Moon Kyung-eun’s Two-Pointers Were Worth It

Moon Kyung-eun (ET Land Black Slammer) has changed.

Whenever he would get possession of the ball, Moon would shoot a three-pointer. That is why he was awarded the best three-point shooter three times. However, his “do or die” play has often led people to criticizing his style and as a result, he has changed this season.

ET Land played against KCC for the 2003-2004 Anycall Professional Basketball Season on November 2 in Bu-chon Shi, Kyung-ki Province. Out of the 27 points Moon added to the scoreboard, only one of them was a three-pointer, finishing with 10 field goals.

Moon recorded 483 three-pointers and 251 field goals (the number of three-pointers is almost double the number of field goals) in 54 games last season. Moon’s statistics showed that he was averaging eight three-pointers and 4.6 field goals per game. However, out of the five games played this season, Moon has recorded 33 field-goals (6.6 per game) and only 24 three-pointers (4.8 per game).

“I have decided to change. I have realized that shooting three-point field-goals just because I play a trouble-solving role in the team can have a negative effect on the entire team if it is unsuccessful. Therefore, I have decided to play a more economic style of basketball.”

On the day against KCC, Moon’s free-throw percentage was 83 percent. Keeping in mind his three-point field goal percentage last season was 39.1 percent, there is no question that Moon is playing a more economic style of basketball.

Moon has also changed in another way; he is now active on defense and rebounding. Until last season, Moon’s playing style was considered to be “half basketball” because it seemed as if all that he knew was how to shoot. However, Moon is showing an aggressive playing style, moving back and out from the post and playing defense as well. As a result, Moon has had more chances to get rebounds. It seems as if Moon has finally opened his eyes to “complete basketball.”

After losing their first game of the season to TG, ET Land had four consecutive wins. During this winning streak, Moon has played a crucial role. Moon is the oldest veteran on the team and is the captain this season. Therefore, it is important for Moon to play for the team rather than concentrate on his records.

Moon’s new pledge shows ET Land’s new team attitude. When the team used to be called the SK Bigs, the players would get tired even before the game due to rumors of the club being sold. However, after ET Land successfully bought the team, the players have found a new peace of mind.

Head Coach Yoo Jae-hak stated with confidence, “There is good chemical combination amongst the players. Due to the current winning streak, the players have built the confidence to play against any team.”

Moon has received help in leading the team to victory from the number one scorer in the league, Albert White who is scoring 28.6 points per game. White’s ability to knock in field goals and his one-on-one skill forces the other team to concentrate their defense on White, thus giving Moon a bigger and more open area for him to perform.

Won-Hong Lee bluesky@donga.com