“Hard Call” brought huge changes to KBL, Xu Xun is still full of regrets.
On October 31 this year, Suwon KT won 69-61 in the 2024-25 KCC professional basketball first round away game against Goyang Sono at Goyang Sono Arena.
Xu Xun scored 15 points and 6 assists that day, leading the kt team to victory. That halted Sono’s undefeated opening streak. But Xu Xun’s expression when he came to the official interview room was unclear.
news/cms/202411/02/news-p.v1.20241102.a92bb02c5ce640fb99a3d9e0b0bf82c9_R.jpg" data-width="640" data-height="417" /> Enlarge photo. Photo=KBL提供.
It can be seen that the game between kt and sono is a bloody battle. No team scored more than 70 points, which can be described as “swamp basketball”. Just like kt said to Li Zhenxuan, Zeng Yeqianfu also tried every means to stop Xu Xun. The defense based on fierce physical confrontation made it difficult for both Lee Jung-hyun and Xu Xun to perform normally.
Heo Hoon poured out all his frustrations in response to questions about hard calls. He said: “I even doubt whether this is the right thing to do.” It is not clear what the purpose of ‘hard calling’ is. You will know after watching this game. I thought I committed a foul, but I didn’t call it. There are times when I feel happy. But if you apply for the Foul Challenge, it is said to be a foul. Isn’t that a soft call? If a protest is made, it is a technical foul. His scoring ability has declined, and so has his condition. Although I want to use technology to overcome it, it is not easy. “
He also said: “Compared with other countries, the culture itself is different since childhood. Of course I like hard calls. I don’t hate tough basketball. On the contrary, I like it more. But when shooting, I rush over with my body and I don’t know how to overcome it. Regarding defensive ability “For strong players, this is great”, “As players, there are a lot of worries and difficulties about how to adapt.”
This season has transformed into a “hard call”, and the overall scoring ability has dropped significantly. After playing 52 games, the KBL’s average score is 76.7 points. After scoring 79.4 points in the 2019-20 season, it stayed around 70 points again after five years.
The wild shot success rate of 42.8% is the lowest since the establishment of the KBL in 1997 based on 52 games. It can be seen that the current KBL can be said to be an era of “swamp basketball”.
news/cms/202411/02/news-p.v1.20241102.8a8242bc433a4f4ca979c5934f12a752_R.jpg" data-width="640" data-height="383" /> Enlarge photo = KBL提供.
Xu Xun said, “If the rhythm is accelerated, it can be said to be interesting basketball and good basketball, but there will be no fouls. Now it seems that most people’s average score is around 70 points, and the shooting success rate is also declining. In order to overcome difficulties , the vision will be narrowed and the game will be unreasonable. Who can say such a thing? It is difficult for directors to do it, and I think someone should come forward to say this.”
He continued: “There are parts that require calm thinking. Although you can pay a fine, I think it should be pointed out clearly. Even so, few players have the courage to speak out.”
Xu Xun is not unconditionally critical of “Hard Call”. He showed a positive response to “hard calls” but a lot of regret about the standards.
Xu Xun said: “The hard shot itself is very good. But I have a question. In the EASL game, it is a soft call. It was really shocking. I heard that other games will be bloody, but I don’t know much. Now we have even Kids like (Deonte) Burton are just throwing tantrums.”
There is also the strong-willed Heo Hoon who wants to improve “Hard Call”. He said: “I hope I can listen to the players. I pushed too hard.” (Li) Zheng Xian also said: “I saw him just now and he said he was too tired.” Although we also have to adapt to hard balls, there are definitely parts that need improvement.” “In the end, won’t our players be responsible for the results of the game? We also get scolded. Consistency in penalties is good. But the standards themselves are very hard”, expressing regret.
news/cms/202411/02/news-p.v1.20241102.a8f7233eb84741dd97011a0cf85e142c_R.jpg" data-width="640" data-height="408" /> Enlarge photo. Photo=KBL提供.
[闵俊九 MK体育记者]
