The 2022-2023 SKT A-Dot professional basketball turned two laps. Anyang KGC Ginseng Corporation, which has maintained first place since the beginning of the season, is still leading alone, but the ranking in the middle and lower ranks is completely different from the first round. Variables following the departure and return of major players from injuries are shaking the league game.
The biggest twist at the beginning of the season was the Seoul Samsung’s good performance. Samsung, who only won 9 times in 54 regular league games last season, finished 4th with 5 wins and 4 losses in the first round of this season. The collaboration between veteran guard Lee Jung-hyun, who was recruited as a free agent (FA), and Kim Si-rae, the existing ace scoring resource, shined, and rookie center Lee Won-seok’s play under the goal also gained more confidence than last season. It seemed that the ‘fighting spirit’ emphasized by coach Eun Hee-seok to the players was smoothly establishing itself as Samsung’s color. 메이저사이트
Samsung’s momentum took a sharp turn in the second round. With only 3 wins in 9 matches, the ranking has fallen to the bottom. Injuries to key players have taken a toll on performance. As soon as Kim Shi-rae, who missed the early second round due to an ankle injury, returned, Lee Won-seok suffered a ligament rupture in his ankle and was unable to play. Guard Lee Dong-yeop is also out of action due to a dislocated shoulder at the end of last month. Marcus Derrickson, who was in charge of one axis of the Samsung offense, injured his knee earlier this month and will have to rest for at least one month. Samsung recruited Jonathan Alledge as a temporary substitute for Derrickson on the 14th, but he needs a period of adaptation as he has no KBL experience.
Wonju DB, who finished the first round in second place (6 wins and 3 losses), also suffered 6 consecutive losses in the second round and dropped in the rankings. Both Kang Sang-jae and Dewan Hernandez, who led DB’s multi-score victory at the beginning of the season, are out of power due to injuries. Doo Kyung-min, who recently recovered from a calf injury, is under heavy pressure. Doo Kyung-min contributed to DB’s escape from losing streak by posting 23 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds in the match against Goyang Carrot on the 13th, but he cannot play much time because his condition has not returned 100%. DB recruited Demetrius Treadwell, who has experience in various leagues in Israel, France, and Lithuania, as a temporary substitute for Hernandez.
On the other hand, Seoul SK, which stayed in 9th place in the first round, is rapidly recovering after Choi Jun-yong’s return. Choi Jun-yong, who had been absent from the beginning of the season due to an ankle sprain, recorded 19 points, 4 assists and 6 rebounds in the match against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis, which was his comeback match on the 24th of last month. With the addition of Choi Jun-yong, SK’s attack route was diversified, and SK recorded 6 wins in 9 games in the 2nd round. At the season opening media day, “Win a lot while I’m gone.