Shandong Heroes
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Wikipedia - Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin
Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin (Chinese: 山东高速麒麟俱乐部) is a Chinese professional basketball team based in Jinan, Shandong, which plays in the Northern Division of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Some home games are held in the nearby city of Linyi.
The Hi-Speed Group is the club's corporate sponsor. The long-time previous corporate sponsor was Kingston.
History
In its early years, the team was known as the Shandong Flaming Bulls (山东火牛), but was renamed the Shandong Lions at the start of the 2003–04 CBA season. At the same time, the club moved its homecourt from Jinan to Yantai (six games) and Dongying (five games). For the 2004–05 CBA season, they relocated to Tai'an, but have been back in Jinan since the 2005–06 CBA season.
During the 2004–05 CBA season, the freshly-rebranded Shandong Gold Lions finished in sixth place in the CBA North Division, and out of the playoffs. In the 2005–06 season, the team finished fifth, yet again out of the playoffs.
The club's most successful campaign so far has been the 2012–13 CBA season, when it advanced to the CBA Finals, but got swept in the best-of-seven championship series in just four games by the Guangdong Southern Tigers.
The Shandong Heroes have a strong roster of talented players, including former NBA player Ty Lawson, who joined the team in 2019. Other notable players on the team include Hanlin Dong, Jia Cheng, and Ruheng Wang. The team is known for its fast-paced, high-scoring style of play, and has a reputation for being one of the most exciting teams to watch in the CBA.
Over the years, the Shandong Heroes have won several championships, including the CBA championship in 2004 and the National Basketball League (NBL) championship in 1999. The team has also produced several talented players who have gone on to play in the NBA, including Wang Zhizhi and Mengke Bateer.
Off the court, the Shandong Heroes are known for their strong community involvement and commitment to giving back. The team regularly participates in charity events and community outreach programs, and is widely respected for its dedication to making a positive impact in the local community.