The journey of Team Japan in the Paris Olympics was challenging. Besides being the only Asian team to compete in the tournament, the team was facing top-tier teams (Germany, France and Brazil) in Group C. Though the possibility of qualifying for the elimination is nearly zero, Japan showed no sense of backing down.
With a 102-84 loss to Team Brazil, Japan finished their long-awaited Olympics experience since 1976 (except for playing in the Tokyo 2020 as a host). Despite swallowing three consecutive losses expectedly, Japan earned respect from the audience after putting full effort into each game, especially nearly edging Team France until the end of the regulation. Going deeper behind the scores, Japan showcased its special traits and made trouble for its opponents.
No matter the result, Japan had proved itself a world-class contender, inserting confidence and dynamics for the country to continue revamping its basketball program. Though Asian teams are fragile in the history of men’s basketball at the Olympics, recording only two wins of all time (Team China, 2008), Japan is changing the narrative.
Japan Shows Wisdom and Resilience
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Considering the smaller size compared to other competitors in the Olympics, Coach Tom Hovasse adopted a fast-paced style of play for his team. This approach leverages the all-around abilities of the players and is particularly suited to a team that may lack height but compensates with speed and agility. This style is reminiscent of the Japanese women’s team that Hovasse coached before taking over the tenure of the men’s team in 2021. They were known for their speed and aggressive defense, often using full-court presses and traps to disrupt opponents.
It doesn’t mean that Japan has no player with a better size. The return of Rui Hachimura to the national team had shown a significant boost to the team’s offense. Besides struggling to find his shooting rhythm, Hachimura drew fouls and scored on the free-throw line against Germany. Hachimura, who missed the last World Cup, brought not only his talent but also alleviated the burden on other key players like Yuta Watanabe and Josh Hawkinson.
Great Showing Despite Losses
Knowing that big men shooting threes is becoming a trend on the international stage, Japan is one of the few Asian teams to follow. The lack of height didn’t shrink Hawkinson’s competency on the court. While the team was moving the ball, Hawkinson could step back and make long jumpers. Against France, Hawkinson put up four three-pointers with six attempts, playing a vital role in nailing the gap for Japan.
As Hovasse inserted the mindset of making it to the quarterfinal to the team before the Olympics, Japan demonstrated their inspirational spirit of “never give up.” Combating the World Cup Champion Germany, they made stronger responses to the opponent’s offense to avoid a blowout in the first half. To France, they nearly held the leading advantage but unfortunately gave it away when France’s Matthew Strazel hit the four-point play in the last ten seconds. Against Brazil, despite Hachimura being sidelined due to the injury, they nearly tied the game up in the fourth quarter after trailing 16 points in the third.
Breakout Star: Yuki Kawamura
Yuki Kawamura, Team Japan’s starting point guard, who is only 5’6’’, was arguably the best performer of the team in the Olympics. Despite dealing with foul troubles for Japan’s first game against Germany, he delivered a team-high seven assists. Kawamura then dropped 29 points, seven rebounds and six assists with a positive 24 efficiency. He became the third player with 25+ points, 5+ boards and 5+ assists in one single game of the Olympics in the 21st century. Kevin Durant (Team USA) and Luol Deng (Team Great Britain) made it previously. In the team’s final game, he made a double-double (21 points and 10 assists) against Brazil though Japan eventually succumbed.
Kawamura played a key role in facilitating the team in playmaking. To activate most players to score the basket, the team showcased its reliance on Kawamura who made accurate passes and perfect executions. Though playing with a smaller size, he utilized his speed, physicality and dribble skills to handle defenders, creating space for others or driving inside for himself. Since, the 23-year-old Japanese player signed an Exhibit-10 contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, his dominant performance is expected to earn him more minutes to play for the team next season.
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