So, I was thinking about the Zhejiang Lions basketball team the other day. It really took me back a bit.
Honestly, I wasn’t much of a CBA guy for the longest time. Just kinda followed the NBA now and then. But I remember, must’ve been a few years ago now, I just happened to catch one of their games. Maybe they were playing Liaoning, one of those big matchups. Can’t recall exactly who.
What stuck with me was the energy. They weren’t maybe the flashiest team, but they played hard. There was this intensity, you know? Especially watching guys like Sun Minghui or Hu Jinqiu back then – just pure hustle. It kinda drew me in.
Getting Hooked
So, I started paying more attention. Found myself checking scores, watching highlights when I could. It wasn’t like I became a superfan overnight, but it became a regular thing. If they were playing, I’d try to catch the game or at least see how they did.
This was actually during a weird time for me. I’d just switched jobs, moved to a place where I didn’t know a soul. Felt pretty isolated, lots of pressure trying to get settled and prove myself at the new gig. Work was long hours, pretty draining.
- Checked scores during breaks.
- Watched games late at night sometimes.
- Gave me something else to focus on.
More Than Just a Game
Following the Lions, their ups and downs through the season, it became this weird little ritual. Something outside of work stress. When they won, especially a tough game, it felt good, like a small boost. When they lost, well, it was just a game, but you’d still feel that little bit of disappointment.
Remember one specific playoff run? They were underdogs, I think. Fought really hard. Didn’t win it all, but seeing that effort, that grind… it sounds kinda cheesy maybe, but it resonated with me during that period. Like, okay, just keep pushing, keep grinding, even when things are tough.
Never actually got around to going to Hangzhou to see a game live at their arena. Always thought about it, like “yeah, next season I’ll make the trip.” But you know how life is, things come up, plans change. Still, watching them on my screen, it was a connection, something steady during a time when other things felt pretty shaky.
Funny how you latch onto things like that. Don’t follow them quite as closely these days, life’s moved on, different routines now. But yeah, thinking back on the Zhejiang Lions definitely brings up that specific chapter. Good memories, mostly. Just part of the journey, I guess.
