Ha Seung-jin Gets Two Assists in Eight Seconds

Ha Seung-jin (20, 223cm,•Portland Trail Blazers) recorded his first assist in the American NBA.

Ha Seung-jin collected two assists after entering a 2004-2005 pro basketball season game against the New York Knicks at New York’s Madison Square Garden on January 10 with 1:45 left on the clock. He also recorded a failed shot attempt and picked up one foul.

His second game since the match against the Miami Heat on January 8, Ha Seung-jin’s playing time was short, but his activity forecasts a bright future.

Ha Seung-jin entered the game as the team was falling behind by a score of 95-109, replacing forward Zach Randolph (24, 206cm). Ha played an aggressive game, attempting an unsuccessful hook shoot under the basket with 1:10 left before the end of the game, and committed a foul against Nazr Mohammed (28, 208cm) 18 seconds before the end. In his debut on January 8, Ha did not have the chance to touch the ball.

Ha Seung-jin recorded his first assist off of a three-point shot from his teammate Richie Frahm (28, 196cm) with 10 seconds on the clock, and his second off of a two-point shot from Travis Outlaw (21, 206cm) two seconds before the end of regulation.

Though Ha is the tallest center on the team, Portland coach Maurice Cheeks allotted the newcomer to the forward position instead. It seems to be a move made to allow Ha time to adjust to the game and gain experience.

Portland failed to match up against New York’s Allan Houston (34, 198cm, 25 points) and Mohammed (18 points, 6 rebounds) and extended its losing streak to four games by a score of 105-113.

Ha Seung-jin is scheduled to play in his third game against the Philadelphia 76ers (starring “The Answer” Allen Iverson) on January 11.

Won-Hong Lee bluesky@donga.com