Shandong Men’s Basketball had a season marked by ups and downs. They climbed into the top four during the regular season but ultimately entered the playoffs in eighth place. In the first round against Liaoning, the team suffered an initial loss, but head coach Qiu Biao rallied his squad to win two consecutive games, eliminating Liaoning with a 2-1 series victory. However, once they faced Shanghai in the quarterfinals, their weaknesses were fully exposed. After losing the first game 79-84, they were crushed 68-96 in the second. The gap in lineup depth and overall strength, particularly in import player quality, left Shandong unable to compete. Following this disappointing finish, the team is set for a major shakeup. Qiu Biao expressed deep dissatisfaction with the four imports and is expected to release all of them during the offseason, aiming to build a new playoff-caliber roster.
After the heavy defeat in Game 2 against Shanghai, Qiu Biao was overheated during a tunnel interview, angrily stating, “Some of these players are not professional!” In that crucial game, only Johnson contributed meaningfully with 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists. The other three imports combined for just 3 points—Chris had 3 points and 3 rebounds, Jones 0 points and 5 rebounds, and Purcell 0 points and 1 assist. Compared to Shanghai’s imports, Shandong’s lacked the necessary desire and competitive spirit, wasting an entire season’s effort under Qiu Biao.
Although Purcell and Chris were key contributors during the regular season, their performances against Shanghai were catastrophic. Purcell was held scoreless in both games, failing to find easy opportunities whether driving or shooting from deep, managing only 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals over the series. Chris scored 18 points and 5 rebounds in Game 1 but fell apart in Game 2, shooting 1-for-8 for just 3 points and 3 rebounds—far from the level expected of a top big man. Over the past two seasons, Chris has shown an inability to perform under pressure and has frequently disrupted team tactics with his ego. It’s unlikely Shandong will give him another chance, effectively ending his CBA tenure.
The release of Jones is almost certain. Averaging only 4 points and 2.2 rebounds in the playoffs, he failed to make an impact on either end of the floor, performing below even some domestic players. Johnson, who averaged 15.8 points, 4.6 assists, and 2.4 rebounds, was the most consistent of the four. However, his offensive game is limited—his scoring relies heavily on driving, lacking reliable three-point shooting, which is a critical flaw for a team already weak from outside. Whether Johnson stays remains uncertain. Qiu Biao might keep him as a reserve option or replace him with a new import.