"I know it's hard to get your feet moving, and I'm sorry." Coach Son Chang-hwan's empathetic leadership continues with a three-game sweep against SK.

*This content was translated by AI.

Goyang Sono Skygunners head coach Son Chang-hwan (50) has moved basketball fans greatly with his "empathetic leadership" displayed during a timeout in a match against Seoul SK Knights on the 16th.

Goyang Sono defeated Seoul SK 66-65 in the third game of the 2025-2026 LG Electronics Pro Basketball playoffs' top six on the 16th at Goyang Sono Arena in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Although the team engaged in a close contest and allowed SK to take the lead, it ultimately secured the victory.

With this victory, Sono achieved a perfect 3-0 record and advanced to the playoffs for the first time in the team's history, reaching the semifinals. They will now face Changwon LG Sakers, who secured the top spot in the regular season, in the semifinals.

There was a memorable moment that day. With about three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Sonos led 62-53. After allowing a three-pointer from "opposing ace" Jamil Wani, narrowing the gap to six points, Coach Son Chang-hwan called a timeout. It appeared to be an attempt to remind the players to focus on box-outs, which were not executed properly, leading to offensive rebounds, and to address the open spaces that emerged during defensive rotations.

Coach Son, who gathered players who had hit physical limits, immediately offered an unexpected apology instead of tactical instructions as the timeout began. He started by saying to the visibly exhausted players, "I know you're too tired to even lift your feet. I'm sorry."

Coach Son, who succeeded Yeo, encouraged the players by saying, "Since this (defense) combination is right for today, let's try a bit harder." In particular, he emphasized not just focusing on scoring, but also on dedicated play on the court such as rebounds and box-outs, conveying his intentions regarding defensive matchups.

Coach Son also emphasized defense to the players once again, stating, "Those guarding the shooter must also box out. You cannot just stand and watch." Even in a tense situation where his team was trailing by six points, Coach Son Chang-hwan's heartfelt words, which prioritized the players' struggles, have been praised for conveying the inherent emotional power of sports, regardless of the outcome.

Netizens who viewed the video praised Coach Son's leadership, saying, "With the coach apologizing, the players have no choice but to play," and "He showed the dignity of a true leader."

Although the team allowed a comeback to 65-64 in the final moments of the fourth quarter, it regained the lead with a two-point shot by "ace" Nathan Knight with four seconds remaining, ultimately winning the game 66-65.

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*This content was translated by AI.