What are some players in the history of Chinese men s basketball team who have NBA levels but have not joined the NBA

There are indeed some players in the history of the Chinese men's basketball team. Their talent, skills or levels shown in a specific period are considered to have the potential to gain a foothold in the NBA or reach the marginal NBA level. However, due to injuries, restrictions on the times (few international exchanges, immature draft system, domestic system), age, fierce competition in position, and personal choices, they ultimately failed to enter the NBA. Here are some representative figures that are often mentioned:

Hu Weidong:

recognized as one of the closest ones. Known as "China Jordan", he was the core and number one scorer of the Chinese men's basketball team from the mid-to-late 1990s to the early 21st century.

Strength manifestation: Have top shooting ability (especially three-pointers), excellent athletic ability (bounce, speed), comprehensive scoring skills (breakthrough, emergency stop jump shot) and certain organizational skills. When he played against the American "Dream Team Three" at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, he completed a fast break dunk on Scotty Pippen and scored the highest score in the team; he scored 33 points against South Korea in the 1998 Asian Games final.

NBA Opportunities: In 1998, the Dallas Mavericks (now the Mavericks) offered a short contract of 10 days, but Hu Weidong missed it due to a knee injury. In 2000, the Orlando Magic also expressed interest and offered a contract, and he failed to make a move due to injury.

Evaluation: It is generally believed that his technical characteristics and scoring ability during his peak period, especially his shooting, are fully capable of serving as a rotation player in the NBA and even become a major substitute scorer in some teams.

Gong Xiaobin:

"King of Xiaoyao", one of the representatives of the "golden generation" of the Chinese men's basketball team, playing as power forward/center.

Strength manifestation: With Asia's top inside technology, gorgeous steps, soft touch, strong response ability and extremely high football quotient. Although physical confrontation is not top-notch under NBA standards, its technology, awareness and basketball IQ are outstanding. He was an important pillar of the Chinese team's inside line at the 1994 World Championships and the 1996 Olympics.

NBA Potential: At that time, NBA scouts recognized his skills and talents. If he had been born ten years late, in an era when the NBA paid more attention to international players' skills and space, he would have a great chance of winning the favor of NBA teams with his outstanding low-post skills and support skills. But in the 1990s, his physical condition may become an obstacle, but his technical ability is unquestionable.

Mu Tiezhu:

Legendary center, 2.28 meters tall (some data say it is taller), is the absolute core of the Chinese men's basketball team in the 1970s and 1980s.

Strength manifestation: At that time, both Asian and world basketball were extremely dominant, and relying on their huge height and tonnage to score, rebounds and defense were extremely powerful at the basket. He led the Chinese team to win the Asian Championships and Asian Games championships many times, and led the team to win two wins in 1979 (at that time, NBA players did not participate in international competitions).

NBA potential discussion: His era (early 70s and early 80s) The NBA has little communication with China. His height and dominance at the basket are natural NBA-level advantages. Although the movement speed and technology under modern basketball philosophy may be limited, referring to some giant centers in the NBA (such as Mark Eaton), if he was trained and developed in the NBA system, it would be possible to gain a place in the NBA with his huge size and the basket ability he showed at the time, especially in that era that was more dependent on traditional centers.

Liu Yudong:

"God of War", one of the greatest players in CBA history, power forward.

Strength manifestation: It is known for extremely accurate mid-range shooting (especially straight-arm jump shot), super confrontational ability, tough will and a big heart at critical moments. It is an almost unstoppable scoring machine in the CBA arena, leading the Bayi team to win the championship many times and won the MVP and scoring champion.

NBA disorders: mainly due to age (nearly 30 years old when you reach your peak), serious knee injuries (there are bones that are broken in your knees all year round), and height (about 2 meters) are not advantageous in the NBA's fourth position. His style of play relies more on confrontation and central shooting. Under the requirements of athleticism and space at the NBA level, the defensive end may face challenges. But in terms of its mid-range shooting stability, key ball ability at its peak, as well as its tenacious mental attributes, they are considered to have the ability to try in specific roles (such as bench scorers), but unfortunately injuries and age are huge obstacles.

Song Tao:

The most regrettable "missers".

Potential: Height 2.08 meters, plays as a striker, has excellent bounce and athletic ability rare in Chinese players at that time, and has comprehensive skills.

NBA Opportunity: The 67th pick in the third round of the 1987 NBA Draft was selected by the Atlanta Hawks and signed a formal contract! He will become the first Chinese player to enter the NBA.

Reason for failure: Shortly after signing, he suffered a devastating knee injury (a patella comminuted fracture) during national team training, completely ruining his NBA dream. If it weren't for the serious injury this time, he would most likely have become a member of the NBA in the late 1980s.

Other names that are often mentioned or controversial:

Li Xiaoyong:

The top point guard of the Chinese men's basketball team in the 1990s, with a stable organization, a basket, and good psychological quality (the key performance of the 1996 Olympics against Argentina). By the standards at that time, he had excellent skills and awareness, but the NBA had extremely high requirements for the physical fitness, speed and explosive power of the point guard. He was considered to be close to but it was difficult to reach the NBA rotation level.

Adejiang:

"Magic", his ball control skills are superb, and he is a ghost passing game. However, height (about 1.82 meters) and projection ability are huge shortcomings, and it is extremely difficult to survive in the NBA.

Summary and Background Considerations:

The Limitations of the Times: Before Yao Ming, Chinese players faced huge information barriers, institutional obstacles, cultural differences and imperfections in scouting networks to enter the NBA. Many players' potential has not been fully explored or evaluated by the NBA.

Position and Playing Style: The NBA has very specific requirements for players' physical fitness and position. Some players who have won all sides under the FIBA ​​system (especially the inside line) may be difficult to adapt in the NBA due to speed, defense or specific skill defects.

Injury: Song Tao is a typical case, and Hu Weidong and Liu Yudong were also deeply affected.

"NBA level" definition: This usually refers to having the ability to be a stable rotation player or marginal rotation player on an NBA team, not an All-Star level. Most of the above-mentioned players are considered to have such potential or strength, but ultimately failed to achieve it for various reasons.

Hu Weidong, Gong Xiaobin, and Song Tao (before injury) are recognized as the closest and considered to be the most powerful representative figure in the NBA. Mu Tiezhu has triggered a widespread "if-theory" discussion due to his special era and physical conditions. Liu Yudong's peak ability is also often mentioned, but injuries and age are unavoidable obstacles. Although these players did not enter the NBA, they were all the banner of Chinese basketball and made indelible contributions to the development of Chinese basketball.