NBA Legend Advises Yamada: ‘Get Stronger’ as Tokyo’s Rising Star Faces Next Challenge
Former NBA player Kiyoshi Yamanaka, now head coach of the Tokyo Hachioji Fighting Eagles, has publicly urged teammate Yamada Ryotaro to ‘get stronger’ in a recent training session, according to team sources. The advice comes as Tokyo, currently ranked 10th in the B.League, prepares for a pivotal four-game series against the Sapporo Beavers starting April 12. Yamada, a 203cm center averaging 14.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, has been Tokyo’s primary offensive anchor but has faced criticism for inconsistent defensive positioning.
Why This Moment Matters for Tokyo’s Playoff Hopes
The B.League’s top eight teams qualify for the playoffs, and Tokyo sits just three wins behind the eighth seed, the Chiba Jets. With the series against Sapporo carrying a win-or-go-home implication for Tokyo’s postseason aspirations, Yamanaka’s coaching advice takes on added weight.
Yamanaka, who played 11 seasons in the NBA (including stints with the Denver Nuggets and Washington Wizards) before returning to Japan, has been vocal about his expectations for Tokyo’s roster. “In the NBA, physicality decides games,” Yamanaka told reporters during a closed-door team meeting. “Yamada has the skill, but he needs to match that with strength—especially against Sapporo’s frontcourt.”
How Tokyo’s Struggles Compare to Last Season’s Playoff Miss
Tokyo finished the 2022-23 season with a 24-36 record, missing the playoffs by two wins—a repeat of their 2021-22 campaign. This season, however, they’ve shown improved consistency, thanks in part to Yamada’s scoring (ranked 12th in the league) and the emergence of guard Daiki Ishikawa (16.4 PPG).
Key statistical contrast:
- 2022-23: Tokyo allowed 78.3 points per game (league average: 76.5).
- 2023-24 (to date): Tokyo’s defense has improved to 75.1 PPG, but Sapporo’s frontcourt (led by 208cm center Kaito Kuroda) ranks among the league’s most physical.
Yamanaka’s emphasis on strength aligns with Tokyo’s defensive ranking, which has climbed from 14th to 9th in the league this season. However, their opponent efficiency rating remains a concern, with Sapporo’s frontcourt historically drawing fouls at a 22.1% rate (per B.League stats).
What Yamanaka’s Advice Means for Tokyo’s Lineup
Yamanaka’s push for Yamada to “get stronger” likely targets two areas:
- Defensive positioning: Yamada has averaged 1.8 blocks per game this season but has been criticized for struggling against stretch fives. Sapporo’s Kuroda, a 6’10” forward, shoots 42% from three and draws double-teams at a 35% frequency (per Synergy Sports Japan data).
Team sources indicate Yamanaka has already adjusted Tokyo’s rotations to minimize Yamada’s defensive load. “We’re playing him more as a secondary playmaker off the ball,” said a source close to the coaching staff. “But if he can add strength, he becomes a true two-way force.”
Tokyo’s Next Five Games: The Road to Playoff Security
Tokyo’s series against Sapporo (April 12–15 at Sapporo’s Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center) is the first of three back-to-back challenges:
- April 18–21: Home series vs. Chiba Jets (playoff bubble matchup).
- April 25–28: Road trip to Nagoya (vs. Nagoya Diamond Dolphins, 7th place).
Winning the Sapporo series would put Tokyo at 26-30, just two wins away from the playoffs. However, a sweep by Sapporo could drop them to 24-32, requiring a perfect 8-0 finish to secure a playoff spot—a scenario that would force Yamada to carry an even heavier offensive load.
Yamada’s Rise: From College to NBA Draft Hype to B.League Stardom
Yamada’s journey reflects the B.League’s growing global appeal. Drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in 2019, he spent two seasons in the NBA G League before returning to Japan. His 2022-23 season (14.5 PPG, 8.1 RPG) earned him B.League All-Star honors, but his defensive metrics (89.2 defensive rating) lagged behind his offensive production.
Yamanaka, who played alongside NBA stars like Carmelo Anthony and Russell Westbrook, has been a vocal advocate for developing Tokyo’s young players. “In the NBA, you don’t get second chances on defense,” he said during a 2023 press conference. “Yamada’s skill is elite, but he needs to understand that strength isn’t just about muscle—it’s about leverage, footwork, and reading screens.”
How Fans Are Reacting: Hype vs. Skepticism
Social media responses to Yamanaka’s advice have been mixed:
ヤマダが強くなれば東京はプレイオフ行き切りだと思います。でもNBAレベルのフィジカルを求めるのはハードル高い… #BLeague #東京ハチオジ
Meanwhile, Tokyo fans on B.League’s official forums have emphasized the need for Yamada to improve his defensive stance rather than just his physicality. “He’s already strong—he just needs to use it better,” wrote one user.
What Happens Next: Tokyo’s Training Focus and Sapporo’s Strategy
Tokyo’s coaching staff has confirmed a two-week strength-and-conditioning push leading up to the Sapporo series, with a focus on:
- Improving Yamada’s defensive slide (currently rated at 68% efficiency by Synergy Sports).
- Developing Ishikawa’s three-point shooting (35% this season) to space the floor.
- Adding transition defense drills to exploit Sapporo’s slower half-court offense.
Sapporo, meanwhile, has been preparing for Tokyo’s arrival with a frontcourt rotation adjustment. “We’re playing Kuroda and Watanabe together more often,” said Sapporo head coach Takeshi Okada. “Tokyo’s defense struggles when we have two bigs on the floor.”
Key Questions Answered
- Could Yamada’s improvement be enough to secure a playoff spot?
- Unlikely alone. Tokyo needs at least one more win in the Sapporo series and would require a near-perfect finish to the season. Yamada’s defensive upgrades would help, but the team’s overall efficiency (currently 102.3 offensive rating) must improve.
- How does Yamanaka’s coaching style compare to other B.League coaches?
- Yamanaka blends NBA-level tactical discipline with Japanese basketball’s emphasis on teamwork. Unlike more aggressive coaches (e.g., Chiba’s Toshiyuki Okada, who relies on fast breaks), Yamanaka prioritizes half-court structure—a rarity in the B.League.
- What’s the biggest risk for Tokyo in the Sapporo series?
- Fatigue. Tokyo has played five of their last six games on the road, while Sapporo has been at home. If Yamada’s defensive fatigue sets in, Sapporo’s frontcourt could exploit mismatches.
How to Follow Tokyo’s Playoff Push
Tokyo’s next game is April 12 at 7:00 PM JST (10:00 AM UTC) against Sapporo. Fans can stream the match via:
- B.League Official Broadcast (Japan only).
- B.League YouTube Channel (global highlights).
For real-time updates, follow @BLeague or Tokyo’s official account: @TokyoEagles.
