Lee Kwan-hee (35, LG)’s confidence did not lead to victory.
Seoul SK caught Changwon LG 73-68 in the ‘2022-2023 SKT Adot Pro Basketball Playoff Semifinals 1st Leg’ held at Changwon Gymnasium on the 14th. 78% of the teams that took the first leg of the semifinal playoffs went to the final. SK occupied an advantageous high ground.
This season, when Lee Kwan-hee met only with SK, he flew wildly. Although Lee Kwan-hee’s average score is 11.3 points, he only scored 17 points when facing SK. When asked about the secret, Lee Kwan-hee provoked, saying, “SK defense is a mannequin to me.”
SK coach Jeon Hee-cheol said, “I saw Lee Kwan-hee’s mannequin interview. I like it better if the players provoke each other. Choi Seong-won, Choi Won-hyuk, and Oh Jae-hyun today, our mannequins 1-3 should do well,” he laughed. It meant that if the three players, who were experts in defense, blocked Lee Kwan-hee well and even exploded the attack, they would surely win.
As both teams mainly used the 3rd guard, Lee Kwan-hee often played with Choi Seong-won. On this day, Lee Kwan-hee was sluggish with 6 points. A layup shot came out of the fastball, but all three 3-pointers were missed. Lee Kwan-hee got a basket count in the middle of the 4th quarter and broke it late, but missed an extra free throw. Lee Kwan-hee’s field goal rate was low at 27%.
SK players reciprocated the provocation by celebrating every time they scored against Lee Kwan-hee. Choi Seong-won surpassed Lee Kwan-hee in offense and defense with 8 points, 5 assists and 2 steals. In particular, Seong-Won Choi made a 3-point shot that led the team to 63-53 at the beginning of the 4th quarter, and then held a ceremony by pointing at his wrist. While Kim Seon-hyeong was sluggish with 6 turnovers, Choi Seong-won took the center of SK. 메이저놀이터
In the end, Lee Kwan-hee’s overflowing confidence became a ‘bluff’ that did not lead to victory. With the loss in the first game, LG must win the second game in Changwon on the 16th. Lee Kwan-hee’s performance is more important than ever. /