The CBA playoffs are in full swing, with two teams already advancing to the semifinals: the Shanghai Sharks and the Shenzhen Leopards. Shanghai swept the Shandong Heroes 2-0, while Shenzhen did the same to the Zhejiang Golden Bulls. The remaining two semifinal spots will be contested among the Guangsha Lions, Shanxi Loongs, Beijing Ducks, and Guangdong Southern Tigers.
When asked about which team has the best chance to win the CBA title this season, former CBA star Xi Relijiang shared his insights. He noted that Guangdong has been inconsistent this season and their championship hopes are slim. Despite Guangdong signing several new players and loudly declaring their title ambitions, Xi does not see them as a strong contender.
Xi believes Shanghai and Guangsha are the most likely to reach the CBA Finals, with Shanghai being his pick to lift the trophy. He pointed to Shanghai’s exceptional performance this season, highlighting their depth in the frontcourt, backcourt, and perimeter. Shanghai set a regular-season record with 23 consecutive wins and then defeated Shandong twice in the playoffs, extending their streak to 25. According to Xi, this is clear evidence that Shanghai is in a league of their own and will likely clinch the championship.
From Xi’s perspective, neither Guangdong nor Beijing stands a real chance of upsetting Shanghai and reaching the finals. He also expects Guangsha to eliminate Shanxi and then Shenzhen to book their finals ticket. However, Xi is confident that Shanghai will ultimately prevail and take home the CBA title.
Frankly, Xi’s endorsement of Shanghai reflects a widely held opinion, given the team’s near-flawless performance across all positions this season. It’s understandable why many would favor them.
However, I believe Shenzhen could be this season’s biggest dark horse. In the semifinals, whether facing Guangsha or Shanxi, I expect Shenzhen to come out on top and advance to the finals. Once there, even against a formidable opponent like Shanghai, Shenzhen may not be overmatched. With experienced players like Zhou Peng on their roster—Shanghai has no championship-experienced players—Shenzhen could pull off a Cinderella run and seize the championship.
What do you think, fans?