Kim Min-Koo and Kim Jong-Kyu rule the KBL one day. Imagine that.
The two man game is a thing of beauty. Two players read each other almost by instinct. It translates to fluidity and is the basis of several 1-2 punches in basketball history. For Korea, the dynamic duo term is perfect for Kyung-Hee’s Kim Jong-Kyu, a center and Kim Min-Koo, a swingman. Both, alongside a stellar supporting cast had made Kyung-Hee continue into a basketball power.
You have Kim Jong-Kyu, a not so ordinary center. 6’10 with a lean and still developing frame, plays quick for his size and has the surprising shooting depth that you won’t expect. Kim Min-Koo a versatile swing that plays both guard and small forward. Ball hawking in defense and is already one of the best slashers in Asia.
You blend those two parallel positions and skills, then you get a 1-2 punch that spells trouble for the defenses. How many times have we seen Kim JK set a screen for Kim MK, only for Kim MK to draw two defenders and leave Kim JK with a wide open trey? Classic Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki right there.
At times, Kim JK spots up from the baseline, only to hit a cutting Kim MK for a quick layup. That’s a bit of Lew Alcindor to Oscar Robertson as we speak.
But both are not limited to the one two game, they make teammates better and that make their 1-2 punch magnified by ten fold. Those two are among the most unselfish stars you’ll see in the Korean college hoops. Kim Min Koo averaging better than 6 rebounds and 6 assists is no coincidence, a chunk like three assists per game goes to Kim Jong-Kyu as a recepient. Kim JK returns that favor by posting up and drawing a double team that leaves a free lane into the basket for a nice and easy layup. Choi Bo-Kyoung, their coach ranks both as one of the best players he has ever coach. Ask him and he’ll quickly tell you that Korea’s center and off-guard are in good hands. He is not being biased, both Kims are upcoming stars with a lot of potential to grow in the KBL and in the FIBA Asia scene.
Kim Jong-Kyu has been considered for the national team since 2010. Made it into the senior squad that finished third in the 2011 FIBA Asia tournament in WuHan. Kim displayed an emerging game of face up and running the floor from which was never seen in a bigman. Kim Joo-Sung never ran like that. Kim Jong-Kyu stated that playing for the National team and facing the rest of what Asia has to offer is an eye opener. He needs to get stronger and get accustomed into defending the paint against bigger players who are stronger and tougher than what he faces in college hoops or in the KBL. For the 2012 Olympic wildcards in Venezuela last year, Kim Jong-Kyu was again enlisted alongside Kim Min-Koo. Although Kim Min-Koo will be cut due to an injury, Kim JK went on to play against Venezuela in an exhibition game then proceed to the tournament against Russia and the Dominican Republic. Korea went winless, but Kim Jong-Kyu found it another eye opener on how strong the competition is out in the west. Kim Min-Koo would have gained more for his development had he not been injured, but on a roster filled with veteran guards and what the KBL can offer in Kim Sun-Hyung and Park Chan-Hee, there will be doubt had Kim Min-Koo made the cut for the twelve man.
Both worked tremendously from 2012 into early 2013. Kim JK has grown stronger while Kim MK is sharper and more athletic at this point. When Choi Bu-Kyong was named the head coach of the national team that was to compete in the 2013 East Asian Basketball qualifying tournament, it was automatic that both Kims will be included. Coach Choi was not playing favorites, he knows that both are a huge part of the national team’s future alongside Korea University’s Lee Jong-Hyun and Lee Seung-Hyun. Choi was not counting on the 1-2 punch of the Kims, he wanted both to lead a disciplined team to fend off rivals Japan, Chinese Taipei and China.
Result was Kim Jong-Kyu enjoying a very brilliant tournament where he worked with rival Lee Jong-Hyun in a partnership to play the center spot. In the later part of the tournament, both would be fielded simultaneously to form Korea’s twin tower of defense. Both combined for 7 blocks per game, that changed the game alot. Kim Min-Koo, not to be outdone by veteran swingmen like Heo Il-Young, saved the best for last, a versatile showcase against China in the gold medal game. Kim showed slashing, shooting, rebounding, defense and passing to help Korea win gold. Kim was not playing to prove himself, he was playing to make his teammates better.
After the East Asian tournament, Yoo Jae-Hak could not miss to add both. Kim Jong-Kyu will be a mainstay for years to come. Same with Kim Min-Koo, who is looking to be among the premiere swingmen as the likes of Kang Byung-Hyun and Heo Il-Young are aging. Yoo was not enlisting Kyung-Hee’s 1-2 punch, he was enlisting two vital players for the national team who are ripe for stardom.
As for College rivals, they can breathe easier as both will be in the KBL soon enough. They may play against one another in opposing teams someday, but the chemistry will always be there. So to a KBL team out there, make it happen. Make the trade to draft them both.
Sakerland 