"Key" of escaping Hyundai Mobis' losing streak
Hyundai Mobis' big lineup was the key to escaping consecutive losses.
Ulsan Hyundai Mobis beat Seoul Samsung 77-69 in its first showdown of the season with 2023-2024 Jeong Kwan-jang professional basketball held at Dongcheon Gymnasium in Ulsan on the 9th. Hyundai Mobis, which met the bad news of Lee Woo-suk (injury) being absent before the game, even had an unexpected variable in which Gage Prim left the court in the third quarter. Prim, who committed a T-foul early in the game, left the court as it was after accumulating a U-foul in the third quarter and being judged to be sent off.
In the moment of crisis, Hyundai Mobis overcame the crisis with its big lineup shining in the match, and secured the victory. Hyundai Mobis, which escaped its second consecutive loss, earned its fifth win (three losses) and rose to second place alone.
Hyundai Mobis, which repeatedly had a low outside shot and a third-quarter inferiority during the losing streak, laughed as it brought out a new weapon called the big lineup.
Before the game, coach Cho Dong-hyun announced the start of Choi Jin-soo (34, 203cm), signaling the start of the big lineup. Choi Jin-soo, who is high, was appointed as the No. 3 (Small Forward) to target under the opponent's goal with a strategy that causes a mismatch.
In response, coach Cho started Choi Jin-soo, Ham Ji-hoon, and gauge Prim along with the backcourt of Kim Tae-wan and Kim Ji-wan.
As a result, this choice brought victory. He used his height advantage to actively target Samsung under the basket. Ham Ji-hoon (39, 198cm) took the center with 18 points and 9 assists, while Prim and Kebe Aluma also combined for 29 points and 12 rebounds. Thanks to their performance, Hyundai Mobis also dominated the provision (36-32).
While Ham Ji-hoon and two foreign players were focusing on the attack, Choi Jin-soo focused on defense. Not only the outside but also the defensive position under the goal was appropriate. When Coburn attempted a post-up on the inside, two Hyundai Mobis defenders surrounded him. And about one foot from the low post, Choi Jin-soo's movement to enter the assist defense was smooth.
The moment the big lineup truly shines is a game-changer. After finishing the third quarter tied (52-52), Hyundai Mobis scored eight points down and brought the flow to life as soon as the fourth quarter began. At a time when the atmosphere needs to be changed, Hyundai Mobis' big lineup effectively blocked the opponent's attack.
After the game, coach Cho Dong-hyun also praised, saying, "Big men performed well on the prepared defense." At the same time, he also revealed his plans for the future big lineup.
"(Choi) Jin-soo also showed good performance in the D League. He plans to use the big lineup using Jinsoo little by little (in the regular league). Jin-soo is good at solving it on defense and height, so I'm going to use other big line-ups as well," he said.
In Cho's head, he is also considering another type of big lineup. It is also likely that Aluma, who has shooting ability, will be placed on a small forward and used domestic big men such as Jang Jae-seok and Kim Joon-il at the same time.
The big lineup of Hyundai Mobis, which boasts very solid big men, is likely to be a key point for future games of Hyundai Mobis.