Zheng Zhun, a 7’1’’ Center playing for Loong Lions Basketball Club known as a CBA franchise of Nenking Group, announces his retirement and becomes a coach for Loong Lions to assist in their post players’ skills. For more, please read Guangzhou Daily’s following reports.
Zheng Zhun officially retires. For CBA, there won’t be such a tall and graceful shooter like him on the court; but for Loong Lions, there will be a well-seasoned coach in the pain.
The past two years are most unforgettable
Zheng Zhun is no doubt a veteran of Loong Lions as he is the only player that witnesses his team transforming from Foshan Loong Lions to Guangzhou Loong Lions.
Zheng enters the league in 2008-2009 season, averaging 5.5 pts and 2.6 rebs. The next year, he doubles all the stats, scoring 12.7 pts and grabbing 6 rebs per game.
Throughout 13 years of career, he’s been though lots of ups and downs of the team. For him, the past two seasons are the most unforgettable, as he is under Guo Shiqiang’s coach.
“The past two seasons are so impressive. I’ve learned so many things from coach Guo, both tactically and systematically.” Zhen says, “Loong Lions has changed tremendously upon his arrival. We become more cohesive as a team.”
Coach Guo also give huge credit to Zheng, as they’ve joined hands together for the last two season. “we’ve been working together for two seasons. Zheng’s been a vital role in helping us to get into playoffs.” He says, “as a captain and veteran, Zheng has set himself an example to others on and off the court. Moreover, he’s a very self-disciplined. He’s been a valuable asset for us in every aspect.”
Thinking back on his 13 years of career, Zheng feels “relatively satisfied”, yet sometimes he will also think that whether some games would have come different if he didn’t miss a couple of shots. But these don’t matter after all. What’s done is done.
Elite shooters are confident and determined
It can be said that Zheng Zhun is one of those big guys who shoot best in the league. Zheng ranks 10th in the league with a 43.8% 3-point percentage last season, while the 9 before him are wing players or point guards. That being said, Zheng shoots the best threes amongst all CBA Centers.
However, Zheng barely shoots threes in the early stage of his career. In the last game of his rookie season, he nails 23 points with his superb athleticism. Yet, not a single 3-point is made.
In the 2009-2010 All Star Weekend, Zheng says he idolizes Dirk Nowitziki and likes to imitate his shooting. It’s also worth mentioning that the assistant coach of the North team is Guo Shiqiang, which makes the first collaboration between Guo and Zheng.
“Sometimes I’ll shoot like Dirk as I idolize him.” Zheng says, “it’s not a blunt imitation at all. Because sometimes I watch my game videos and I do find some similarities.”
During the 2016-2017 season, the first year Loong Lions moves to Guangzhou, Zheng starts to practice more on his 3-point skills. As a result, his 3-point percentage reaches 40%.
“I seldomly shoot 3s in the first few years but I do shoot many long 2s. So, my coach and teammates tell me to try shooting 3s as many of my long 2s are just one step away from the 3-point line.” Zheng says.
“I’m not that stable at the very beginning. But I’m getting used to it through daily practice. I have to nail down hundreds of three balls every day.” For CBA players, they train twice a day. Zheng must put in hundreds of 3s apart from his daily training. We can image how hard he works.
Zheng’s unremitting efforts eventually pay off as he maintains a very high-caliber three shooting percentage in the past few seasons. In the 2019-2020 season, he’s 3-point percentage skyrockets to 46.3%; in the 2020-2021 season, the number reaches to 47.1%.
A new role and bright future
Actually, Zheng Zhun has played a very high level till last season—he can average 8.9 pts and 2.9 rebs in 16.6 mins for 41 games. But still, he decides to retire from the league after he thinks it through.
“Years of trainings and games have worn me out, both physically and mentally.” Zheng says. The biggest reason that leads to his retirement is that he’s tired. As a matter of fact, Zheng thought of it before the beginning of last season. Yet he finally made up his mind to pass his torch first and delayed it for a year. Thanks to his assistance, Loong Lions made it to the playoffs two years in a row.
Though Zheng retires as a basketball player, he continues his life with basketball. Now, Zheng becomes a coach to particularly for training the big guys.
“It feels alright. Doesn’t change much actually. Same routine every day. When being a player, we talk more about execution, to finish what you’ve been told. But being a coach takes a lot more considerations than that. I hope to teach young players what I’ve learned from my career.” Zheng talking about the change of his identity.
“Zheng is an experienced player and a new coach. And he’s thirst for knowledge. He often asks us about some coaching stuffs.” Coach Guo says, delivering his expectations on Zheng, “His main task will be training players in the pain this year. I hope he can gather more experience to be an excellent coach in the future.”
Apart learning from Coach Guo, Zheng Zhun appreciates Popovici from San Antonio Spurs. “Players under Pop’s coach won’t chase any personal stats but focus more on tactics and executions on both ends of the floor, which is what we should learn from.” He says.
Zheng Zhun plays simply and practically and he admires simplicity and efficiency in coaching. Though he retires, he will continue shine as a coach in the future.