The Beijing Ducks basketball team, with 14 wins and 17 losses, is currently ranked 11th in the league standings. With 21 games left in the regular season, their chances of making it to the playoffs are in jeopardy. This situation has led to comparisons with Shakespeare's famous quote from "Hamlet", where the characters ponder the dilemma of survival or destruction. While it may seem dramatic, the team's recent performance and the potential to drop out of playoff contention make it a legitimate concern.

On January 17th, after losing to the Fujian Sturgeons, the Beijing Ducks found themselves in a familiar pattern of losses. The team, already dealing with injuries to key players, suffered further setbacks in the game. Head coach, Stefano Mancinelli, acknowledged that the team had a fitness issue in the final quarter, perhaps due to the demoralizing effect of consecutive losses. This is an issue that needs to be addressed if they want to turn the tide.

Another major issue that has plagued the team this season was highlighted in this game – the lack of contribution from the three foreign imports. With Fang Shuo resting and Jiang Wen injured, the team was left with only two local guards, Tian Yuxiang and Zhang Cairen. Mancinelli decided not to use the American import, Li Fei, and instead rotated between Keenan Evans and Adams to fill the void. Unfortunately, their performances were lackluster, scoring a combined 11 points for the entire game.

Mancinelli admitted that in moments like these, the foreign imports need to step up. However, when asked about Adams' future with the team, he evaded the question and pointed out his positive +/- value. It is clear that Mancinelli is overlooking the most basic requirement for small foreign imports in the CBA – the ability to score. It seems that Adams, who joined the team midway through the season, has yet to fully integrate and adapt to the league. The coaching staff hopes he can gain more confidence on both ends of the court, but the fans' patience is wearing thin.

During the post-game press conference, Mancinelli also avoided two other pressing topics – the fact that no current Beijing Ducks player has experienced a five-game losing streak and the team's low utilization of players born after 1999. He dismissed these questions, stating that he is not responsible for the past or the future of the team, as he is currently in a "firefighter" role.

However, he cannot avoid the question of whether to give more opportunities to young players in the next game against Guangdong, considering the number of key players currently injured. Before joining the Beijing Ducks coaching staff, Mancinelli was the director of youth training at the Beijing Beikong Fly Dragons. He mentioned that players like Jin Yipeng, who made the first team this season, have shown potential. Although they may not meet the requirements of the CBA yet, he is willing to give them a chance to prove themselves.The clamor for young players to be given a chance has never ceased among the fans. Even in the midst of a multitude of injuries, the idea of prioritizing development over immediate results has taken on a somewhat tragic tone. With players like Zhai Xiaochuan and Zeng Fanbo set to miss significant playing time, it remains uncertain whether Fang Shuo and Jiang Wen will travel with the team to Guangdong. The team faces eight more games before the next window period, and they must decide whether to persist with the remaining experienced players or embrace change and allow the young talents to face the challenges, in hopes of a turnaround.Both choices are risky, and the costs and consequences are unpredictable. However, as the saying goes, "no pain, no gain." The decision ultimately hinges on the survival of the team, and it requires boldness and a long-term perspective from the decision-makers to provide hope for a team trapped in the darkness.