Seoul SK Edges Out Win⁣ in Playoff Opener; Coach Criticizes Team’s Professionalism

SEOUL, South Korea (April 23, 2025) – Seoul SK narrowly defeated their opponents in the first game of the Pro Basketball ⁣Semifinal playoff series held at Jamsil Student Gymnasium. Despite the victory, head coach Jeon Hee-chul expressed strong dissatisfaction with the team’s performance and attitude.

Slow Start, Hard-Fought Victory

While SK ultimately secured the win, the game was far from comfortable. After scoring⁢ the first 10 points, they conceded a 28-13 lead to KT early⁣ in the second quarter. A determined comeback, capped by a⁣ strong ⁤fourth quarter, salvaged the victory, but the team’s ⁣struggles where evident.

Inconsistent ⁤Performance Raises Concerns

SK’s performance was marked by inconsistency. While they‍ managed to score ⁢61 points from defenders, mitigating KT Ace Heo Hoon’s 19-point first half, their overall shooting percentage was only 44%. Missed shots and other errors highlighted ⁣issues beyond simple shooting slumps.

coach Jeon’s Blunt Assessment

Following the game, Coach Jeon Hee-chul delivered a scathing critique of his team’s professionalism. “It’s not ⁢professional‍ to play in this position,” Jeon said. “It’s the first time I’ve spoken so strongly ⁣in a public setting.”

Jeon elaborated, stating, “The players worked hard, but they played for themselves, not for the team. I don’t think that’s the right attitude.” He refrained from singling out individual players, emphasizing that his criticism applied to the entire team.

Acknowledging the Opponent

Despite his criticism, Jeon acknowledged the talent of KT’s ⁢Heo Hoon. “There was nothing wrong⁣ with our defense,” Jeon said. “We pressured him as planned. I ⁣told the players that his⁣ performance would likely decline from the third quarter, and that even if he drove hard in the first⁣ half, we needed to stop him in the second.”

Defensive strategies

jeon had previously stated his intention to⁣ contain Heo Hoon, and in the first leg, SK⁤ utilized a rotation of Oh Jae-hyun, Choi Won-hyuk, and Kim Tae-hoon to defend against him.

Looking Ahead

Jeon anticipates a ‍challenging series ahead. “I think it’s going to be a tight series,” he said. He also noted the importance of disrupting the two-man game between Heo Hoon and Ha Yoon-ki, adding that switching defensive schemes could possibly confuse his own players.