Lee Kwan-hee (191cm, G)’s domination in the 3rd quarter made LG’s achievement.
Changwon LG defeated Jeonju KCC 93-74 in the 2022-2023 SKT A-Dot Pro Basketball regular league held at Changwon Indoor Gymnasium on the 22nd. On December 18, 2022, a home win streak was achieved 35 days after the match against Carrot in Goyang. And after Anyang KGC Ginseng Corporation (22 wins, 10 losses), they stepped on the 20-win high for the second time. He solidified his solo 2nd place (20 wins, 12 losses).
Director Cho Sang-hyun, newly appointed to LG, constantly watched the 2021-2022 season video. It made the players aware of what went well and what went wrong.
He did not simply do a comparative analysis. He also pointed out the direction in which to go. The direction coach Jo Sang-hyun pursued was ‘sticky defense’ and ‘organic and organized offensive movement’. The sum of 5 people on the court was considered important. The energy levels of the 5 people must be evenly distributed.
However, there must be a focal point. It means that we need a player who can hold the center. Lee Kwan-hee, who was newly appointed as the captain, should do that. In the past, if you focused on your individual abilities, you have to play team basketball this season. You must be reborn as a leader who can create synergy with the entire team. I prepared like that throughout this off-season.
Lee Kwan-hee’s 2022-2023 season was not good. Since opening, he has only played 17 minutes and 40 seconds in six games on average. The record for the period was also 4.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists. Compared to the 2021-2022 season (average of 30 minutes and 46 seconds played, 14.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists), he was disastrous. He also had many unseen mistakes (defense-loose ball fights, etc.). LG Bench’s worries were great.
Nevertheless, LG coach Cho Sang-hyun waited for Lee Kwan-hee. Lee Kwan-hee lived up to LG’s expectations little by little. He tried to move to suit the changed team. His current record is 10.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 24 minutes and 22 seconds per game. His contribution has changed dramatically.
Also, LG’s opponent, KCC, has an ace named Heo Ung (185cm, G). Yoon Won-sang (180cm, G) would mostly stop Heo-woong, but Yoon Won-sang alone was difficult. We need Lee Kwan-hee’s strength. In fact, Lee Kwan-hee can put pressure on Heo Woong with his physicality and tenacious defense.
Lee Kwan-hee was not included in the starting lineup. He stepped onto the court only 52 seconds before the end of the first quarter. He could do little in the first quarter. I was content to unwind his body.
He hit the court in earnest in the second quarter. Lee Gwan-hee’s first mission was to block Heoung. He followed Heoung like a leech. He coped well with any screen of KCC’s big man. Suppressed the 2v2 attack derived from Heoung.
Lee Kwan-hee’s tenacious defense produced a meaningful result 3 minutes and 56 seconds before the end of the second quarter. It led to Heo Woong’s unsportsmanlike foul and Heo Woong’s third personal foul at the same time. Due to Lee Kwan-hee’s defense, the decibels in the Changwon Indoor Gymnasium went higher.
Even without Heo Woong, Lee Kwan-hee defended strongly. After he defended, he ran to the KCC camp faster than anyone else. Only two successful no-mark layups in the KCC camp. KCC collapsed. In the last attack, he helped Kim Jun-il (200cm, C)’s buzzer beater with fast ball delivery. 6 points, 3 assists and 2 steals in the 2nd quarter alone. It led LG’s 15-point advantage (45-30). 안전놀이터
Lee Kwan-hee, who was faithful to the basics and selfless play, scored 3 points in 56 seconds of the 3rd quarter. Lee Kwan-hee, who tasted the 3-pointer, succeeded in 3-point succession with the dribble jumper. He looked at his watch when he hit the third three. He made his fans aware that it was his time.
Lee Kwan-hee also sent a courier pass to Kim Jun-il, who was running into the paint zone. It even boosted the morale of his colleagues. Thanks to that, LG also dominated the third quarter 27-13. The fourth quarter started with a score of 72-43.
Key players, including Lee Kwan-hee, withdrew to the bench. The rest of the players had to hold on well for the last 10 minutes. However, it was chased to 82-71 3 minutes and 17 seconds before the end of the game. Concentration is too low. LG coach Jo Sang-hyun also pointed out the complacent attitude of the players during time-outs.
The LG bench reintroduced Lee Kwan-hee. Lee Kwan-hee was responsible for the last along with the main resources such as Lee Jae-do (180cm, G) and Jung Hee-jae (196cm, F). With Lee Kwan-hee at the end, LG was able to regain concentration.