KBL Standings
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Lee Kyu-sup celebrates Samsung
Thunders victory in the KBL finals |
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Seoul Samsung Thunders 2005-06 |
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Johnson |
Clark |
Lee |
Kang |
Seo |
Thunders Roll to Hoop Title
The
Seoul Samsung Thunders won the 2006 Korean Basketball League
champions' title, dominating Mobis Phoebus 85-79 in Tuesday's game 4 in
a sweep of the best-of-seven series.
The Phoebus squad, which recorded best record during the regular season,
was under pressure late in the second quarter when the team held the
33-26 lead. But the Thunders, runners-up during the regular season,
began to show their speed on the breaks, leaving the Phoebus to
scramble.
Thunders manager Ahn Joon-ho took out in center
Seo Jang-Hun (207-C-74), putting in another guard,
Lee Jung Suk (183-G-82). A trios of guards, Lee,
Kang Hyuk (187-G-70) and
Lee Sei Bum (180-G-74), led a Thunders' to rally to take 43-42
halftime lead.
The Thunders began to break it open with one minute left in the third,
jumping to a 70-58 advantage and seemed headed for an easy victory. But
Chris Williams of the Phoebus came alive and cut the lead to 78-76 with
3:40 to go in the final period.
Steadying themselves, the Thunders kept the pressure up with a Lee Kyu-sup's
three-pointer, his fifth in the game, which made the score 81-76 with
3:10 left.
Kang made two free throws with 18 seconds left to make it 83-76 and Lee
Kyu-sup hit a soft runner in the lane to put the victory on ice.
Right after the game, Kang was named the most valuable of player for the
entire playoffs.
The 29-year-old guard earned 40 of the 70 votes in a journalists'
ballot, beating teammates Lee Kyu-sup who received 17 and Seo, all-star
and regular season MVP, who garnered 10 votes.
``I am almost choking,'' Kang told reporters after the game. "So happy
for being at the center of the team's championship victory. I want to
thank the manager and teammates, especially
Seo Jang-Hun (207-C-74), who always cheered me up.''
Kang led the Thunders offense during seven playoff matches, averaging 15
points, 1.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists average.
In the final game, Thunders center Olumide Oyedeji of Nigeria led his
team's scoring with 30 points and was the top rebounder with 13. Lee Kyu-sup
had 23 points, including five three-pointers.
American Williams led the Phoebus with 40 points and had eight rebounds.
Guard Yang Dong-geun added 15 points.
With the 3-0 victories in the playoff semifinals against the Taegu
Orions, the Thunders set the record in a decade-long KBL history as a
first team to sweep all playoff games.
This is the second time the Thunders have taken the championship trophy.
They won it 2001.
The Phoebus advanced to the final series by beating the KCC Egis 3-1 in
the semifinals, marking the first time the team has reached since its
creation in 2001.
Courtesy of The Korean Times
The All Star Game 2006
Magic Team: Lee
Sang-min, Joo Hee-jung, Kang Hyuk, Lim Jae-hyun, Choo Seung-kyun,
Charles Minlend, Lee Kyu-sup, Bang Sung-yoon, Dontae Jones, Seo Jang-hoon,
Olumide Oyedeji, Andre Brown, players from the Egis, Samsung Thunders,
SK Knights, ET Land Black Slamer, and KT&G Kites.
Dream Team: Kim Seung Hyun, Yang Dong-geun, Hwang Sung-in, Shin
Ki-sung, Woo Ji-won, Chris Williams, Kim Joo-sung, Hyun Joo-yup, Yang
Kyung-min, Lee Benson, Nigel Dixon, Lee Chang-soo, players from the
Orions, Dongbu Promy, Mobis Phoebus, LG Sakers, and KTF Magic Wings.
