Many graced the court.
Jamil Warney, who won the MVP award with a score of 51 points, Choi Joon-yong, who showed off his powerful combination play again, and the head coach also made an unusual sight to see. He is DB manager Kim Joo-sung, who is perfect for picking another MVP at the 2023-2024 professional basketball All-Star Game.
It was strong from the start. Coach Kim, who led the KBLMON team by ranking first in the first half of the season, announced the start of the All-Star Game as promised. He danced in the center of the court with Cho Sang-hyun, the head coach of the Gongjari team, and spectators who filled the basketball court cheered him up. He marked the beginning of the festival by shedding his image as a stern and hard-headed coach.
It was not the end. After the third quarter began, Kim and Cho returned to the court. He played in person as a player, not as a coach. A regular at the All-Star Game and center for the national team, Kim stood on the court for the first time since his retirement in 2018. Again, Goyang Stadium was filled with cheers.
The play time was only about three minutes, but it couldn't be better. Kim had a showdown with his student Kim Jong-gyu at the center. He gave a surprise by recreating his image as an active player. He scored following skillful post-up and offensive rebound. Kim Jong-gyu's sense of dribbling between his legs was also beyond description. He also dribbled through the back with his unique agility in defense. From pivot to assist, the most versatile center in Korean basketball history unfolded as if riding a time machine.
Coach Kim Joo-sung is attempting to shoot in the 2023-2024 professional basketball All-Star Game at Sono Arena in Goyang, on the 14th. 2024. 1. 14. Goyang | Reporter Choi Seung-seop thunder@sportsseoul.com
In fact, he has more experience as an All-Star than anyone else. He has been selected as an All-Star for 16 consecutive years throughout his active career from the 2002-2003 season, his first year as a professional player, to the 2017-2018 retirement season. He was truly Mr. All-Star. In the 2007-2008 season, he won the MVP award in the All-Star Game.
As head coach Kim stepped on the court, it became an All-Star game where people can enjoy both the present and the past. DB, the protagonist of the first half of the year, also proudly played a leading role in the All-Star game with head coach Kim at the forefront.