Beijing, June 6 (Zhongxin.com) -- In the tenth year of his CBA career, Zhao Jiwei has had the longest season so far.

"From October 2022 (10) to May 10 (2023), a total of seven months. 5 months a year, we fought for 15 months, don't you think it's long? ”

Cartography: Yu Yiwen

At this time, more than a week has passed since the "longest season" in Zhao Jiwei's mouth. But during the holidays, he still remembers those key time points clearly.

This sense of longevity comes from the combination of the long competition of the past few seasons - reaching the finals for four consecutive years, which means that in the past few years, Zhao Jiwei and Liaoning have repeated the journey of "from the season opener to the finals".

"What touched me the most was the conference format. There are more than a dozen teams in the hotel, and they can see each other every day and eat together every day. In this way, the last two teams were slowly played, until there was no one, and the restaurant became empty. ”

Of course, this also means that in the past few seasons, Zhao Jiwei and Liaoning, who survived to the last minute, have always put themselves in the ranks of the ultimate winner contenders.

In the past CBA Finals, Liaoning won by sweep for the second consecutive year, defending the title for the first time in team history, and Zhao Jiwei personally became the most valuable player in the finals twice in a row.

These honors allow those who have experienced the "long" to blossom.

On the night that Liaoning won this season's CBA championship, the excited Zhao Jiwei put his arm around Allen Guo next to him and kissed him on the cheek. This scene spread through the streets and alleys with the broadcast footage.

"At that time, everyone was very happy and didn't think much about it. Later I saw many screenshots, and things got to this point, and some 'regretted'. Zhao Jiwei joked.

Data map: Zhao Jiwei and Guo Allen in the game. Photo: Osports All Sports Images

It is said that the hardship is good, and onlookers often only remember the later "Gan", but as a first-hand experience, Zhao Jiwei seems to be more difficult to forget the previous "bitterness".

After winning the title of "Finals MVP" for consecutive years, Zhao Jiwei has been compared to Liu Yudong and Zhu Fangyu as the third person in history to unlock this achievement. However, for personal honors, he himself looks very lightly, but he just feels that "with the blessing of this title, the feeling of winning the championship is more wonderful".

Zhao Jiwei holds 2 finals MVP trophies. Photo: Osports All Sports Images

Speaking of the difficulties experienced in this long season, every pile and pile made Zhao Jiwei remember it deeply.

At the beginning of the 2022-23 season, Liaoning suffered injuries. Zhang Zhenlin and Guo Allen were absent one after another, and Han Dejun fractured his finger.

"Of the five starters, three can't play. Coupled with the fact that foreign aid Moreland has not yet returned, the team's roster rotation is difficult, and the personnel has never been in order. At that time, my burden and pressure were heavier. ”

The conference system environment at the beginning of the season also made Zhao Jiwei spend a lot of energy to adapt. He described that period as "the most difficult period."

"Six or seven people in the team were sick, and I was also sick to play the game, and the whole was not in shape. At that time, the mentality was really not very good, and my usual life was very weak. This feeling is fatal for the players. ”

Infographic: Liaoning team players in the game. Photo: Osports All Sports Images

The double test of physical and psychological suffering is another source of that "sense of longness". So much so that looking back now, Zhao Jiwei described this season as "spent in a quagmire".

How to get out of the "quagmire"? Zhao Jiwei's answer was simple and rude. "There's no way to adjust, to be honest, it's just a simmer. With a belief, a breath of breath, really tough. ”

He explains the belief that sustains him as a sense of responsibility: "If you can still play, you can't choose to rest." For the sake of this team, it is definitely necessary to persevere. ”

The deep experience of the "sense of long" is also due to Zhao Jiwei's participation in another championship season of Liaoning team in a more important role and greater responsibility.

The data picture shows Liaoning team member Zhao Jiwei (No. 3 in white) roaring in celebration. Photo: Osports All Sports Images

"For me, the level of involvement was deeper this time. The first time was to help Big Brother as a young player and substitute player, and the last two missions were heavier each time. Zhao Jiwei, who now has three crowns in hand, described this season as special.

Correspondingly, in this season's playoffs, Zhao Jiwei's scores, rebounds, assists, shots, shots, three-pointers and three-point shots have all reached career highs. In his own words, "Better, more mature, no longer too much organization, passing, but relying on individual offense to drive teammates." ”

Also because of the change in the style of play, fans' nickname for Zhao Jiwei has changed from the past "Anshan Paul" to "Zhao Curry", and "upgraded" to "Zhao Baoku (Paul + Curry)".

These nicknames, Zhao Jiwei likes very much, because they all come from the fans' love for him.

If he had to choose one of them, Zhao Jiwei chose "Zhao Baoku". As for the reason, he said: "The name is very northeastern, and it feels better. ”

The picture shows Liaoning Bengang team (white) player Zhao Jiwei in the game. Photo by Yu Haiyang

As a native of Liaoning, Zhao Jiwei attaches great importance to the Northeast "label" on his body, and he is more grateful to Liaoning fans for their support of the team. Whether at home or away, there are always Liaoning fans who follow the team on the sidelines, and Zhao Jiwei sees it in his eyes.

"Our team carries too much hope and sustenance from Liaoning people and Liaoning fans, and they are very concerned about Liaoning team. Friends from all walks of life are paying attention to our competition, and they are also discussing it after tea and dinner, and they love us very much. ”

"In fact, the fans of the Liaoning team are all over the country, and we can often see fans from other places. I also know Zhejiang fans who like the Liaoning men's basketball team. We played against Zhejiang team in the semifinals and finals this year, but they still love Liaobasket. ”

As for the reason why fans respect the Liaoning team so much, Zhao Jiwei explained: "From the beginning of my understanding of this team, there has been the style of 'Liaoning Little Tiger'. At that time, Liaoning team had not yet won the championship, but this team has been fighting hard and does not give up, which will bring you surprises. ”

Yang Ming and Zhao Jiwei at the post-match press conference. Photo: Osports All Sports Images

For this love, Liaoning team coach Yang Ming interpreted it more profoundly: "Our team represents the hope of some ordinary people who are not so successful and even work hard for life... We are a benchmark or a beacon for ordinary people who want to change their destiny. ”

Yang Ming said this at the finals press conference. At that time, Zhao Jiwei was sitting next to him.

"No one wants to leave their hometown, it's just forced by life, so these people can find spiritual sustenance in Liao basket." We also have a strong heart in our hearts to show this fighting spirit in the arena. Zhao Jiwei sighed with emotion.

As the winner of this difficult season, when asked what he would like to say to those who regard Liao Basket as sustenance, Zhao Jiwei's answer is simple and sincere: "No matter what happens, be hopeful in life and confident in yourself." ”

Data map: Liaoning fans at the finals. Photo: Osports All Sports Images

This sentence came out of Zhao Jiwei's mouth and was extremely convincing.

Before this season, Zhao Jiwei had suffered two major injuries in his career. Injuries not only cost him a lot of opportunities, but also affected his performance in several international competitions.

"In previous years, the physical condition was really bad. Especially the shoulder injury before the 2016 Olympics, which did not recover 2019%. Before the <> World Cup, he recuperated for most of the year due to a foot injury, and his ability was not fully realized. ”

The picture shows Zhao Jiwei (left) competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Photo by China News Network reporter Sheng Jiapeng

Two major injuries meant a long wait and a start over again. This is a painful process, but what remains with Zhao Jiwei is not negativity. He will focus more on studying the game and finding a way to play that suits him better.

So, after this long season, the 28-year-old Zhao Jiwei was full of honors and opened the golden period of his career.

For the future, Zhao Jiwei did not think too much. He wants to step up training and bring his aggressiveness on the offensive end to the national team. If given the chance, he is also willing to try to play overseas.

"After all, my career is just a few years." (End)