“I’m Alive”

Have you seen eyes of Kang Dong-hee (36. LG Sakers) in basketball court this season?

His eyes looked docile till the last season. However, this season they look different. There is noxiousness in his eyes instead of kindness. In particular, his eyes shined in a creep in two games against his former home team, Mobis Automons. What could have changed him like this?

Kang Dong-hee, who is second senior among basketball players after Heo Jae (37. TG Xers), is a star player who was called as the best point guard in Korean basketball history.

He led Joongang Univ to the top by his brilliant dribbling, assistance and 3 points shot and Amateur team Kia and Pro Kia (the present Mobis) won due to Kang Dong-hee.

As the MVP in the first year of pro-team, he was selected five times for the best player and four times for the best assistance during six seasons till last year.

Kang Dong-hee was proud of ‘everlasting Kia man’ all the time. He was the best player until he made contract with Mobis as freelance player last season in 2 billion 50 million won for three years. However, everything has changed this season. Coach Choi Hee-am, who came to the team newly this spring, suggested annual salary of 1 billion 50 million won which is a cut of 1 billion won.

“My face becomes red whenever I remember that moment. It was the matter of my pride. ”

Finally, Kang Dong-hee left the team with Kim Young-man (SK nights) who was facing the same situation like him. He was happy to play basketball when Samsung Thunders contacted him for joining team. However, its final notice left a more deeper wound to him. It said that it couldn’t recruit him, as he was too old.

He wore LG uniform after agreeing to a annual salary of 1 billion 70 million won, this June and promised himself that ‘if I can’t be the best point guard, I will leave court immediately.’

The first thing what he should have done was to lose his weight that was above 100kg. He reduced his weight to 89kgs by running and weight training everyday. As his body became light, his previous skill revived.

He took the team to top co-second grade, recording 11 assistance in the game with Korea tender on 8th and even recorded 15 assistance in the game with SK nights, which was the maximum number in a game, on 24th last month.

He gave his utmost effort in the game with Mobis, which kicked him away. He recorded 16 assistances and scored 27 points in two games against Mobis.

“I wanted to show that Kang Dong-hee is not over yet. That is the reason why I am sill in court despite such insult. ”

Winter court is hotter due to a veteran general Kang Dong-hee.

Chang Jeon jeon@donga.com