The role of Jeong Hee-jae (196cm, F) has become more important.
Changwon LG newly appointed manager Jo Sang-hyun after the end of the 2021-2022 season. Goyang Orions (now Day One Sports) coach and coach Cho Sang-hyun, who served as the head coach of the Korean men’s national basketball team, wanted the team to take off.
LG coach Jo Sang-hyun emphasized defense first. I got all the options that could be the basis. “I thought there was no chance of winning in 5v5 basketball. So he thought of quick basketball followed by defense,” he said, explaining why he emphasized ‘defense’.
The strategy of LG coach Cho Sang-hyun worked. LG recorded 76.6 runs per game in the 2022-2023 season. Lowest score among 10 clubs. LG, which solidified its defense, achieved 2nd place in the regular league with 36 wins and 18 losses. It was the first time in 9 years since the 2013-2014 season that the playoffs were confirmed. performance beyond expectations.
It wasn’t just the defense that was good. To the extent that the word “second unit” appeared, LG’s available staff was wide. With several players showing high energy levels on the court, LG was able to produce good results.
It is true that the power of the second unit is great, but the pillars of the team definitely existed. It is Assem Marey (202cm, C). Combining strength, sense, and an altruistic mind, Marey gave his teammates a sense of security through his defense and rebounding. If Marey hadn’t been able to control his opponents inside and outside, LG’s achievements wouldn’t have come out.
However, Marey’s partner was important. To be precise, we needed a player to disperse the concentrated check against Marey. Jung Hee-jae played the role. It was not an outstanding record with 4.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists for an average of 17 minutes and 48 seconds in 53 regular league games, but it opened Marey’s breath with 0.9 3-pointers per game and a 39.7% 3-point shot success rate.
Jung Hee-jae’s role did not stop at 3 points. He had a fight under the net near the paint zone with Marais, and showed a wide range of defense from the paint zone to 3 points. With his skill based on his experience, he cut the path of his opponent’s attack well.
Since Jung Hee-jae and Marey became the core of the first unit, the second unit Kim Jun-il (200cm, C) and Dante Cunningham (203cm, F) were able to show different colors. Conversely, because of Kim Jun-il and Cunningham, Jeong Hee-jae and Marey were able to focus on their time. In other words, four different combinations complemented each other.
However, Kim Joon-il left LG after the 2022-2023 season ended. This is because Kim Joon-il, who became a free agent (FA), wore the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis uniform. Seo Min-soo (196cm, F), who competed with Jeong Hee-jae for the forward position, also moved to Wonju DB. Also, Cunningham could not confirm the renewal of the contract. Because of this, LG cannot be sure of the power of the second unit.
Of course, LG is not without good news. This is because Yang Hong-seok (195cm, F), who is good at scoring and rebounding, joined, and Park Jung-hyun (202cm, C) will be discharged from the military during the 2023-2024 season. The two tall resources can become a new force for LG.
However, both Yang Hong-seok and Park Jeong-hyeon have elements of anxiety. Yang Hong-seok has to come to terms with his new colleagues and blend into the new director’s style. Park Jeong-hyeon also collaborates with LG coach Cho Sang-hyeon for the first time. The sense of the regular league has also fallen. LG cannot expect everything from Yang Hong-seok and Park Jung-hyun.스포츠토토
Jung Hee-jae should minimize the team’s anxiety factor mentioned above. It is because he is a forward that can fulfill LG’s changed color well. So Heejae Jeong’s 2023-2024 season could be more important. This is because he is a player who has to keep his team up and running, as well as his own.