‘I forgot how to lose’ DB goes on a winning streak
The Wonju DBs, the professional basketball team that forgot how to lose, are on a roll. After suffering their first loss since their opening seven-game winning streak, the team is on a frightening winning streak again.
DB, led by head coach Kim Joo-sung, beat Goyang Sono 99-91 in the 2023-2024 Pro Basketball Goyang Sono at 텍사스홀덤 Goyang Sono Arena on the 19th. Riding a five-game winning streak, DB improved to 12-1 and extended its lead over second-place Anyang Jungkwanjang (8-4) to 3.5 games.
DB, which was categorized as a mid-table team before the start of the season, is now firmly established as one of the strongest teams in the league. Kim Joo-sung’s leadership has been highlighted.
Kim, who was the best center in the league, personally coached center Kim Jong-kyu on the court to revive his game. Instead of limiting Jong-kyu’s mobility to the perimeter, Kang Sang-jae has expanded his range to the perimeter, and Dedrick Lawson’s ball-handling has revived the “DB Acid.
With veteran guard Doo Kyung-min out with an injury, the sixth man Ki-Yong Kee was not left out. Choi Seung-wook, Park In-woong, and Kim Young-hyun have been taking turns on the court for five to 10 minutes each, energizing the bench battle. All of them have a strong three-point shot, but Choi and Park In-woong also help out on defense with their height.
As a result, DB is often able to come from behind in the second half of games, even when down early. Against SONO, DB was down 22-38 in the second quarter before turning the game around. DB’s poor three-point shooting in the first half exploded in the third quarter as Lawson (29 points) led the offense from inside and out. Back-to-back three-pointers from Lee Sun Albano (13 points), Kang Sang-jae (17 points), and Kim Young-hyun (5 points) gave DB its first lead at 53-52 with 1:52 left in the third quarter. It was back-and-forth for SONO as ace Lee Jung-hyun (30 points) responded with a three-pointer of his own.
The game was decided at the end of the fourth quarter, when DB, who conserved their physical strength by using their thicker players as a weapon, came from behind. DB broke through the somewhat lax SONO defense with back-to-back three-pointers from Park In-woong (11 points) and Kang Sang-jae to go up 92-87, and then another three-pointer from Kang Sang-jae with 1:20 left in the game sealed the victory.
Anyang defeated Busan KCC 84-74 at home behind three 3-pointers from Jung Hyo-geun (22 points). Changwon LG ran its home winning streak to four games with a 77-62 victory over Daegu Korea Gas Corp. in Changwon.