“It’s a problem if you’re too good. You can’t change it…”
Busan KCC beat Anyang Jeong Kwan-jang 102-71 in the first round of the 2024-25 KCC professional basketball league held at Sajik Gymnasium in Busan on Sunday. Seventh-ranked KCC came back with a 50% win rate with four wins and four losses. Jeong Kwan-jang, who came in eighth, went 2-5.
KCC was troubled as center Tyler Davis was kicked out early because he failed to build up his body. Major foreign player Dionte Burton (30) has scored 40 points alone since the opening game, boasting NBA-class scoring ability.
However, a 193-centimeter-tall button has limitations in blocking an opponent team’s foreign player who is over 2 meters tall. Even though Lee Seung-hyun is facing a big man, he is under heavy pressure. He hurriedly brought Leon Williams as a substitute, but he still has limitations. 안전놀이터
“Should I change Williams or change the button? Please tell me if there is a way,” coach Jeon Chang-jin said jokingly. “I am satisfied with Burton’s scoring ability, but defense is a problem. Williams, a 38-year-old veteran, can only play during his break time.
In fact, Burton displayed outstanding attack strength by scoring a hot windmill dunk shot from the no-mark to mark Jeong’s victory. However, Burton allowed his caddie Lauren, who had only three points in the match against Hyundai Mobis on the previous day, nine points in the first quarter alone. Burton simply failed to block Lauren, who was pushing her physically. On the day, she scored 26 points, showing good performance in a long time.
Leon Williams was deployed in the second quarter. As Williams blocked Lahren well and Hur Woong scored, KCC brought the entire team back to life. KCC, whose offense power exploded in the third quarter, widened the gap to 23 points in the first half of the fourth quarter to determine the outcome.
On the day, Burton scored 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and three blocks. Not all of the 26 points that Larren scored were against Burton, but it was true that he benefited from the low-rise Burton.
Manager Jeon Chang-jin said of Burton’s defense, “I am agonizing. Choi Joon-yong and Song Kyo-chang should come together and make a decision. Some parts of the team are not able to defend, rebound or fastball. If you play in the first round, you will get an answer.”
KCC will have a match against Macau Black Bears in the East Asian Super League on June 6. Afterwards, he will return to Korea to face SK on June 9. Choi still has one more week to go before returning to the game. The dilemma continues over how KCC will block Jameel Warnie, the KBL’s biggest man.
