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Professional basketball KT and LG semifinals PO, will be decided in the 'chang and shield' mercenary match
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Story
Is it Paris Bath's hot scoring or Asem Maray's strong under-the-goal defense.
The Suwon KT, the men's professional basketball team, beat Ulsan Hyundai Mobis by 3-1 with a fiery scoring run by Bath, the top scorer in this season's regular season, and took the last place in the semifinal playoff. In the semifinal PO, the team will face Changwon LG, which ranked second in the regular season league with its solid defense. As for LG, Asem Maray, who is called the ruler of the goal, is holding out, attention is focusing on whether Bath will be able to penetrate the hole.
Bath, who is considered the best striker in the 2023-2024 season, ranks among the top in most attack categories including scoring goals. With an average score of 25.4, Bath beat out Jamil Warney of the Seoul SK Wyverns, and became the top scorer during the KBL debut season. It ranks fifth with an average of 7.4 points with two points, and sixth with an average of 2.5 points per game with three points per game. Watchers say that he is lagging behind other big men in physical struggle, but he garnered an average of 2.7 points in offense rebound to rank seventh. Although his position is power forward, he posted 4.6 assists per game, as many as guards, to rank fifth.
Bath's offense power was fierce even when she entered the semifinals. With an average of 29.3 points, which is higher than that of the regular season, Bath led the team in scoring, beating out its teammate Heo Hoon (20.5 points). With two points, she also ranked first with 8.5 points, and ranked fifth with three points with 2.3. As if to mock others, she is leading the pack by garnering 5.0 offensive rebounds.
In terms of offense, Bath boasts performance close to perfection. He breaks through dribbles, and kick-out passes based on his broad perspective, creating chances for his team members as well as scoring goals. In addition, he has good athletic ability, which makes him rarely lose ground in a one-on-one fight with guards.
Although Big Man's defense was pointed out as a weakness at the beginning of the season, it is evaluated that his defense has improved as he supplemented it through efforts such as gaining weight. With his excellent defensive sense, Steel ranks second with an average of 1.8.
If KT has a high expectation on Bath's offense capability, LG's Maray is strongest defense. Maray is the best player in the KBL in terms of strength and height. He garnered an average of 14.4 rebounds to rank No. 1 in the regular season league. In addition, his interception ability (1.6 points, ranking fifth) is outstanding, which makes him overwhelming to rival strikers.
He is evaluated as having good eye for and judgment on the game, as he not only rebounds but also facilitates the operation of the game through the screen. He was devalued due to his excellent defense capability, but he complies with the scoring ability (15.9 points, 12th place). Although he is not caught in the record, he is also advantageous in boosting the morale of his teammates by banking on his defense, which does not save his body.
It is expected that the result of Bath's showdown with Maray will ultimately determine the outcome. LG and KT will have their first semifinal PO match at Changwon Gymnasium on the 16th.