Zhao Rui and Wang Junjie are irreplaceable.

Once calm, the emotional impact of losing diminishes greatly.

We can talk more explicitly about why Zhao Rui and Wang Junjie are essential to this Chinese men's basketball team (without considering naturalized players).

1. The significance of Zhao Rui

It appears we have no shortage of guards, at least in terms of numbers; five were brought to the Asian qualifiers: Liao Sanning, Wang Lanqin, Hu Mingxuan, Gao Shiyan, and Cheng Shuaipeng.

However, each of these five has their own shortcomings, which we can frankly point out.

The guy from Guangxi is suited to be a striker; you can have him carry the explosive load, but can he lead the whole battle? No, he’s not fit for that role and can’t do it.

If the offense stalls and the team needs to break through the defense, he is the right choice to send in.

But Sanning also has a clear weakness: poor outside shooting.

So he might surprise you or he might scare you.

Hu Mingxuan, as mentioned before, is a volatile shooting guard type. Using him means relying on his shooting; don’t expect him to run the offense.

Gao Shiyan needs no further explanation—think of him as a Beverley or Smart type.

Cheng Shuaipeng shares similarities with Gao, serving as an energy spark.

Organizing the offense? Not his strength.

That’s why this time they included Wang Lanqin, who comes from a college background.

But Wang’s problem is his weak physicality; he can’t handle the intensity in high-level competitions.

Everyone else has their specialty areas, which highlights just how crucial Zhao Rui is.

He is the true ball-handling core under Coach Guo’s system and currently the most well-rounded guard on both offense and defense for the Chinese men’s team.

To understand his importance, imagine the Guangzhou Long-Lions without Chen Yingjun back then.

He was the handsome star in that system.

Without a key player like him, the team easily falls apart.

Why wasn’t Hu Jinqiu as outstanding last night? Don’t forget, he’s not a player known for creating his own shots; he excels at finishing plays, and before, Zhao Rui initiated many pick-and-roll attacks with him.

Opponents fear Zhao Rui’s powerful drives, as his large physique gives him a significant advantage in Asia.

Therefore, this team cannot be without the “Chinese captain.”

He might have to make a quick return in the next game...

2. How valuable Wang Junjie is

To explain his importance in the team system, I’ll mention one person everyone knows: Draymond Green.

Of course, I’m not saying he kicks like Draymond, but he is similarly a crucial part of the Chinese team’s operation, acting like a “lubricant.”

When opponents double-team the perimeter ball handler, a central pivot is needed.

Wang Junjie, like Draymond, plays this role well, serving as the tactical link between inside and outside.

He can execute pick-and-rolls, handoffs, and fast breaks, addressing the Chinese team’s long-standing dependence on guards for initiating offense.

Among the forwards in the current roster—from Zhu Junlong to Zeng Fanbo and Zhang Zhenlin—none have this function.

Zhu Junlong is a defensive specialist, a 3-and-D player.

Zeng Fanbo is athletic but mainly scores from beyond the arc, with limited individual ball-handling skills.

Zhang Zhenlin is relatively versatile but better suited for the small forward position.

Why did Wang Junjie deliver such a surprising performance at the Asia Cup?

In six games, he averaged 23.5 minutes, 13 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, with a shooting percentage of 56.1% and three-point shooting at 47.8%.

In the win against South Korea, he was the key contributor, playing 24 minutes and 43 seconds, shooting 9 of 14, 3 of 4 from three, scoring 21 points and grabbing 8 rebounds, and was even taken for a post-game urine test.

Wang Junjie’s big advantage is his versatility as a swing forward who can play both the three and four positions, matching various opponent lineups, able to play physically or shoot from outside.

That move of backing down and posting up is something other domestic forwards don’t have...

Also, when the opponent uses zone defense, Wang standing at the free-throw line creates many offensive options.

Having a forward who can handle the ball is just that valuable.

This year’s Asia Cup showed the most obvious improvement and brightest spot in the Chinese men’s team offense.

In this process, Zhao Rui and Wang Junjie are two key pillars.

Oh, and!

Wang Junjie, representing the University of San Francisco in the NCAA, recently scored double digits in his last two games.

Keep leveling up, young man; the World Cup is where you’ll truly be needed...