Won 8 times in 9 games. There is a clear reason for the incredible win rate of 88.9%.
Changwon LG has fallen into a swamp of three consecutive losses since the start of the 2023-24 CheongKwanJang professional basketball season. It was not the result expected from them, who ranked second in the regular league in the 2022-23 season. However, after three straight losses, they went on a five-game winning streak, and have now finished with eight wins out of nine games.
After coach Cho Sang-hyun took office, LG divided its thick roster in half and operated it as a ‘two-track’ system. They found the best way to create synergy with Assem Marey and Dante Cunningham, who have different play styles.
At the beginning of the 2023-24 season, 'two-track' operation was somewhat difficult. It was difficult to immediately fill the gap in Kim Jun-il's transfer, which was one of the points of the 'two-track' operation. In addition, Yang Hong-seok, who was recruited through FA, needed an adjustment period to participate in the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, and ace Lee Jae-do had difficulty showing 100% performance in the 2022-23 season due to a hand injury.
Coach Cho chose to change the lineup according to the situation rather than 'two-track' this season. Rather than the front line with various styles, changes were made to the back line without Kim Jun-il. Before Park Jeong-hyun was deployed in action, variables were reduced by deploying Jeong Hee-jae and Yang Hong-seok according to the situation.
LG also showed a strong rebound as veterans Lee Jae-do and Lee Kwan-hee gradually came back to life and Marey took center stage. Yang Hong-seok forgot the somewhat shaky first round and adapted perfectly from the second round, strengthening his core. There are many positive aspects, such as Justin Gutang's liveliness and rookie Yoo Yu-sang's sharp 3-point shooting.
LG is a representative team with the strongest offense and defense balance in the KBL. The offense did not stand out much compared to the overwhelming defense in the 2022-23 season, but the 2023-24 season is different.
He ranks 3rd in overall team scoring, averaging 84.1 points in 12 games in the 2023-24 season. Compared to the 76.7 points recorded in 12 games in the 2022-23 season, the average increased by nearly 10 points. The biggest difference was in bench scoring.
LG is recording a whopping 40.5 points through bench scoring alone in the 2023-24 season. In the 2022-23 season, it was 28.6 points (based on 12 games). Looking at last season as a whole, he recorded 34.4 points, which is definitely great, but this season is even higher than that.
This was possible because Yang Hong-seok started from the bench rather than as a starter in the middle of the first round, and his scoring power revived, and like last season, Lee Kwan-hee and Cunningham took center stage. In addition, Gutang has also completely adapted to KBL, and the addition of Yoo Yu-sang and Jeong In-deok is creating a tremendous synergy effect.
The average number of 3-point shots was also 8.5, an average increase of nearly 2 compared to the 2022-23 season (6.7).
The defense is also the best in the 2023-24 season following the 2022-23 season. Ranked first overall with an average of 74.3 goals allowed. It is lower than the 76.6 goals allowed, which finished first overall in the 2022-23 season. Even based on 12 games, this season's record is slightly superior at 76.5 goals allowed.
The fundamentally solid defensive system continues as is. Most of the players who were in good hands in the 2022-23 season remain on the team, and the new member Yang Hong-seok adapted quickly. In addition, Jeong In-deok showed good defense during difficult times, and veterans such as Lee Jae-do and Lee Kwan-hee joined in, so there were no gaps. Marey’s defensive dominance is the best in KBL.
LG is the team that wins by the largest margin of points on average this season. They are winning by 18.5 points per game. At the same time, it is also the team that loses by 7.5 points per game, the second-lowest point difference in the KBL (the leading DB wins by an average of 15.6 points (2nd) and loses by 5.0 points (1st)).
LG, with its already solid defense and offensive power, clearly rebounded. They are currently threatening Anyang Jeonggwanjang, which is in second place with 8 wins and 4 losses. The momentum is good as they are undefeated in 3 games in the 2nd round. Currently, in the KBL, the only players without a second-round loss are LG, Seoul SK (3 wins), and Wonju DB (4 wins).
The Peregrine Falcons' early season run is fierce. What's even scarier is that this is a team with few variables due to its solid offense and defense balance. If there are no sudden injuries, LG's season is expected to be very warm as well. 안전놀이터 ~