Chapter 11: 2. GAP
January 21, 2012. Seoul City, South Korea. Song Pagu, Jamshil Dong. Jamshil Studen's Gym.
"Player Kim Minhyuk!"
"I'm sorry, but I won't be doing any interviews."
"I'll just ask one question! Mr. Kim Minhyuk!"
Bad times kept coming.
Reporters would exaggerate articles about the future and people would either simply laugh or cheer me on. I was expecting people to react this way, so it didn't really affect me.
"Man, this is really annoying."
Tomorrow and the day after, here at the Jamsil Student's gym there will be Taiwanese, Japanese and Chinese representative teams playing friendly matches. Amateur players below college level will be participating between 4 different teams.
The reward itself wasn't that big, but to have a national tournament in Korea was quite a big deal.
"I wanted to try playing alongside you. Why America?"
"Good question. Should I just back down now?"
The person who approached me with much friendliness was Yeonsae University Sophomore Park Hyun Oong.
He was a senior to me and he always tried to get me to play alongside him at Yeonsae. He's not a bad person but, how do I put it, he looks at everything with a negative attitude.
"By the way, do Americans really play good ball?"
"I was told they're worth playing with, but I honestly don't know for sure."
"Really? They didn't seem like a big deal when I met them at an international tournament."
I don't know about Hyung Oong, but the American team that we met in Taiwan was an NCAA Division 3 team. They didn't bring their best players, instead, they simply brought the team that fell out of the tournament in America.
With all that in mind, we barely beat them by 6 points. Even at that time, I felt America wasn't that great.
"Anyways. Hey, Jinsoo told me this. Whether it's studying or playing, they work very hard. Will that be okay for you?"
"Well, I still have to give it a shot. If I can, I don't want to overthink it."
The more I thought about it, the scarier it got.
With my attitude, it's much more helpful if I didn't think too much. The moment I think less, I can focus on new challenges and gain motivation.
"Kim Minhyuk!"
"Not again. This is so annoying."
I was in the middle of my stretches, but my coach came out of the corner and called me.
Behind him are officials in suits looking at me with smiles, as if they were happy to see me. What do they know about me to smile like that? I didn't want to, but I knew I had to leave a good impression on these guys.
"Oh man, this guy is quite brave. So, you're going to America?"
"Yes, sir."
"Why are you going down the difficult path? There's nothing for you to learn there. The KBL is extremely competitive nowadays. Look at Dong Joon and Seung Joon. Even Typhoon. They're all running in KBL."
"…"
Typhoon was a really good player.
During his high school years, he was the best player of the State of Georgia and was picked top 27 best high school player by the organization U.S.A Basketball.
He was sought after by multiple different recruiters from NCAA Division 1 teams. He was in the States for only a few days, but he came back as a completely different person.
He was the real deal.
"Anyway, good luck."
He tapped my shoulders and turned away with the other officials.
I felt a bit ashamed for deciding to take the rough road.
"Damn."
Just as my father had told me, they took the word "possibility" and use it in many different ways. I am never going to think like them.
No matter what.
++++++++++++++++++++
January 22, 2012. Seoul City, South Korea. Songpa Gu, Jamshil Dong. Jamshil Student's Gym.
1ST QUARTER 4 : 46
U-South Korea 8 VS 6 U-Taiwan
.
.
.
U-South Korea 11 VS 6 U-Taiwan
*FWEEEEEEEEEEE*
"Timeout!"
The referee pointed to Taiwan's bench-side while the spectators let out thunderous claps. I ignored it and head toward my bench.
I heard a voice as I grabbed my towel and took a seat.
"Hey! Good job! But why are you missing so much?!"
"I'm sorry!"
"Hey, hey! All of you, listen carefully!"
Making comparisons in any situation is wrong. That's because our thoughts and ideas are all different. But as I looked at my coach, I couldn't stop thinking about Dwayne.
I couldn't understand all the English, but there was a distinct difference as to what is said during a timeout.
What is most important. Or rather than saying it better, it's a matter of speaking what's on your mind.
"Hey, Kim Minhyuk!"
"?"
"Focus! You moron!"
"Sorry. I'll focus."
"Here. See now. Here we have Minhyuk. Hyun Oong. Jinyoung."
Usually, during a timeout, you're supposed to plan a defensive pattern play or create an offensive strategy.
But it was different during my short time in America. Dwayne would talk about the current pattern play. What we have been missing currently. Or he would focus on fixing the negative attitudes of his players.
He focused on bringing out the best of what everyone already has, trusting in their power and skills. He often times would come up with a witty play in important situations, but he usually encouraged his players to do the thinking.
"So, what I'm saying is, go around here when it happens again. And Jinyoung, you go here or here! Got it?"
"Yes!"
*FWEEEEEEEEE*
As the buzzer goes off, time for strategizing was over.
As I ran back on the court, my job was to screen and post-up. Since middle and high school, I didn't really play these positions and roles. But for now, I have to focus and do my best.
"Minhyuk! Screen!"
"Wait, huh? Crap!"
Damn. Is he an idiot? I already told him.
Even though the players were called out, our national team guard Jun Jinyoung was thrown off by one screen. Because of this, we were mismatched.
A 177CM tall guard versus a 202CM forward.
In this situation, the guard would usually try to break through, but I also noticed there was no space, so I tried to space out more. If it's about 2 steps away, it'll be plenty of time to block a last second jump shot.
Seeing earlier that their shoot release is slow proved to be very helpful. Observing the defensive line, I decided to keep the area under the hoop empty.
Just like the game against West Chester, I was going to gather the opponents toward the inside where it was a bit narrower.
As I expected, Taiwan player #9 guard dribbled the ball toward the left.
But, he's slow. Really slow.
"!#$!#$"
"OOOOOH!"
There wasn't a need for a help defender. As he dribbled the ball with his right hand, I was able to snatch the ball in front of him in his flustered state.
I saw Hyun Oong running swiftly and I threw the ball to him without hesitation.
As he made a quick layup point, we were now 7 points ahead.
"Nice defense!"
"One more time! Let's score one more!"
The ball was once again on Taiwan's court and they seemed to play more carefully as they started to post up. The guy that was facing me was a player named Jujin Wong that I've played with before at an international level.
Last year, he was about 198CM, but now he was about as tall as I am. We were quite acquainted with each other, enough to try to converse.
But that also meant I was used to Junin Wong's playstyle.
"!@#$!%@$!"
"%$%@$@#$!@#"
As a noisy voice was heard from Taiwan's side of the bench, a commotion began to build up in the background. Jujin Wong moved outwards, trying to position himself better.
I'm sure, there's no mistake.
"???"
I got you.
I was reading Jujin Wong like a book. As he received the ball, he released the strength in his step and slightly stepped to the side. He then started to trip over as he put all his body weight on me.
In order to prevent himself from falling, he struggled to dribble the ball, but he had no strength in such an awkward position.
Jinyoung quickly closed the gap and stole the ball while I run toward the other end of the court.
From the 3:2 situation, Jinyoung passed the ball to Hyun Oong and the ball eventually came back to me. I was in a position where I could dunk the ball.
*SLAM*
After I dunked the ball, my stomach started to burn.
People with balloons and fans stood up and waved their props as I give out high-fives to people on the bench while people applauded. That's right. This is the basketball I was used to.
*BANG*
"Dude? What's up? You're insane!"
I began to dominate the court as I blocked the opponent forward's layup.
But why?
Why am I not that happy?
'Ugh. That's because I'm a frog in the well.'
At this moment, I was not having any fun. I realized I wanted much more than what I had now.
++++++++++++++++++++++
GAME RESULTS
U-South Korea 83 VS 62 U-Taiwan
Kim Minhyuk (27 MIN 15 POINTS 2 ASSISTS 7 REBOUNDS 2 BLOCKS, 2 STEALS)
++++++++++++++++++++++
Seoul City, South Korea. Joong Goo, Shin Dang Dong.
"Give me one more plate."
"Hey, get your own food. Who do you think you are, treating your mother like that."
I have a younger sister with a big age gap.
Although she's more of a disrespectful moron than a younger sister, it couldn't be helped because I'm never in the house. We never really tried to get along too much.
"So, nothing changed?"
"Yeah, it's just not as fun."
"Basketball?"
"Yes. Hey, hey! That's mine! Why do you keep eating it?"
"Mom will make you more. Just let Minzy eat it."
I don't know if it's because of puberty, but she had a terrible temper.
What were we talking about again? Oh yeah.
"I did not have any fun today. It's just not the same."
"What can I say? Sports is all the same."
"Tsk tsk. That's because you don't play any sports. You're always stuck in the house."
"Stop nagging at me!"
It only happens a few times a month, but whenever we meet, Minzy and I argue quite a bit.
I don't know if it's because they're used to it, but our parents found a way to just ignore it all. But still, this little brat needs to be reborn. She's so spoiled because everyone let her do what she wants.
"I'm gonna smack you."
"Go away!"
Anyway, I told my father my real thoughts.
My father always wanted me to be honest with him, and when I lied to him, he'd be very strict about stopping it from happening again. I don't know if it's because of how I was raised, but people say I throw a fastball well.
That meant I'm not good at hiding my inner thoughts.
"The level of play was much lower. I know it's a given, but still. To be playing in that sort of environment… it feels like I'm a King in a small farm town by myself. I feel like there's nothing more to learn here."
"Look at how arrogant he is. Mom, see?"
I kicked my little sister's shin and she immediately ran to mom and told on me.
"Go ahead and tell, you Japanese."
"Ugh, what do I do with you?"
There's nothing wrong in acting childish with your younger sibling.
"Ugh, just hurry up and go to America!"
"I'm going to even if you don't tell me to!"
After this tournament was over, I was going back to the States.
I don't know if I'll be staying in a dorm, or if I'll need to find my own place. I don't know if I'm going to start going to school or start practice with the team. David is in the process of taking care of all the complicated work, but maybe it's because he's busy, but he hasn't contacted me in a while.
Well, I was busy as well.
"If it's too hard for you, you know you can quit any time, right?"
"Yeah. But you know, dad. And thank you, mom. I'll make sure I eat well."
As I wrapped a piece of pork with lettuce, I put it up to my lips. This is going to be the last time I can be in an environment where I'm comfortable for a very long time.
My father would always tell me that if it gets too hard for me, I can quit.
He was different from other parents who tell their children to never give up. However, my father also taught me the difference between taking a break and giving up. If you take a break, you can take a step back and see things from a wider perspective.
This was hard for me to understand, but as I grew older, it started to make much more sense.
"I promise. I will succeed."
"That's for you, Minhyuk. Don't do it for us."
"Okay."
But when I came back to Korea there was something I learned. No matter how far away I am, my family will always be with me.
Even when things seem to go poorly.
If I'm not here, Minzy has to take care of the family.
The people that I love the most. When I think of them, I can never give up. At 20 years old, another winter night in Seoul went by.
It seemed that I got sentimental for no reason, again.
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