Jeremy Lin’s former Chinese Basketball Association team, the Beijing Ducks, are struggling in his absence, with domestic media reporting coach Simone Pianigiani has lost the dressing room and instances of infighting in the team. The latest news reported that none of the team’s Chinese players would accompany their Italian coach to the post-game press conference after Saturday’s 110-95 loss to Shaanxi Loongs. Pianigiani was hired in September ahead of the 2020-21 season, which started in October, with his arrival much vaunted by Ducks chairman Qin Xiaowen. “I believe he can build a better and stronger Beijing Ducks with rich experience and an excellent modern basketball concept,” Qin said on the Italian’s arrival. The Ducks sit 13th in the 19-team standings after 15 games, with a 6-9 record. Last season they finished with a 32-14 record in the regular season, including an 11-game winning streak as they qualified for the play-offs for the first time since 2016. ‘Big decisions coming,’ says Lin as he admits China is an option This season, like last season, is taking place in a bubble with teams located in Zhuji, Zhejiang province, but that is the only similarity for the Ducks. With Lin in the team the Ducks went to the CBA play-off semi-finals, losing 2-1 to eventual winners Guangdong Southern Tigers. Lin chose to leave Beijing in the off-season in an effort to return to the NBA as a free agent but he has not been signed by any team, with the NBA season set to start on December 23. The Ducks have made it clear they are interested in re-signing their former star player and have been in contact with him during his NBA free agency. Lin admitted that a return to China was an option when responding to a fan on Instagram this month. “Big decisions coming up soon but that’s an option on the table for sure,” Lin told a fan who asked him not to go back to the CBA. Beijing Ducks urging Jeremy Lin to give up on NBA, return to China The Ducks face the CBA champions on Monday night.