support the Chinese men's basketball team. This motivation will make the Chinese men's basketball team achieve better results.
(Liu Xingchen)