Hong Kong Bulls celebrate winning mainland China’s NBL, but now clock is ticking
Players told they can have only 20-day break, with Bulls’ next challenge fast approaching
Fresh from retaining the National Basketball League crown in Changsha on Monday, Hong Kong Bulls players were told they needed to halve their usual off-season break to prepare for their title defence.
The NBL is usually referred to as the summer league, but its next season is scheduled to start on December 20, eight days behind the new CBA campaign, with both regular seasons ending around the same time in late April. The move is widely seen as a crucial step towards expansion or the return of promotion and relegation.
“We usually let our players rest for about 40 days, but with the coming CBA Cup and the new season, they can only enjoy a 20-day break this time,” Bulls general manager Leo Sun Xinwei said. “The players have to report back in mid-October.
“Overseas pre-season training would seem unlikely this year, given that most of the overseas leagues have begun. We may bring some foreign coaches over to train our players.”
The Bulls beat Changsha Yongsheng 85-71 in Hunan on Monday evening to secure a 3-1 series win for their second NBL title in as many seasons. It made the Bulls the fifth team since the NBL began in 2004 to win back-to-back championships.