Spreading the scoring is KCC’s challenge
Busan KCC lost 72-74 against Anyang Jeonggwanjang in the first round of the 2023-2024 Jeonggwanjang Professional Basketball League at Anyang Indoor Gymnasium on March 7. The team dropped from second place to fifth place. Their season record is 2 wins and 2 losses.
KCC is playing an odd schedule due to a change of venue. While other teams have played up to seven games, KCC has only played four, including today’s game.
For an injury-plagued team, the low number of games early on could be a positive for KCC. It gives the team time to recover from injuries to Choi Jun-yong (200 cm, F) and Song Kyo-chang (199 cm, F), who are preparing to return to the team.
However, KCC head coach Jeon Chang-jin had a different opinion. “The vaulting schedule is not easy. It’s hard for the players to stick to their routine. We need to build up our wins when we don’t have key players. We also need to increase our available resources.”
Nevertheless, KCC showed the power of the break early on. They scored 16 points on fast breaks in the first half alone. Heo Woong (185 cm, G) and Lee Geun-hwi (188 cm, F) combined to hit two 3-pointers each. Coach Jeon’s worries seemed to be unfounded.
However, KCC’s game sense problems became apparent in the second half. When Lee Seung-hyun (197 cm, F), who was struggling physically, rested, the court balance was suddenly off. The organic offensive flow was missing, and the offense relied on individual skills.
The fourth quarter was not much different. DuVan Maxwell (198 cm, F) and the sparky Alize DeShawn Johnson (201 cm, F) began to force the offense. They even crossed half court themselves in set offense. Lee Ho-hyun (182 cm, G) even showed his frustration at one point.
Johnson, of course, has exceptional skills. He scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, including seven free throws. If not for a dramatic three-pointer by Park Ji-hoon (184 cm, G), Johnson’s performance might have sealed the win.
But no one on the court controlled Johnson. Instead, most of the offensive possessions went to Johnson. KCC’s domestic players scored just five points in the fourth quarter. Jung only had to stop Johnson. 보스토토 주소
After the game, head coach Jeon Chang-jin said, “We played like the DB game that (Alize DeShawn) Johnson lost. He forced something he shouldn’t have. They have to realize that they are the problem. Domestic players also relied on Johnson. We couldn’t score.”
Even with an injury ward, KCC is a super team. Lee Ho-hyun, Heo Woong, Jung Chang-young (193 cm, F) and Lee Seung-hyun played alongside Johnson in the penalty shootout. They don’t have to rely on Johnson. When you diversify your attacking routes, Johnson becomes more dangerous.