공격력 재정비가 성공의 열쇠 송영진 감독 “슈팅감 회복과 백업 전력 강화가 핵심”
Suwon KT Sonic boom, which ended the frist half of the season in 5th place due to injuries to key players, is focusing on revamping its offensive strategy for a stronger second half. Provided by KT Sonic Boom
Suwon KT Sonic Boom, once a strong contender for the ‘2024-2025 KCC Professional Basketball’ title, has faced setbacks, finishing the first half in 5th place.
Despite a promising start with two consecutive wins in the new year, KT struggled with a four-game losing streak, wrapping up the first half with 15 wins and 14 losses. They now trail Changwon LG and Daegu Korea Gas Corporation, tied for third place, by 1.5 games.
To stage a comeback in the second half, KT must address several challenges, particularly their offensive performance. Currently ranked 8th in scoring (73.9 points per game) and last in assists (17.0), the team’s attack has been lackluster. Only two players, Layton Hammonds (averaging 18.5 points) and Park Jun-young (averaging 10.4 points),rank among the league’s top 30 scorers.
While Heo hoon leads the league in assists with an average of 7.5, the team’s overall offensive coordination remains a concern. Coach Song Young-jin has emphasized the need to restore shooting accuracy and bolster the bench strength to improve performance in the second half.
KT’s strategy for the remainder of the season will focus on enhancing offensive efficiency, improving player rotations, and ensuring better teamwork to close the gap with the league’s top teams. The upcoming games will be critical in determining whether KT can turn their season around and secure a playoff spot.
Jun-young’s performance has been lackluster, with a disappointing 2.1 rating, placing them in 30th position. This decline is largely attributed to the team’s inability to field their strongest lineup due to a series of injuries to key players during the first half of the season.
In November, the team faced notable setbacks as Moon Jeong-hyun and Ha Yoon-gi were sidelined for over a month due to injuries.just as they returned,the team’s star player,Heo Hoon,was forced to take a month-long break due to a worsening wrist injury and a heel issue,further destabilizing the team’s performance. The situation worsened when Hammonds suffered a heel injury during the match against Hong Kong Eastern on the 7th, missing two games and contributing to a three-game losing streak.
KT’s head coach, Song Young-jin, addressed the challenges, stating, ”The first half was plagued by injuries, which directly impacted our performance and led to a string of losses.” He emphasized the need to manage player minutes more effectively,adding,”To make this work,our bench players must step up and improve their contributions.”
Despite Heo Hoon’s ongoing physical struggles, there is a silver lining in the form of point guard JD Kagulangan, who was acquired through the Asia Quarter. Kagulangan has been integrating seamlessly into the KBL,showcasing his potential with an remarkable 15 points and 6 assists in the final game of the first half.
coach Song also highlighted the need to regain the team’s lost shooting rhythm. To address this, the coaching staff has outlined a strategy focused on enhancing game-day concentration and ramping up practice intensity.
KT’s upcoming match against 8th-ranked Seoul Samsung, scheduled for 7 PM on the 22nd, will serve as a crucial test for the team’s revamped approach. Fans are eagerly watching to see if KT can leverage their full roster and reignite their season with a dynamic, high-scoring style of play in the second half.
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