Heo Hoon’s resolute statement on ‘Hard Call’: “As my scores have decreased and my condition has deteriorated, I have a lot of worries and difficulties as a player.” [KBL]

The match between KT and Sono was a bloody one. It was such ‘swamp basketball’ that no team scored more than 70 points. Just as KT did to Lee Jeong-hyun, Sono also did everything he could to stop Heo Hoon. It was difficult for both Lee Jeong-hyun and Heo Hoon to play normally due to a defense based on rough physical combat.

Heo Hoon poured out everything he was frustrated with when asked about hard calls. He said, “I wonder if this is right. I don’t really understand the purpose of the hard call. You will know when you watch this game. I think I fouled, but it doesn’t blow. There are times when I feel good inside. However, if you ask for a foul challenge, it will be called a foul. Isn’t that a soft call? If you protest, it is a technical foul. Scoring ability decreases and physical condition deteriorates. “We are trying to overcome it with technology, but it is not easy,” he said.

He said, “Compared to other countries, the culture itself is different from a young age. Of course, I like hard calls. I don’t hate tough basketball. Rather, I like it. However, when I try to shoot, my body pushes me and I wonder how I can overcome it. “It will be good for players with strong defense,” he said, adding, “There are many worries and difficulties as a player about how to adapt.”

This season, which has become a ‘hard call’, the overall scoring ability has dropped significantly. Now that 52 games have been played, the average score in KBL is 76.7 points. After recording 79.4 points in the 2019-20 season, it has remained in the 70s for the first time in five years.

The field goal success rate of 42.8% is the lowest based on 52 games since the launch of KBL in 1997. To that extent, the current KBL can be said to be in the era of ‘swamp basketball.’

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Heo Hoon said, “If the tempo is fast, it can be said to be fun basketball or good basketball, but no fouls are called. Looking at it now, most of the average scores are in the 70s and the field goal success rate is dropping. As you try to overcome it, your perspective narrows and you end up playing unreasonably. Who can tell a story like this? It’s hard for directors to do it, and Choi Jun-yong isn’t there (laughs). “I think someone needs to come forward and talk about this,” he said.

He continued, “There is something that needs to be pointed out calmly. You can pay a fine, but I think we need to make this clear. “There are very few players who have the courage to say that.”

Heo Hoon was not unconditionally critical of ‘Hard Call’. Although he reacted positively to the ‘hard call’, he had great regrets about the standards.

Heo Hoon said, “The hard call itself is good. But I have a question. It was a soft call for an EASL match. I was really surprised. They say other games are fought to the point of blood, but I’m not sure. “Right now, even guys like (Dionte) Button are just getting annoyed.”

Heo Hoon had a ‘hard call’ for improvement and a strong will. He said, “I want the players to listen to what they have to say. Pushing too hard. Isn’t it possible to listen to the players’ opinions as well? I met (Lee) Jeonghyeon earlier and she said it was very difficult. “We also have to adapt to hard calls, but there are definitely areas that need improvement,” he said. “In the end, aren’t our players playing and taking responsibility for the results? We also get cursed. Consistency in judgment is good. “But the standards themselves are too hard,” he said, expressing regret.

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[민준구 MK스포츠 기자]