Perhaps fueled by his previous three-peat championship success, Du Feng has grown increasingly outspoken. After Zhang Haojia’s buzzer-beater helped Guangdong edge Beijing in Game 2 of their playoff series, Du Feng’s post-game comments stirred widespread debate.
When asked by a reporter to comment on the game, Du Feng avoided analyzing the contest itself and instead remarked: “Beijing recruited heavily, bringing in many excellent players, like Zhao Rui, whom I previously developed, and Zhou Qi, who played for Guangdong in the past.” The statement was widely interpreted as a veiled jab at Beijing head coach Xu Limin, implying that even with players formerly coached by Du, Beijing still struggled to win.
Notably, Guangdong’s victory came by a narrow margin, and both Zhao Rui and Zhou Qi had mediocre performances: Zhou Qi scored 13 points on 4-of-10 shooting, while Zhao Rui managed only 5 points on three shots. Critics questioned why Du Feng chose to highlight former players rather than praise Zhang Haojia, who delivered the clutch shot despite facing criticism this season, or commend the resurgent play of Hu Mingxuan and Du Runwang.
This is not the first time Du Feng has made such pointed remarks. During the 2024 Liaoning-Guangdong semifinals, after winning on the road, Du Feng sarcastically “praised” Liaoning head coach Yang Ming: “I envy Coach Yang for having so many outstanding domestic players—the best forward, the best guard, the best center. Our team is too young; I’ve been turning gray over the years.” In response, Yang Ming fired back: “I envy Du Feng for having Zhou Qi, a game-changing center, and Guangdong’s ability to attract talent.”
However, in this series, Du Feng might also reflect on his own roster management. Former Guangdong center Xu Xin, who was underutilized for four years, has thrived after moving to Guangzhou and even attracted NBA interest. Meanwhile, Guangdong’s offseason acquisitions, including Cui Yongxi and Jiao Boqiao, have failed to shine under Du Feng’s system. Jiao Boqiao has been reduced to a role player, and Cui Yongxi has shifted from a scoring threat to a defensive specialist, often backing up Zhang Haojia.
Du Feng has also been unsparing with fans. When questioned about his rotations—favoring Zhang Haojia and Du Runwang over younger talents like Chen Jiazheng, Wang Hongze, and Cui Yongxi—he responded after a narrow win with the now-famous line: “Different professions are like different mountains.” As the series heads into a decisive Game 3, fans may be as curious about Du Feng’s next post-game remarks as the outcome of the game itself.