After the end of the last season, Samsung appointed Kim Hyo-beom, who has shown promise as acting coach. Kim Bo-hyun, Choi Soo-hyun and Kim Tae-kyung were appointed as coaches to assist Kim. Among them, Kim Tae-kyung is an unfamiliar name.
After graduating from Illinois University, Kim Tae-kyung studied basketball history for the women’s basketball teams of the NCAA Gonzaga University and Duke University. She also analyzed history for the Korean men’s and women’s basketball teams. After being recognized for her performance in the U.S., Kim decided to start anew as a leader at Samsung after being invited by coach Kim Hyo-beom.
Coach Kim Tae-kyung said, “I have been close to manager Kim Hyo-beom for quite a long time. We have been in contact since he was in the NBA G League. While at Duke University for a long time, I thought about changing jobs. Because I wanted to coach. I was looking for where I could go, and manager Kim Hyo-beom contacted me. The male professional team coach thought it was worth the challenge, so he made the decision without much thought. Coach Kim Hyo-beom was the biggest presence. Without the coach, I might not have come to Korea.” 파워볼실시간
Currently, Samsung is conducting systematic training by position. Choi Soo-hyun, Kim Bo-hyun, and Shooter and Forward, and Coach Kim Tae-kyung are in charge of the center. Foreign players Kofi Coburn and Marcus Derrickson will also be in charge of the center. Kim teaches players based on his experience through power analysis.
“As I can speak English and a foreign player is the center, I think I naturally took over the role. I am trying to teach with a clear direction. I am preparing now for the season. It is important to acquire skills that can be used in practice through training. I also have to pay attention to shooting,” said coach Kim Tae-kyung.
“As I am used to English, when I am in a hurry, English comes out instead of Korean. No matter how well I try to explain in Korean, there are times when players don’t understand me. And I get in a hurry without realizing it. When I was analyzing my players’ abilities, I thought why I was in such a hurry, but now that I became a coach, I think I know how I feel. There are so many things that I can’t control myself,” he said.
Non-elected leaders are common overseas. However, Korea is different. There are still bad views and prejudices against non-elected leaders. If coach Kim Tae-kyung shows his ability at Samsung, he can break the prejudice against non-elected leaders.
In response, Kim Tae-kyung said, “I thought it was something I had to overcome from the U.S.A. Non-elected Asian men are the worst condition. As a result, I felt it a lot and became dull. When I came to Samsung, I felt calm because I naturally thought about it. Fortunately, the players followed along so well. I expected that I would have some difficulties, and I will try my best at what I have to do.”
Having been at the bottom for three consecutive seasons, Samsung is aiming to regain its self-esteem this season. It has formed a new coaching staff and enhanced its capacity by recruiting Lee Dae-sung, Choi Hyun-min, and Choi St. Mary’s from the free agent market. If Samsung makes solid preparations for the offseason, it will be able to overcome its image as a weak team and watch the playoffs for the first time in a long time.
Coach Kim Tae-kyung said, “I was always underdog. I came to Samsung thinking I was underdog again this time. I am confident that I will be able to surprise you if I show you what I prepared during the analysis. I also have a lot of trust in the coach. Objectively, it’s a gamble, but I have confidence in myself. If I prepare thoroughly during the offseason, I think I will be able to do well.”