By Darius
Someone once said, "Anything can happen on the basketball court." Indeed, as a seasoned fan who has watched countless games, I still can't fully predict how a match will unfold. Then the recent Women's Asian Cup once again showed me a "David and Goliath" story.
This time, the Chinese team boasted Zhang Ziyu, a 2.20-meter-tall rising star who could be considered the tallest in history, alongside the 2.07-meter Han Xu, making their interior defense seemingly impenetrable. During the group stage, I watched Zhang dominate the paint with ease—her sheer height rendered all defensive efforts futile.
Unlike in men's basketball, where dynamic athleticism (jumping, speed, agility, etc.) varies widely, static attributes like height play a more decisive role in women's basketball. In my opinion, Zhang's natural advantage in women's basketball is even more staggering than that of Victor Wembanyama, the famed freak of nature in men's basketball.
Yet, despite her extraordinary gifts, Zhang couldn't single-handedly secure the championship for China. In the semifinals, they were thwarted by Japan. Despite their overwhelming height advantage in the paint, China was systematically dismantled by Japan's perimeter attack. Led by 19-year-old guard Kokoro Tanaka, Japan's cadre of "small, quick, and agile" players exploited China's slower defensive rotations, with Tanaka erupting for 27 points, including five three-pointers. At just 1.72 meters, her polished skills and lethal shooting served as a stark reminder: "Height matters, but it isn't everything."
Of course, in terms of long-term potential, Tanaka pales in comparison to Zhang, but games are decided in the present, not the future. Zhang's dominance inside is undeniable, but so is her struggle to defend against quick, sharpshooting guards. Her youth leaves room for growth, but the lack of reliable perimeter support for her is equally evident. Had China possessed comparable offensive threats on the perimeter, Japan wouldn't have stood a chance. However, alas, no such players existed on China's roster.
Back in college, I encountered many Japanese exchange students. Once, while practicing on the court, a group of Japanese girls unexpectedly asked to join. They looked petite and earnest, so I obliged. To my surprise, their technical skills were not only refined but strikingly uniform—products of the same training system. None stood taller than 1.55 to 1.65 meters, yet they played fearlessly against any opponent.
Later, I learned that their sports education begins in childhood and continues seamlessly through college and even into adulthood. If this is their amateur standard, their professional training must be even more rigorous. The Tanaka we see today has undoubtedly logged countless hours on the practice court, honing her craft to compete against physically gifted athletes.
Are shorter players in our country doomed to watch from the sidelines? Do they truly lack the potential of those Japanese players?
I understand that height is a gift to be maximized, and basketball is often called "a tall man's game." But that doesn't mean we should focus solely on size; the global game has evolved beyond traditional bigs, and perimeter players who threaten with shooting, slashing, and individual brilliance are rising in prominence.
Perhaps it's time we seriously consider how to cultivate another kind of talent.
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