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Sharks set their sights lower for new season
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THE Shanghai Sharks are keeping a lid on expectations as they gear up for the new China Basketball Association season that gets under way over the weekend.
Following an offseason of management overhaul, new head coach Ma Yuenan has, not surprisingly, refused to set any specific goals for the upcoming season, only saying that the team’s task is to give 100 percent in every single game.
“Encountering changes is a process of pain,” said the veteran former Sichuan boss at yesterday’s meet with media and fans session ahead of the new season. “I can’t ensure a victory in every match, but I will make sure that everyone is fully devoted to the game.”
The Sharks finished eighth in the 18-team CBA regular season last year. They were ousted 0-3 by the Guangdong Southern Tigers in the first round of the playoffs. The Beijing Ducks won the championship.
The club changed its managing board in May. Ma took over from Wang Qun as the head coach. Zhang Mingji was removed as the Sharks general manager and replaced by former deputy manager Zhang Peizhong.
Apart from the adjustment in the management team, the Sharks have brought in two new foreign players for the coming season — guard Delonte West and forward Michael Beasley, both with plenty of experience in the National Basketball Association.
The new season features 20 teams, with the Sharks visiting the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in their opener. They will face Shanxi Brave Dragons in the first home game on November 5 at Pudong’s Yuanshen Stadium.
Former Chinese star Yao Ming also attended yesterday’s session. Yao, who has invested in his home-town team, said he was not putting any undue pressure on the new coaching team. “It’s good to have more teams this year which means the league is expanding. Regarding the Sharks, the club will put more emphasis on structural building,” the former Houston Rockets center said.
Ticket sales for home games will start from Saturday. The 19 home games are divided into different levels based on who the opponents are. For games against popular teams like Beijing, Guangdong, Sichuan and Qingdao, the price ranges from 380 yuan (US$62.15) to 100 yuan. For other games, it ranges from 300 to 40 yuan.
The Christmas clash against last season’s runner-up Xinjiang Flying Tigers on December 24 has already set the highest ticket price at 500 yuan.
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