If it's the opposing team, then 'Oh Jae-hyun's defense.' Now how?
Oh Jae-hyun has recorded 1.2 three-pointers on average for the first time this season. The number of attempts has also increased significantly. He only threw 2.9 three-pointers on average last season, but this season he has 3.8, which is more than this. His success rate also increased to 31.7 percent from last season. In terms of season`s standard rankings, he is the second highest after Ahn Young-joon (33.6 percent). He ranks 28th overall in the entire league.
In the game against Hyundai Mobis in Ulsan on Monday, SK lost (94-77) but Oh Jae-hyun scored 36 career-high points. He also made four out of nine 3-pointers. The previous record was 22 points (Feb. 14, 2023, vs. KT).
Before the game against DB on Tuesday, I asked Coach Jeon Hee-chul. If he were the opposing team's coach, how would he order Oh to defend himself, who scored 36 points in the previous game and whose three-point shooting success rate is 31.7 percent.
Manager Jeon Hee-chul said, "I think I'll tell him to close out. He didn't even close out before. Now that he can see the opponent, he was flustered at first. But these days, I kind of adjusted to it, thinking, 'Now I'm on it, too. That's why I break through. I'm going to go up one notch at this moment."
He also mentioned the importance of career-high 36 points that Oh Jae-hyun took. "The important reason for a player to take career-high scores is that he or she opens his eyes. When scoring a goal is fun, he or she learns the timing. Young players find it difficult to make decisions, but when they take career-high scores, they learn it instinctively. If players keep playing, they become big. It's because judgment improves."
After scoring 36 points, Oh recorded 11 points, one rebound, three assists, and one steal in a showdown with DB. Compared to the average of 9.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists, Oh displayed good performance, but failed to score all five 3-point shots. It is still confusing for the opponent. Should Oh defend strongly, run or let go.
One thing is certain, the opponent started to care about Oh Jae-hyun. One day, you may see a scene where Oh Jae-hyun is in the middle of a concentration check.