It was a day that reminded me of the nightmare of the game against Russia four years ago.
Anyang KGC Ginseng Corporation leaves for Goyang with a 75-89 loss in the 2022-23 SKT Adot Pro Basketball Quarterfinal Playoff 2nd game against Goyang Carrot held at Anyang Indoor Gymnasium on the 15th, with 1 win and 1 loss.
The match ended with Carrot’s fighting spirit. However, there are many question marks in the defeat of KGC Ginseng Corporation. Why did they, who have nothing to beat in terms of stamina and power, suffered a complete defeat that completely gave up the atmosphere in the living room?
Coach Kim Sang-sik showed off a great rotation and perfect team management in the regular league this season, winning the 3rd wire-to-wire 1st place in KBL history. He was having a flawless season, even winning the title of East Asian champion. It was solid from his first season when he was appointed as a full-time manager rather than an acting manager.
However, ahead of the playoffs, there were concerns about manager Kim. He experienced several international competitions as a national team coach, but had no experience in the professional playoffs. In other words, it was the first time he had experienced a system in which he faced one team several times. The experience of the players is already at the highest level in KBL. However, the short-term match was a stage where the manager’s ability was best displayed, and it was a proper test of whether Kim’s success could continue.
The last game 1 didn’t even have a part to evaluate. Carrot already raised the white flag before director Kim could use any method. It was impossible for them, who had a bloody battle against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis, to face the huge KGC Ginseng Corporation from the first game. It was KGC Ginseng Corporation, who won with the largest score difference (56 points), and coach Kim.
The problem was the second round. All sorts of bad things poured out. Moon Seong-gon committed 3 fouls from the 1st quarter and got into foul trouble early on. Byun Jun-hyung was passive. I couldn’t show even half of the performance I had in the regular league (of course, there were times when I was replaced with Park Ji-hoon when I was doing well). Omari Spellman and Oh Se-geun were in the best condition and were able to barely engage in a slugfest with Carrot.
There was definitely a situation where KGC Ginseng Corporation could bring the atmosphere of the game. But at that time, coach Kim called Oh Se-geun to the bench. He didn’t have a player on the court who could have the most crushing advantage over Carrot. Even Yang Hee-jong could not play due to a calf injury, so Han Seung-hee was the only card to replace him. That’s how kgc ginseng construction gave the 2nd round.
Coach Kim said after the game, “Oh Se-geun seemed to have lost his stamina, so I replaced him.” Regarding this, director Kim Seung-gi said, “Thank you. He seemed to be preparing for the next match.”
The importance of position 4 in the playoffs has already been proven by KBL history. In fact, it was possible because KGC Ginseng Corporation formed the KBL Yanggang Gudo with Hyundai Mobis since the 2010s because Oh Se-geun was there. Oh Se-geun in the regular league is different from Oh Se-geun in the playoffs. However, coach Kim put his strongest weapon in his pocket.
It was a moment that reminded me of what happened four years ago. Coach Kim was the head of the national team that participated in the 2019 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) China Basketball World Cup at the time. After losing the game against Argentina, we met Russia. Russia was the most realistic one-win opponent for the national team, as more than half of its best players left due to injury.
The national team fought well. Kim Sun-hyung and Lee Dae-seong boasted the best teamwork. Yang Hee-jong’s hustle play also shone. And Lee Seung-hyun and La Gun-ah performed well against Russian big men. The fight continued throughout the match. It was a picture of Russia leading and the national team chasing. And in the second half, the timing to throw the game came. At that time, coach Kim replaced Laguna. After the game, he said, “When Laguna gets excited, the play itself has a big impact. If that happens, our flow will collapse, so we replaced it. He could have scored more if he had stayed, but I didn’t think he would be of much help overall.”
Realistically, the goal of the national team was to win the finals. Considering the reality of the weakest team having to put all their effort into just one match, they should have put all their efforts into the match against Russia, which went well. However, at the most important moment, Laguna sat on the bench, and from then on, the national team began to be pushed back. I lost like that and the chance to win the finals was blown away. 토스카지노
The Russian coach, who had ignored the national team even before the match, talked about the difficulty enough to express that he was “nervous” after barely winning. At the same time, he praised the performance of La Gun-ah and Lee Dae-sung. Overseas reporters who watched the game with Korean reporters at the time evaluated Laguna as “a player who deserves at least $1 million.”
From a long-term perspective, coach Kim’s season management is clearly impressive. However, the selection and concentration he showed in this second game was somewhat disappointing. In the playoffs, KGC Ginseng Corporation, where Oh Se-geun does not stand on the court, is not so scary. EASL? Back then, Darryl Monroe could play with Spellman.
It is true that they lost to Carrot in the second game, but it is certain that KGC Ginseng Corporation is still the top dog. Even if it leads to a full series, there will be no one who doubts that kgc ginseng construction will advance to the championship finals ahead of physical strength and power. But coach Kim has to prove it. In the end, in order to become the KBL champion, you have to defeat an opponent stronger than the exhausted Carrot. Even if you have a good weapon, you cannot win if you cannot use it properly. If you are the best leader this season, you have to show it now.