'Thoughtful Remarks' Lee Hyun-joong: "We Shouldn't Celebrate Just Because We Won... We Needed a 30–40 Point Margin" [Suwon Field]

*This content was translated by AI.

The ace did not smile even after securing a victory. Lee Hyun-joong (25), who led the team to a win against Saudi Arabia and became the key figure in ending their losing streak, expressed painful self-reflection instead of joy. He urged cold reflection, stating that the performance was unsatisfactory.

After the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers match against Saudi Arabia held at Suwon KT Sonicboom Arena on the 31st, Lee Hyun-joong met with reporters in the mixed zone and said, "I am happy to have won, but it was truly a game we must reflect upon." He added, "The play still looked too monotonous, and frankly, physical condition is no excuse. Players who take the court must compete more calmly."

On that day, Lee Hyun-joong made three 3-point shots and delivered an outstanding performance on both offense and defense with 25 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals. However, he did not dwell on his personal stats. Despite arriving from the U.S. and facing significant jet lag and physical strain, when asked about signs of fatigue, he firmly stated, "It is my fault."

Lee Hyun-joong also said, "Travel distance is no excuse. The Saudi players traveled too, and we all did." He continued, "My going back and forth was my own choice. I should not have shown such behavior on the court just because it was tough. From the moment you step onto the court, there are no excuses. We need to focus more on conditioning and play with greater composure," as he took responsibility for his actions.

He also pointed out issues regarding the fluctuating momentum in the final minutes of the game and poor shooting from beyond the arc. Lee Hyun-joong explained, "Because we were out-rebounded, players sometimes became anxious. When the opponent gained momentum, our performance in the fourth quarter remained consistently poor." He added, "If you don't shoot even when shots aren't falling, nothing will happen. Shooters with good shooting ability must continue to shoot confidently without getting overly excited or discouraged over every single point. They need to create and capitalize on opportunities."

He continued with critical remarks regarding improvements needed ahead of the Asian Games in ten days. Lee Hyun-joong stated, "Our offense is too monotonous, and our one-on-one defensive capability is still significantly lacking." He noted, "Opposing big men are taller, and there are many naturalized players, so our wing players must actively assist with rebounding. There are too many issues to fix. However, I have promised to resolve them through discussions with the head coach, coaching staff, and teammates."

Finally, Lee Hyun-joong raised his voice, emphasizing that the entire national team must reflect on itself regardless of the score margin. He said, "We are not dismissing Saudi Arabia, but purely in terms of performance, this was a game we should have won by a cold 30–40 point margin." He stressed, "Instead of celebrating with 'we won,' it is time for everyone to reflect on what went wrong. It is not anyone's fault; all players, including myself, must reflect more deeply and take a closer look at ourselves."

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*This content was translated by AI.