A Heartwarming Moment in the CBA: Coach Qiu Biao Encourages Gao Shiyan Instead of Criticizing

Last night, Shandong narrowly lost to Guangdong by 6 points, marking their second consecutive defeat, while Guangdong maintained their six-game winning streak. Despite the disappointing result, a touching moment caught fans’ attention—Shandong coach Qiu Biao offered words of encouragement to Gao Shiyan, who missed all six of his shots, without any criticism.

On the court, Gao Shiyan played with great effort, defending hard against Xu Jie, who still managed to hit five three-pointers and record 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists. Offensively, Gao actively attempted shots, especially from beyond the arc, but missed all six three-point attempts, finishing with zero points. Even after his final missed shot in the fourth quarter, Qiu Biao calmly approached him, offering quiet encouragement and support instead of blame.

Although online criticism towards Gao Shiyan was relentless, we cannot overlook his effort and defensive commitment. Being a starting guard for China’s national team is not entirely within his control. Hardworking athletes deserve respect, and moments of struggle call for encouragement. Qiu Biao’s gesture reminds us that true coaching combines warmth, trust, and support—far more powerful than criticism.