Kang Sang-jae’s rebound fight, the key driving force behind DB’s come-from-behind victory
Kang Sang-jae (200cm, F)’s rebound was one of the driving forces behind the come-from-behind victory.
Wonju DB defeated Changwon LG 65-59 in the regular 2022-2023 SKT A-Dot professional basketball league held at the Changwon Indoor Gymnasium on the 19th. He escaped from the crisis of 5 consecutive losses against LG. With 20 wins and 30 losses, they tied for 7th place with Suwon KT. The record against KT is 2 wins and 3 losses.
DB is traditionally a team that takes ‘height’ as its strength. Especially in the 2011-2012 season. Kim Joo-seong (current Wonju DB acting manager), Yun Ho-young (196cm, F), and Rod Benson (206cm, C) showed the splendor of ‘height’ and ‘defense’. It marked the beginning of Wonjusanseong Fortress.
However, Kim Joo-seong retired from active duty after the 2017-2018 season, and DB needed new tall resources. The reason for recruiting Kim Jong-gyu (206cm, C), who was released as a free agent (FA) after the 2019-2020 season. Yun Ho-young, Kim Jong-gyu, and Chinanu Onuaku (206cm, C) have built another fortress.
The trade was carried out after the end of the 2020-2021 season. I brought Park Chan-hee (190cm, G) and Kang Sang-jae from Korea Gas Corporation. The key was Kang Sang-jae. Kang Sang-jae is a stretch big man with a high shooting distance. He was a resource that could create synergy with Kim Jong-gyu.
However, Kang Sang-jae and Kim Jong-gyu failed to create a synergistic effect. The lines of movement overlapped, and the amount of activity was insufficient. So, the height of the two players was rather a weakness. The reason DB struggled at the beginning of the season.
In addition, key resources such as Doo Kyung-min (183cm, G), Kang Sang-jae, and Kim Jong-gyu left due to serial injuries. DB has rarely worked at 100% power. Same with LG. However, Kang Sang-jae has to show the power of height with Kim Jong-gyu.
Kang Sang-jae was included in the starting lineup. He focused on elements that require a lot of activity, such as defending under the goal, rebounding, and participating in fast attacks. As a result, he grabbed three offensive rebounds, the most in the first quarter among players on both teams. It also contributed to DB’s 7-point advantage (23-16).
Kang Sang-jae stepped on the court with Kim Jong-gyu 3 minutes and 36 seconds before the end of the second quarter. DB’s triple post was activated. However, DB’s triple post did not show its natural strength (height). DB, who once led 30-18 in the 2nd quarter, finished the first half with 33-34.
Kang Sang-jae was matched up with Jeong In-deok (196cm, F) in the third quarter. Kang Sang-jae’s height, physicality, and scoring ability are superior to Jeong In-deok’s. However, because of Jeong In-deok’s fighting spirit defense, Kang Sang-jae was unable to do anything in the third quarter. In 8 minutes and 17 seconds, only one field goal attempt was made. 토토사이트
However, Ethan Albano (185cm, G) scored 7 points in the 3rd quarter. DB started the 4th quarter with 48-50. All DB players, including Kang Sang-jae, have created the conditions to create a turning point.
Kim Jong-gyu held out most of the fourth quarter, and Kang Sang-jae returned to the court 2 minutes and 33 seconds before the end of the game. Like Kim Jong-kyu, he fought in the paint zone with a fighting spirit. This was connected with Dijon Davis (201cm, F)’s reverse basket count (60-59) and wedge hook shot (65-59).
DB struggled to taste the victory. Kang Sang-jae recorded 9 rebounds (attack 3), the most by a Korean player on both teams. Acting DB coach Kim Joo-seong also said after the game, “I emphasized the invisible stats to the players. In particular, he emphasized the invisible contribution associated with rebounding. (Kang) Sang-jae did that well,” and considered Kang Sang-jae’s hidden contribution as one of the approvals.