{
  "id": 7709063,
  "title": "Basketball captain says criticism brought team closer",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/basketball-captain-says-criticism-brought-team-closer",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T05:12:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/sports/20260916/basketball-captain-says-criticism-brought-team-closer"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The men's national basketball team of Korea faced mounting criticism in the weeks leading up to the Asian Games. Fans and pundits questioned whether the team, coached by Latvian Nikolajs Mazurs, had the potential to secure a podium finish in Japan. However, as the Asian Games approached, Korea began to rewrite its own narrative. Under Mazurs, the team dominated the group phase of the competition, with a notable 100-83 victory against Japan in the final match. The team then continued their winning streak by defeating Jordan 114-80 in the quarterfinals. Following the latter victory at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, Korean captain Lee Seoung-hyun commented on the team's progress. Lee stated that it took time for the team to come together and play the style of basketball that Mazurs envisioned. He added that the coach showed immense respect for the players and allowed them to execute their own skills. As a result, the team's confidence has soared. Korea entered the Asian Games in need of increased self-assurance, having lost their first three games while Mazurs was in charge.",
  "summary": "As losses piled up for the men's national basketball team in the weeks leading up to the Asian Games, so did criticism of the squad. Fans and pundits alike wondered if Korea, coached by the Latvian Nikolajs Mazurs, had what it takes to reach the podium at the Asian Games in Japan this month. With each passing game here, though, Korea has been authoring a new narrative. Mazurs' team ran the table…",
  "key_points": [
    "Korea's basketball team faced criticism before Asian Games.",
    "Captain Lee Seoung-hyun says criticism brought team closer.",
    "Team dominated group phase, won against Japan and Jordan."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The team's newfound confidence, sparked by the coach's trust in the players, has helped them overcome earlier self-doubt and criticism, allowing them to play cohesively and achieve a winning streak.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Basketball captain says criticism brought team closer",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/basketball-captain-says-criticism-brought-team-closer-7711237",
        "published": "2026-09-16T05:22:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}