Even though the shooting probability is bad, it is evenly matched with the United States
Before the Tokyo Olympics, the Japan Women’s Basketball National Team has only participated in the Olympics four times, and even after 2000, it has only been twice. Last time Rio finished 8th and finished 9th in the 2018 World Cup. Always aiming for the top as a top-level athlete may be one way to go. Even so, it is undeniable that the commander of such a team can’t help saying that “the goal is a gold medal at the Olympics”, even if it seems to be a boast.
However, it was proved in the second match of the group league against the United States on July 30 that the thought of the gold medal that Tom Hovasse, the head coach of Japan Women’s National Team, has been saying is not a dream story. Japan lost 69-86 in this match, but took the lead in the first quarter and kept behind at around 10 points until the middle of the fourth quarter, falling to the absolute queen who has won the Olympics for the sixth consecutive time.
It should be noted that it was possible in a situation where the shooting probability was poor. Shooting is water, and sometimes the odds are very good, and vice versa, basketball. It is not uncommon to bring a team with a higher ability to a close battle by deciding a shot with a higher probability than usual, but this time Japan succeeded in 10 out of 38 3-point shots, which is an offense weapon, with a success rate of only 26.3%. It was completely unexploded. Still, there is a big meaning in the fact that it afflicted the champion.
“The start of the first quarter wasn’t good. I don’t like the US playing at our pace, but it was a response. I fought well in the low post and took some turnovers. But some I couldn’t make many shots such as a simple layup. “
At the press conference, Hobus, who summarized the match in this way, said, “I learned that the defense worked well and that I could create shooting opportunities in several ways,” he said. I realize once again that I cannot beat the United States.
“If I had another match with the United States, it would be difficult if I didn’t get a 3-point shot of 40% or more. I had a fairly normal shot at the offense, so I have to decide.”
However, it is clear from the past three-point shot success rates of the national team players that this 40% or more is not an impossible number. And through this match, I became more aware that the United States was never out of reach.
“Since Rio, we’ve made a lot of improvements and the team’s standards, self-confidence and beliefs have risen. If we can stick to our style, we can win here. We didn’t win today. But that doesn’t mean you can’t win the next match. “
“I want to make Japanese offense the world’s gold standard”
Hobus continued, “I lost to Australia in the group league in the 2017 Asian Cup, but Japan won in the final. I want to do that.” This loss can be a valuable lesson for revenge. I believe.
Japan in this match showed that height is an overwhelming advantage in basketball, but not absolute. The appearance of Rui Machida dodging the American Brittney Griner, who is 40 cm taller than himself, and cutting under the goal, toying with the opponent’s defense, excited many people and showed new possibilities. That’s why I now remember the determination Hobus said shortly after finishing the final qualifying for the Olympics in February 2020.
“Unlike boys, I feel that many girls in WNBA and Europe are still playing center-centered basketball. However, in Japan, basketball centered on large centers cannot compete with the world. We are speedy. We will fight with an emphasis on performance, quick rotation, and ball movement. “
“Two people can set up with penetrate and all five can shoot from the outside. This style has great potential and I think it’s interesting to see the customers. The current Japanese offense is the world. I want to make it the gold standard of
Japan needs to win in order for the style created by Hobus to be recognized in the world as a new innovation. First of all, the minimum requirement is to win the final round of the group league against Nigeria and advance to the final tournament, but if Japan can play the usual basketball, it can be achieved.
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