Basketball pundit on player management

Ma Jian, a former China basketball international and now a pundit, recently said on a program:

"I think the national team should adopt a more relaxed approach to managing players, while maintaining basic standards of professionalism. I believe players are becoming increasingly professional. They know basketball is how they make a living. Many players do extra fitness training on their own, pay closer attention to nutrition, and even travel to the United States during the offseason for rehabilitation and training.

"But mentally, basketball is a game that requires creativity. You have to give players enough freedom and space, rather than restricting them based on your own understanding of the game. Players need room to relax mentally. Very often, poor performances come from an inability to release psychological pressure."

Ma Jian also addressed the issue of drinking, "I think the national team should introduce another rule: a ban on alcohol. Heavy drinking should be strictly prohibited, and alcohol consumption should be kept to a minimum because it is bad for your health. I'm referring to drinking among coaches and management staff."