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 rich history in Chinese basketball, with several successful seasons and playoff appearances. They have a talented roster of players, both domestic and international, who bring a mix of experience and youth to the team.
The team's colors are blue and yellow, and their mascot is a fierce warrior symbolizing the team's fighting spirit on the court. The Shandong Heroes have a dedicated fan base that fills the arena for home games, creating an electric atmosphere that fuels the team's performance.
Overall, the Shandong Heroes are a respected and competitive team in the CBA, known for their exciting style of play and passionate fan support.