*This content was translated by AI.View Original
It is time to prove that "the nine-game winning streak was no accident." Seoul Samsung, which wrote a new history with a nine-game winning streak at the start of the season, suffered its first loss of the season. What matters now is how the team responds after the defeat.
Samsung, led by head coach Kim Sang-sik, will play an away game against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis in the 2026-2027 KCC Pro Basketball regular season at 7 p.m. on the 5th at Ulsan Dongcheon Gymnasium.
Samsung is currently leading the league alone with a record of nine wins and one loss this season. After finishing last for five consecutive seasons, Samsung has been on a nine-game winning streak since the start of the season, setting a KBL first-time record.
However, the momentum has slowed. Samsung suffered a 76-90 defeat to Seoul SK in the "S-Derby" on the 1st. The team was pushed back by SK's powerful offense from the first half, and trailed by as many as 27 points, 50-77, at the end of the third quarter. Although Samsung attempted a comeback in the fourth quarter, it could not overcome the gap that had opened up.
With this loss, Samsung's nine-game winning streak came to an end. Of course, one game loss does not erase the achievements made so far. However, it has become important whether the team can maintain the same level of play and team atmosphere as before even after a defeat.
Head coach Kim Sang-sik was also more wary of this than anyone else. After the loss to SK, Coach Kim stated, "Because we suffered a complete defeat, there are definitely parts that need to be addressed," adding, "Rather, it was a good game for the players to reflect on. Because we had been winning too much, a game like this could have happened. But we are not a team that should react that way."
In particular, he expressed concern about the possibility of a losing streak. Coach Kim explained, "Even during the nine-game winning streak, I always told the players to maintain a sense of crisis. Because once you lose, the atmosphere can sink, and it could lead directly into a losing streak."
He then vowed, "I will firmly hold things together so that the players do not lose confidence or let the atmosphere sink."
Samsung has clearly changed. Jeon Hee-cheol, head coach of SK who stopped Samsung's nine-game winning streak, also acknowledged the distinctly different appearance of Samsung compared to before.
Regarding what has changed most in Samsung, Coach Jeon said, "It seems to be the players' mindset," adding, "Head coach Kim Sang-sik does not scold his players, but he has a leadership that makes them feel they must follow. I think the players felt the head coach's sincerity and trained accordingly."
In particular, Coach Jeon focused on Samsung's changed team culture. He said, "There are many things visible now that were not seen in Samsung until last year," explaining, "Just looking at defense, players who used to not rush out to stop shots now rush out until the very end. The fact that such actions appear means they trained that way."
He continued, "Because those aspects have accumulated, I think their resilience will be very good even if they lose one game." He predicted that Samsung would not easily waver even if its winning streak is broken.
According to Coach Jeon's analysis, the upcoming game against Hyundai Mobis will be an important stage to confirm Samsung's changed team culture. During a winning streak, everything may go smoothly, but whether they can trust each other and show the same defense and concentration as before after a loss is another matter.
The opponent, Hyundai Mobis, is also going through a difficult season. Hyundai Mobis has a record of three wins and seven losses this season, sitting at the bottom of the league. Their slump has continued recently, resulting in a three-game losing streak.
In particular, consecutive injuries to foreign players are painful. Gaige Prime suffered a torn medial ligament in his left knee in a game against Changwon LG on the 22nd of last month, and Darius Bazley also suffered a torn plantar fasciitis injury in his left foot in a game against KCC on the 29th of last month. Both players are currently out of the lineup.
Samsung also has good memories of crushing Hyundai Mobis by a 20-point margin, 91-71, on the 24th of last month. However, complacency is forbidden despite the opponent's injury troubles and the previous head-to-head victory.
Coach Kim also said, "The players' confidence has changed the most."
At the same time, he emphasized, "I always have the mindset that we can lose and can go on a losing streak," adding, "The players have gained some confidence, but they still need to stay tense at all times."
Samsung wrote a new history with a nine-game winning streak at the start of the season. Now, it must shake off the shock of its first loss and show the power to win again. The game against Hyundai Mobis is expected to be the first test to prove that the nine-game winning streak was not a temporary gust but the result of true change.
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*This content was translated by AI.View Original
