"I deliberately raised my voice even when we were winning": The reason behind Coach Kim Sang-sik's gentle demeanor giving way to a loud shout... "First place? We are always in crisis" [Wonju on-site report]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"I deliberately raise my voice even more when we are winning."

These were the words of Coach Kim Sang-sik, who is leading Seoul Samsung to a solo lead in the league standings. While Coach Kim has long been known as a gentle leader, this season he is instead delivering stronger messages to his players. This stems from his belief that even after securing 10 wins, the team can collapse at any moment if it lets its guard down.

Samsung, led by Coach Kim Sang-sik, suffered an 84-76 comeback loss in its away matchup against Wonju DB on the 7th at the Wonju DB Promia Arena in the 2026~2027 KCC Pro Basketball League. With this result, Samsung has recorded a 10-win, 2-loss record. It remains in sole first place in the league.

This season, Samsung is creating a surprising surge. The team wrote new history by achieving a nine-game winning streak to open the season, a first in KBL history. Although its winning streak was snapped with a loss to "rival" Seoul SK on the 1st, it quickly reversed momentum by defeating Ulsan Hyundai Mobis in its most recent game.

The achievement is all the more remarkable given that Samsung had remained in the lower half of the standings through last season. Naturally, expectations and interest in the team have grown.

However, Coach Kim Sang-sik is instead tightening the strings of tension even further. He goes so far as to deliberately deliver strong messages to his players.

Ahead of the game, Coach Kim stated, "After the loss to SK, I could have said, 'It's okay, we can do it again,' but instead, I spoke a bit more strongly."

Explaining the reason, he said, "If we are not careful, we could collapse completely again. That is because for the past five years, that has been our pattern," adding, "So I deliberately spoke a little more strongly."

Coach Kim also shared his candid feelings about the attention Samsung is currently receiving. He noted, "In fact, we were a team where it would not be strange to win a few games and then fall into a losing streak, or even to have just one win. But because we have reached 10 wins, interest has increased," adding, "I hear a lot of talk about how we cannot afford to go on a losing streak. It feels good, but as the coach, it becomes an enormous burden."

He added, "We are in first place, but we are still a team where it would not be strange if we went on a losing streak. However, the way people look at us has changed now. I feel both pleased by the interest and burdened by it."

This does not mean he undervalues the achievements of his players. This season, Samsung has also benefited from favorable circumstances, such as injuries to opposing teams' foreign players. However, Coach Kim has made efforts to instill confidence in his players that their current record is a result they have earned themselves.

Coach Kim conveyed, "I tell the players that we did not win because an opponent was missing, but because you played well," adding, "I emphasize that we won by coming together as one, not because one opposing player was absent."

Indeed, SK Coach Jeon Hee-cheol also acknowledged that Samsung has changed this season. DB Coach Lee Gyu-seop, who secured a victory in the game, also highly evaluated Samsung's strength.

However, Coach Kim Sang-sik rarely allows complacency. On the court as well, he is pressing his players more strongly than before. This is why he raises his voice even when the score gap is large.

Coach Kim explained, "Because we can collapse at any moment if we lose focus for a second, I keep speaking strongly," adding, "Right now, instead of being gentle, I speak strongly even when we are winning."

He further revealed, "Even when leading by 20 points, I deliberately raise my voice more because I am worried about collapsing in the final fourth quarter. I shout until my head spins; it seems like I do it to keep myself focused as well."

Coincidentally, the situation Coach Kim had feared unfolded in this game. Samsung led 67-59 through the third quarter, appearing to have secured the advantage. However, they managed only nine points in the final fourth quarter. Meanwhile, they allowed DB to score 25 points, ultimately suffering a comeback loss.

After the game, rather than blaming his players, Coach Kim looked inward first. He self-criticized, saying, "I think I need to reflect on myself first. Even though we were winning, it seemed like we were running away out of anxiety, and we lacked confidence. That seems to have been the biggest problem."

He added, "We know that just because we have 10 wins, we are not a team that can be complacent. I need to steady my mind first, and it seems our players also need to mentally prepare themselves."

What Coach Kim repeatedly emphasized was ultimately the basics. He stressed, "We are not a team that thinks, 'Of course we will win,' just because we have 10 wins. Whether we win many games or lose, we must fight tenaciously," adding, "Games like this will come up again in the future, but I believe it is right to keep talking and return to our original hardworking form."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original