Foreign Aid's Winning Shot Sparks Conflict! In 1998, this was absolutely the most unique All-Star Game in CBA history.

Continuing yesterday's topic.

Over the years, whenever discussing the CBA All-Star Game, there have been suggestions (including in yesterday's comments):

Could we have a match between CBA foreign players and local players?

From the perspective of topic appeal and traffic, it's indeed a great idea, and I believe everyone is quite excited.

However, this isn't a particularly creative suggestion.

Because the CBA tried it 28 years ago.

And what happened? A conflict erupted.

Many might not know about this, as in 1998, you might not have been born yet...

This post will tell the story.

The 1998 CBA All-Star Game can be considered the most unique in the league's 31-year history. Because it was the only event featuring a match between domestic players and a foreign aid team.

The story begins in 1997.

At the Asian Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Chinese men's basketball team lost to their Asian "rival," South Korea.

Under this background, for the 1998 All-Star Game, to give national team players more experience, the basketball management center came up with this idea.

The game was held in Liaoning, Shenyang.

The local lineup mostly appeared on the CBA All-Star stage last night, having since become basketball "legends," with several inducted into the Hall of Fame...

Coach Wang Fei, players included Gong Xiaobin, Ji Minshang, Ju Weisong, known as the Shandong trio; Wang Zhizhi, Li Nan, Zhang Jinsong, Li Xiaoyong, Wu Naiquan, Hu Weidong, Batel, Liu Tie, and the Shanghai giant Yao Ming, who was selected for the All-Star Game for the first time.

Since the game was on April 4th, many foreign players had already left China, so the international team only had nine members: dunk champion James-Hodges, Charlie Mand, Wei Wen, Benny, Marin, Vidas, Spenser, Ray Kelly, and Alston.

The coach everyone knows: Zhang Weiping.

At that time, "Weiping-Bryant" was working at International Management Group (IMG). He was responsible for recruiting players, and since Zhang Weiping spoke good English, he was appointed as coach.

In that era, CBA foreign aids were far less powerful than today, and before the game, Chinese fans and media were quite confident.

And what happened?

The star-studded local team was defeated by a last-second shot.

From the perspective of officiating, the referees tried to help the home team enough. At the last moment, they even gave Hu Weidong a foul shot. However, Sichuan team's foreign aid Ray Kelly still made a long-range three-pointer, 83-80, the foreign aid team won with a last-second shot...

They not only won but celebrated by singing and dancing. Among these nine players, eight were Americans, and they even shouted "USA"...

Under the background of 1998, some matters transcended the win-loss aspect of basketball (not elaborated further).

Shenyang fans, already frustrated by the loss, could not tolerate these foreign aids showing off in their home arena?

Shouldn't they be confronted?

Mineral water bottles fell like rain from the sky... Coach Zhang Weiping pulled and dragged them toward the player tunnel.

You can check; in 1998, the CBA All-Star Game did not have an MVP.

Since then, the CBA All-Star Game has never featured the foreign aid vs. local player storyline.

After all, the impact was too negative...

Now, in 2026, is it possible for the CBA All-Star Game to revisit this classic format?

It's quite difficult in the short term.

On one hand, the disparity in strength is even greater.

Current CBA foreign aids are overall more skilled, and our own players' abilities are not at the level of Hu Weidong, Yao Ming, Wang Zhizhi...

At this stage, should leadership also consider the public opinion if they lose? How would舆论 handle it if they lose again?

From another perspective, why would foreign aids risk injury to play an entertainment match?

Therefore, the 1998 CBA All-Star Game model is likely to remain a unique edition...