A changing of the guard

With Han's retirement, Liaoning faces the challenge of a generational transition, alongside the rise of teams like Zhejiang. The era of Liaoning-Guangdong supremacy is largely over, and the battle for dominance in Chinese men's basketball is entering a new chapter.

"Things have changed," said Guangdong head coach Du Feng after defeating Liaoning in the semifinals.

"The last National Games are still fresh in the memory. Liaoning relied on first-team national players like Zhou Qi, Han, Li Xiaoxu and Guo Ailun to win the championship. We had 'the black-white-short trio' of Zhao Rui, Hu Mingxuan and Xu Jie. All three of them are still playing, now four years older, and have become core members of the national team, receiving the baton from their predecessors," Du said.

"I think this is the essence of basketball inheritance, and also the mission of those devoted to the sport. I hope everyone involved in basketball can dedicate their efforts to the career they love."

Liaoning head coach Yang Ming, who transitioned from player to coach and has witnessed the rivalry on both sides of the paint, reflected on the significance of the matchup.

"The 'Liaoning-Guangdong' debate has been a heated one over the past decade. During this period, both teams produced many brilliant games. They won and lost against each other, needled each other, but cherished and enjoyed their time together," he said.

"Whether we'll see another rivalry at the same level in the future is hard to say, but I hope everyone remembers this wonderful period."