"No ace = too many aces" — Why Samsung's seven-game winning streak is even more frightening

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Seoul Samsung does not have an absolute ace who takes on all offensive responsibilities. However, from the opposing team's perspective, this point is actually more troublesome. It is because they do not know who will step up.

On the 24th, Samsung defeated Ulsan Hyundai Mobis 91-71 in an away game held at Ulsan Dongcheon Gymnasium in the 2026~2027 KCC Pro Basketball League.

With this victory, Samsung has recorded a perfect 7-0 start to the season. It is the first seven-game winning streak in franchise history.

Now, attention turns to KBL history. Samsung will play an away game against Daegu Korea Gas Corporation on the 25th. If they win that game as well, they will record an eight-game winning streak to open the season.

This would tie the all-time KBL record for the longest opening winning streak of eight games, set by Wonju Dongbu (now DB) in the 2011~2012 season and Goyang Orions in the 2014~2015 season.

With just one more victory, Samsung will also have its name inscribed on a page of KBL history.

It is hard to believe this transformation for a team that had remained at the bottom of the standings for five consecutive seasons up until last season.

The frightening aspect of Samsung lies not only in the number of consecutive wins, but also in the quality of their play. Even though Hyundai Mobis' key big man, Gaeji Prim, was unable to play due to injury, Samsung took control from the early stages of the game. After leading 27-21 at the end of the first quarter, they maintained their lead in the second quarter to finish the first half with a score of 44-39.

The game swung significantly in the third quarter. Samsung scored 27 points in the third quarter alone while holding Hyundai Mobis to just 15 points. They extended their lead to 71-54 and did not lose momentum in the fourth quarter, completing a 20-point victory.

This season, Samsung has a distinct characteristic: the player the opponent must watch changes from game to game.

The game against Hyundai Mobis was no exception. Kerem Kanter dominated the paint with 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Chris McCullar recorded 21 points and 7 rebounds. The two foreign players combined for 48 points.

In addition, Lee Gwan-hee contributed 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, and Justin Gutong added 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists. Han Ho-bin also provided support with 9 points and 5 assists. The offense was not concentrated on a single specific player.

It was the same in the previous game against Busan KCC. Although Kanter poured in 30 points, it was not a victory created by him alone. Lee Gwan-hee scored 17 points, Lee Gyu-tae and McCullar both recorded 15 points each, and Gutong scored 10 points, resulting in an impressive five players scoring in double digits.

In the game against Wonju DB as well, five players recorded 10 or more points, and in the game against Goyang Sono, multiple players participated evenly in scoring.

In the game against Anyung Posco on the 9th, second-year player Lee Gyu-tae poured in a team-high 18 points. At that time, veteran guard Han Ho-bin also scored 11 points. Kanter had 11 points, Gutong had 9 points, and McCullar had 6 points. Domestic players scored more than the foreign players.

The only game where a specific player monopolized the offense was perhaps the game against Changwon LG on the 15th. At that time, Kanter exploded for a massive 42 points to lead the team to victory.

However, in most games, the picture was different. When one player was shut down, another stepped up, and the player in good form that day naturally became the center of the offense.

This is the biggest characteristic describing Samsung this season. Samsung head coach Kim Sang-sik has emphasized team play over basketball where the offense concentrates on a specific player since the beginning of the season, distributing roles among the players. The players are faithfully executing this in their respective positions.

It is not a team that can only win if one specific player scores 30 points. If Kanter is closely guarded, other offensive options come alive. Even if Lee Gwan-hee is stopped, McCullar and Gutong are there, and Han Ho-bin and Lee Gyu-tae can also join the scoring at any time. From the opponent's perspective, it is inevitably difficult to devise a defensive strategy.

One could say that Samsung does not have a clear "single ace." Conversely, they have too many aces. That power has translated into results. Samsung has not lost even once in the seven games since the start of the season. This is why Samsung's seven-game winning streak to open the season is so frightening.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original