Profiling some of the KBL's finest

Tuesday night I went to a Korean Basketball game. Hilarious. The Busan KT Sonicboom was heavily out matched by the Kwangju what’s-their-names. The teams are not entirely Korean, one "import" is allowed on the floor per team. These are the make or break players. The Sonicboom's starting import was the Dustin Byfuglien of the KBL. Ironically sporting number 23, he moseyed up and down the court, making horrible passes, and shooting bricks the entire game. Then there was my favourite Korean in the history of Asia. This guy was a complete joke. No skills, cement shoes, and a hair cut from a lawnmower. To conceal this last downfall he wore a white headband to contrast against his black hair and a neck-collar. It looked like a neck brace, which would explain why he sauntered up and down the court staying in the same spot on offence and doing much of the same on defence. On some of the opposition’s breakouts this guy didn’t make it to centre by the time Kwangju got a basket.

On the opposite side of the court, and spectrum, Kwangju had a winner on their side. I find the best skill a player can have is the ability to create scoring opportunities one on one and 41 did every time. Driving, pulling up, and dishing it off for an easy in, he did it all. He controlled the tempo at the 4-spot and lit up the stadium. It was like watching LBJ playing against high school kids. Sad really. 41 put up a quarter of his teams points like it was nothing. The final score was 82-71 for Kwangju who was up by 15 for most of the second half. I was surprised how much scoring there was but I feel the court was not as big as an NBA court.

The atmosphere was lots of fun. Typical Korean rules, BYOB and F (for food). Tragically, the HomePlus beside the stadium did not sell cold beer. Regardless, the beers were only 3,000 won and they were worth it: the stadium is a sauna. During commercial breaks the entertainment was very good: obstacle races, garbage can curling, cheerleaders, a rock paper scissors type game, child-friendly mascots and, of course, giveaways. All of which were done in 2 minutes or less apart from the half time show, which was twelve.  Lots of fun, I'd do it again, just to chirp the guy who cuts his own and can’t run.

It just goes to show, even when your home team sucks (Raptors or Leafs), you have to find something to cheer about.