The Shanghai Sharks defeated the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions in Game 5 of the CBA Finals on the 5th, taking the series 4-1 to secure their first championship in 24 years. The team completed a stunning turnaround in just 20 months, going from a 1-9 win-loss record at the bottom of the table last season to a league-leading 38-4 regular-season mark alongside a franchise-tying 23-game winning streak. Anchored by an unchanged import quartet of Brandon Goodwin, Kenneth Lofton Jr., Kyle Fogg and Hassan Whiteside, the Sharks topped the league in nine statistical categories and shattered the so-called "Finals experience jinx" via solid team basketball. General coach Li Qiuping and team leader Tang Tao were the only two staff members who featured in the club’s previous championship campaign.
Veteran center Wang Zhelin shifted to a blue-collar role for the title run and played through injury with pain-blocking injections, while Liu Zheng sacrificed minutes to foster younger teammates. Prospects Li Tianrong and Li Hongquan came into their own in the playoffs, and second-year youngster Xie Liyongwei posted steady improvement. Second-year head coach Lu Wei evolved from a rookie mentor into a championship-winning tactician; his pivotal in-game adjustments in the semi-finals and consistent daily guidance built team cohesion, paving a bright path ahead for the young Sharks roster.