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Men’s Basketball Team to Challenge World Cup 2023, Commander Tom Horvath’s Determination (Part 2) “I’m Confident I Can Play Special Basketball” – Basket Count | Basket Count

In 2023, the biggest event for the Japanese basketball world is the FIBA ​​World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Japan (Okinawa), the Philippines, and Indonesia in the summer. The goal is to reach the top spot in Asia and qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The head of the national team is Tom Horvath. Not only Japan but also the world’s basketball world is paying attention to whether the famous coach who led the women’s national team to a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics can surprise the men again. We interviewed Horvath, who is returning to the United States (mid-December) and is undoubtedly at the center of the Japanese basketball world this year, about his enthusiasm for the big stage in an online interview.

“It is necessary for Yuta and Rui to adjust to the current Japanese style.”

──The lottery for the World Cup will be held on April 29th, but it was decided that the Slovenian national team will come to Okinawa a little earlier. There is a possibility that it will be in the same group as Japan.

If we were to be in the same group as Slovenia, there would be no specs, we would have no choice but to do it. However, when I went to watch the Timberwolves practice, I talked to the coaching staff and asked about Doncic. Also on the Wolves staff is Pablo Prigioni, the head coach of the Argentina national team. I talked to him a lot and he seems to want to play against Japan.

──In order for the Japanese national team to reach the top of Asia, which is their goal at the World Cup, a big key will be whether they can win against European teams. How did you feel when you saw EuroBasket last summer?

Europe’s strengths are team basketball and physical strength, and it’s interesting to watch. I want to practice with European teams before the World Cup. To win against the Europeans, you have to play faster and do the little things better. I’m going to decide a 3-point shoot with a good probability. It’s the only way to win.

──In EuroBasket, Doncic’s Slovenia national team, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Greek national team, and Nikola Jokic’s Serbian national team were all eliminated in the top 8, and like the Spanish national team that won the championship, the nations that compete as a team ranked high. Watanabe and Hachimura are outstanding players in the Japanese national team, but what kind of style do you have in mind?

It is necessary for Yuta and Yamura to adjust to the current Japanese style. I have no intention of creating a style to suit them after they join.

──When Tom was a member of the women’s national team, he actively incorporated NBA tactics, which are rare for women, and developed small balls to excite the world. Do you refer to the NBA in the same way for men?

A popular formation in the NBA right now is the double high screen. The women’s national team used it a lot at the Tokyo Olympics. The Wolves coach also said that the NBA is doing only switching defense, so this screen is quite effective. Not only NBA, NCAA basketball and Japan national team basketball are similar. There are things that I refer to, such as detailed plays of the NCAA.

Tom Horvath

“I really like the challenge of overturning the low ratings around me.”

──In 2022, you will have more time to spend with the players on the national team. Compared to when I played for the women’s national team, I get the impression that they have become softer than before, such as their attitude towards players who made mistakes during the match. Are you aware that the way men and women treat each other differently?

The relationship with the players has deepened, the atmosphere in the team is good, and everyone is hungry and playing good basketball. I think we can do better. I could have been nicer in my approach. After the Tokyo Olympics, I changed a little too.

However, there are of course times when you need to be careful, such as when you make a mistake many times. On the other hand, the boys have a lot of league games, so everyone feels tired when the training camp starts. So I want to create a positive atmosphere first. It’s not good to always be careful, and I want to play fun basketball. The approach to players changes every year. Ten years ago it was tougher. Maybe it’s because I’ve adjusted to the times, or because I’m getting older.

──What kind of basketball will Tom, who made the world excited at the Tokyo Olympics, show in the men’s national team? A lot of people are watching.

I think more than half of the people think that the Japanese national team is not going well. But I like to think that way. we will do I really like the challenge of overturning the low evaluations of those around me, so I will skillfully create a team and play good basketball.

──This is the last question. Do you have the confidence to make a surprise just like the Tokyo Olympics?

There are so many. I’m really looking forward to Yuta, Hachimura, and Baba playing in this system. In order to make a good team, it is important to create an environment where everyone can play positively, such as energy and atmosphere, not just tactics. The women’s national team played with the same thoughts and feelings. The style of the match is important, but more than anything else, it is important to create a united team. I am confident that everyone will be able to enter the style of the Japan national team and play a special basketball.

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