Kim Young-Man ``I Miss the Court``

If an orchestra lost one of its core members after final rehearsal just before a concert, it would not be able to put on a good performance. The very Mobis Automons has fallen into such a situation.

`Mantis Shooter` Kim Young-Man (29) was put on the disabled list due to his back injury shortly before the season opening. Kim began to feel the back pain from the training camp in Australia in September, and later his back condition was aggravated by excessive practice. The physician in charge gave his opinion that Kim`s pelvic bone was a little bit deviated and caused the back pain.

Kim`s absence led the coaching staff to confusion. Since all tactical trainings and the practice games have been carried out with Kim Young-Man at the center, the coaching staff was not able to find an eligible replacement player, coupled with the lack of time to adjust to `the situation without him`.

Who is Kim Young-Man? Kim is one of the best small forwards who signed a contract of 270 million won following salary No. 1 Seo Jang-Hoon of the SK Knights (330 million won). Kim was a kind of a perfect player, possessing various offensive abilities such as accurate field shot and dauntless penetration, as well as fabulous defensive ability.

Because of the absence of Kim, the Mobis had to open this season with three straight losses, and now only recorded 0.500 winning percentage. The Mobis could not make up his absence with the replacement players such as rookie Lim Young-Hoon and Kim Jung-In who returned from the military service, and had to rely solely on the imported players for offense.

Thus, Head Coach Park Soo-Gyo is longing for nothing but Kim`s comeback with best condition.

Kim has concentrated on the rehabilitation treatment with physical therapy and sports massage thus far, and began the weight training from 13th preparing for his comeback to the court.

Kim is likely to return in the 17th game against the Wonju Sambo or the 18th game against Ulsan Dongyang. He said, ``I really have missed the court. I`m gonna play a lot harder to make up for the absence.``

Jong-Seok Kim kjs0123@donga.com