No new signings, yet everything changed with one word from Kim Sang-sik... "We are one team; let's stop blaming each other." Samsung, last place for five straight years, achieves KBL's first-ever nine-game winning streak

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"Let's stop blaming each other and unite as one."

Seoul Samsung was completely transformed by a single remark from head coach Kim Sang-sik.

Samsung, led by head coach Kim Sang-sik, defeated Goyang Sono 95-87 in an away game at the Goyang Sono Arena on the 30th in the 2026~2027 KCC Pro Basketball regular season.

With this victory, Samsung maintained its sole lead position while running a nine-game winning streak since the start of the season. It surpassed the previous KBL record for the most consecutive wins at the start of a season, which was eight games, writing a new chapter in history. The team also became the first in KBL history to win all nine games in the first round.

Even more surprising is Samsung's performance over the past few years. From the 2021~2022 season through the most recent 2025~2026 season, Samsung finished at the bottom of the standings for five consecutive seasons. Last season, it also ended in 10th place, the lowest in the league, with a record of 16 wins and 38 losses. The team struggled to escape its long period of stagnation.

The situation was not significantly different ahead of this season either. Although head coach Kim Sang-sik took over the helm anew in July, there were no major roster reinforcements through the signing of star players. Instead, Lee Won-seok and Park Seung-jae entered military service, and Lee Dae-sung also left the active lineup due to injury.

At the season-opening media day as well, not a single head coach predicted Samsung to win the championship. In contrast, Wonju DB was named a title contender by seven out of nine other team head coaches.

However, once the season actually began, it defied all expectations. Samsung did not lose a single game after the start of the season and ultimately achieved the historic feat of a nine-game winning streak at the start of the season, a first in KBL history.

It is a stunning turnaround. There were no notable high-profile player signings. In fact, concerns arose about a weakened roster due to military service and injuries among key players. Yet, with the change in head coach, the team was completely transformed.

After the victory over Sono, head coach Kim shared his thoughts in a broadcast interview, saying, "It is early in the season and still the first round, but it feels like a dream. I want to praise the players."

The part head coach Kim emphasized most ahead of this season was precisely being a "one team." He stated, "I emphasized that we should build a club where we do not blame each other and can unite as one," adding, "I told them not to engage in any behavior that harms the team or the players, whether during practice or in their private lives."

He further explained, "Those aspects seem to have led to the players' unity and are now manifesting in our on-court performance."

It was not simply a matter of emphasizing unity to the players. Head coach Kim also paid meticulous attention to providing precise direction so that the players would not experience confusion during games and training. This is also why Samsung players evaluate head coach Kim as someone who "organizes things well."

Head coach Kim said, "I did not just brush things over. I told them to ask if they did not know what to do. I wanted to address things accurately."

He continued, "As we talked with the players, I realized that I could point things out in advance without waiting for them to ask," explaining, "So I try hard to speak precisely during timeouts and practice."

Head coach Kim's coaching ability was well demonstrated in this game against Sono as well. When Sono's foreign player Johnny O'Brien left the game due to injury, Samsung players focused their attacks on Kantar in the paint. However, head coach Kim instead instructed them to play their usual style.

Head coach Kim explained, "Because the opposing foreign player O'Brien was injured, our players targeted that area too much." He added, "The opponents would have prepared to defend against Kerem Kantar, but because our players only focused on that side, our own play did not come out."

He then noted, "I called a timeout and told them to just play our game. I said we should stop looking for Kantar alone."

Head coach Kim's instructions worked perfectly. Although Samsung allowed a comeback to trail 76-78 in the fourth quarter, they tied the game with a basket by Kantar in the paint. They then regained control with consecutive three-pointers from Justin Gutong and Lee Gyu-tae. Adding to this, Lee Gwan-hee's scoring quickly extended their lead to 86-78.

With 31.5 seconds remaining in the game, Lee Gyu-tae hit a decisive three-pointer. Ultimately, Samsung defeated Sono on the road to complete a historic nine-game winning streak.

Head coach Kim did not attribute the credit for the nine-game winning streak to any specific player. He emphasized, "There are the five players on the court and the sixth man, but when you watch practice, every player works really hard," adding, "I want to praise all the players, not just one person."

Reflecting on the nine-game winning streak, head coach Kim said the game against Sono on the 11th was the most memorable. At that time, Samsung overcame an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to secure a comeback victory with a score of 82-81. In particular, Kantar hit a dramatic game-winning three-pointer just before the end of the game.

Head coach Kim recalled, "All the games were difficult, but it seems the players gained confidence after winning the previous game against Sono with Kantar's dramatic three-pointer."

Fans are sending warm support for Samsung's winning streak. In particular, it is becoming a special season for long-time fans who remember Samsung's prime era.

Head coach Kim said, "I am truly grateful to the fans. We practice to show our wins to the fans," promising, "There may be games where we lose in the future, but even then, we will not forget the play we are doing and will do our best."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original