Kim Jong-kyu was still the best in a national team uniform.
The South Korean men's national basketball team, led by head coach Chu Il-seung, cruised to a 40-point victory, 95-55, in the first game of Group D of the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games men's basketball tournament against Indonesia at the Zhejiang Gimnazium in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, on Saturday (Feb. 26).
A 20-point, 7-assist performance from ace Heo Hoon gave us something to smile about. Add to that the reassuring presence of Kim Jong-kyu, who was in full "Kim Jong-kyu" mode, and Korea got off to a great start.
Kim Jong-kyu had 19 points, nine rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocked shots against Indonesia. With Ha Yun-ki sidelined with a mild ankle soreness, he, along with Lee Seung-hyun and Ragan-ah, were the mainstays of the Korean defense.
Kim Jong-kyu's presence was exceptional. He had a great dunk with Heo Hoon. Indonesia, with their overall lack of height, couldn't even think of a way to stop Kim Jong-gyu from attacking the rim. It was a game where we saw all the things we know about Kim Jong-kyu, such as aggressive movement and finding space to score.
Especially when it comes to the Asian Games, there's no doubting Jong-gyu. Nine years ago, he was the hero at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, pinning down the 'King of Asia' Hameed Haddadi to bring home a gold medal 12 years after the 2002 Busan Asian Games. Now, he's back in Hangzhou.
There is no one more reliable than Kim Jong-kyu when wearing the national colors. He was more dedicated to the Taeguk-mark than any other active player and always played in international competitions unless there was a major injury. His recent struggles in the league have left him underrated, but the national team is a different story.
"I felt sorry for everyone," said Kim Jong-kyu, recalling the 2018 Asian Games in Palembang, Jakarta, which he missed due to ankle surgery five years ago. It was a statement that showed how he views the flag and how much patriotism he has.
There would be no place for Kim Jong-kyu if Oh had not retired from the national team. For a player who has served the national team for so long, it's bound to hurt his pride. However, Jong-gyu's mindset was different.
"Nine years ago in Incheon, as the youngest player, I was able to get opportunities with the help of my older brothers," Jong-gyu said in a pre-tournament interview. Now, I want to play that role and show a good performance." And he kept his promise.
Kim Jong-kyu's performance could be a big inspiration for Ha Yun-ki. After all, if Hangzhou is to win its first away gold medal in 41 years, Ha Yun-ki will need a big 먹튀검증 boost. Just as Kim Joo-sung did for Kim Jong-kyu nine years ago, Kim Jong-kyu is another inspiration for Ha Yun-ki this year.
But Jong-gyu has one more promise to keep. "I want (Kim) Sun-hyung to do something fun with my brother, which is a second gold medal," he said. Unlike in the past, this year's Asian Games saw a significant drop in the strength of the competing nations. South Korea has also struggled with poor support and conditions to get to this point. The day Kim Jong-kyu fulfills his promise, South Korea will make history for the first time in 41 years. Let's hope he keeps his promise.
