It was Game 4 of the Round of 6 PO
Kebe Aluma (206 cm, F) finished his first KBL season.
Ulsan Hyundai Mobis lost 80-93 to Suwon KT in the fourth round of the 2023-2024 professional basketball semifinal playoff held at Ulsan Dongcheon Gymnasium on the 11th. 1 win and 3 losses overall in the series. They were frustrated in front of the semifinal playoffs for three consecutive seasons from the 2021-2022 season.
Hyundai Mobis had a hard time because of foreign players during the 2022-2023 season. To be precise, the two option foreign players did. Neither Justin Knox (204 cm, F) nor Henry Sims (208 cm, C) were able to cheer up Hyundai Mobis.
For that reason, the burden on Gage Prim (205 cm, C) got bigger and bigger. Also, when a two-option foreign player left, Hyundai Mobis failed to differentiate themselves. This is because Prim, Knox, and Sims' tendencies were not so different. This is why Hyundai Mobis kneeled down to Day One Sports (now Goyang Carrot) in the semifinal playoff despite ranking fourth in the regular season (34 wins and 20 losses) in the 2022-2023 season.
Therefore, Hyundai Mobis was cautious about recruiting foreign players with two options. He had a different tendency from Prim, but thought about resources to boost energy like Prim. After a lot of thought, I decided to go with Kebe Aluma.
Aluma is equipped with height, elasticity and speed. He can utilize more space than Prim. He can also deploy fastballs. He is a player who can handle balls.
Aluma played just 17 minutes and 45 seconds on average in 48 games during the 2023-2024 season. Nevertheless, he recorded 13.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game (attack 2.1) 1.4 assists. He left an outstanding record for playing time. And went to the playoffs with his teammates.
Aluma played a key role in the second round of the playoffs. In 25 minutes and 25 seconds, he recorded 22 points, three rebounds, and one steal from two blocks. In particular, Aluma scored back-to-back points, setting the stage for a come-from-behind victory, when the team lost 61-71.
Aluma also scored meaningful points in the third game. However, it failed to control its matchup Paris Bath (200 cm, F). As a result, both Hyundai Mobis and Aluma faced the crisis of "ending the 2023-2024 season." So, we need to focus more on the fourth game.
Aluma found it difficult for Bath to dribble and shoot a beat fast. However, Aluma also countered with a long shot. And he steadily rebounded KT's offense failure, laying the foundation for Hyundai Mobis' offense.
Also, Aluma did not hesitate to engage in a war of nerves with Bath. And he tried to create synergy with Jang Jae-seok (202 cm, C) or Kim Joon-il (200 cm, C). At the same time, he even thought of defending. Both offense and defense tried to empower him.
Aluma also stepped on the court in the second quarter. Aluma's physical burden was huge, but so was Bath, who faced Aluma. Bath did not step back to the bench like Aluma.
However, Aluma's physical strength was increasingly revealed. While several KT players took turns blocking Aluma, Aluma had to block Bath alone. Aluma, who had been running constantly in both offense and defense, was a little tired. For that reason, the Hyundai Mobis bench called Aluma to the bench 5 minutes and 6 seconds before the end of the second quarter.
Freem, who was resting, matched up with Michael Eric (210 centimeters, C). Both players specialized in under-the-basket-shot attacks. Their fierce competition was different from the "Aluma-Bath" structure.
However, Hyundai Mobis reached the third quarter with a score of 46-50. Although Aluma returned to the court, Aluma's energy had already run out. In addition, he failed all of his first four shots (2 points: 1, 3 points: 3) since the start of the third quarter.
Also, four domestic players showed cracks in defense. Aluma's defensive gaze could not be directed only to Bath. So Aluma allowed Bath to break through. Hyundai Mobis also fell to 52-58 with 4:47 to go in the third quarter. Aluma then stepped back to the bench again.
Nevertheless, Hyundai Mobis failed to calm down the sluggish mood. Rather, it saved Bath and Ha Yoon-gi at the same time. Moon Seong-gon (195 cm, F) also got 3 points two minutes and 20 seconds before the end of the third quarter. 58-68. Faced with a desperate crisis. 토토사이트 추천
However, Lee hard carried the latter half of the third quarter. Three-pointer, breakthrough, and fastball finish. He made seven consecutive points. So Hyundai Mobis avoided the worst. They were able to reach the fourth quarter 67-74.
Aluma did not step on the court even in the fourth quarter. Prim took his place. He dribbled a successful jumper 71-76 minutes before the game ended. He induced KT's first timeout in the second half.
However, Freem was involved in a war of nerves with Bath. He committed an offens foul 6 minutes and 47 seconds before the end of the game. So Hyundai Mobis coach Cho Dong-hyun re-inserted Aluma.
Aluma also failed to give much strength to the team. Rather, he had to spend his last loss on the court. He ended his first KBL season with 10 points, eight rebounds, five steals, and two rebounds in 26 minutes and 54 seconds.