06/08/2010
JPN - Focus is on returning to respectability: Wisman
BEIRUT, Lebanon (3rd FIBA Asia Stankovic Cup): Thomas ‘Tim’ Wisman has his task well cut out. The American took over the reins of the Japanese men’s National Team early this year, at a time when the team’s fortunes in FIBA Asia events were beginning to show a declining trend.
In the period thence, Wisman has, if not anything else, injected optimism into the Japan team’s approach.
Most recently, Japan took on WABA giants Lebanon in a three-game friendly series, and came up with a performance that spoke for the progress the team had made under Wisman.
Japan lost the series 1-2, but not before giving the more fancied 2010 FIBA World Championship-bound Lebanon quite a few scares.
They lost the first game after stretching the issue to Overtime, won the second game, and went down fighting in the series decider.
“Our program is about returning to respectability after recent disappointing results,” Wisman told this website dwelling on the past, present and future of the team, on the eve of the 3rd FIBA Asia Stankovic Cup.
Excerpts
FIBA Asia: What are your thoughts on a tournament like FIBA Asia Stankovic Cup? Does it help in assessing the National Teams in between the years of the FIBA Asia Championships?
Wisman: It is a great opportunity for Asia’s top teams to compete and improve. For the teams going to the 2010 FIBA World Championship, it is an excellent tournament to prepare. And the teams not going, have the chance to measure their team’s progress before next year’s FIBA Asia Championship.
FIBA Asia: What are your thoughts on the current Japan team? What changes you brought ever since you took over?
Wisman: We are improving. Our program is about returning to respectability after recent disappointing results.
As for changes, we are working through problems of player availability and putting our best talent together. We are also focusing more on defense and fast full court attack on offense.
FIBA Asia: What is the team you have brought? Youth, Experienced?
Wisman: A mix. But mostly we are going with our more experienced players to restore as much pride as possible to our National team.
FIBA Asia: Please assess your prospects/ outlook at the Championship?
Wisman: We are approaching this competition as a chance to measure our team’s improvement since the last FIBA Asia Championship (at Tianjin, where fell out the quarterfinals for the first time the competition’s history).
FIBA Asia: What are the specific areas you have been concentrating in your preparatory program?
Wisman: Increasing strength and conditioning for long term goals. In short term, we have been focusing on team performance in execution of team concepts both in offense as well as in defense – especially in defense improvement
