Japan opens national team camp without star power
John E. Gibson / Daily Yomiuri Sportswriter
Yuta Tabuse and a number of notable players were missing as practice officially opened for Japan as it prepares to try to open a few eyes in the FIBA 2006 World Championship, which takes place here this summer.
In fact, Japan's fourth-year Croatian coach Zeljko Pavlicevic had only 13 players from the roster announced in March attend a workout on Wednesday at Tokyo's Yoyogi No. 2 Gym.
Earlier in the day a number of players--for reasons ranging from injuries and contract-related matters to scheduling conflicts--were taken off the roster that was originally announced in March.
The list includes Tabuse, the first Japanese player to appear in the NBA and a member of the Albuquerque Thunderbirds of the NBADL, and JBL veterans Kenichi Sako and Takuma Watanabe. Also out are Eric McArthur and Michael Takahashi, two longtime members of the JBL's top league, and Walter Brown Matsushima.
Officials added that additions to the roster should be expected.
Takehiko Orimo--a former MVP who helped Toyota win the JBL title in March--is expected to play the team.
Japan also also announced plans to take on Puerto Rico--which features Carlos Arroyo of the Orlando Magic--in the Kirin Cup as a warm-up for the Aug. 19-Sept. 3 tournament.
The teams will play three games in a July warm-up series to be held in Nagano (July 18), Saitama (July 20) and in Tokyo (July 22).
Puerto Rico, ranked 11th by FIBA, is in Group D with Italy, Senegal, Slovenia and the United States, while Japan is Group B with Germany, Angola, New Zealand, Panama and Spain.
Pavlicevic said Japan faces a tough road no matter which teams it plays.
"There are no easy groups out there," said Pavlicevic, who guided Spain for four years. "Our aim is to get through our group.
"Spain and Germany are the favorites in our group. We are looking for a chance against Angola, Panama and perhaps New Zealand."
Without a game-changing player, the coach said teamwork would be a key for Japan.
"As coach, what I want to do in this tournament is first have all the players perform as a unit in every facet. We don't have a player who can take over and win games on his own. Team spirit and team play is the way we'll win.
"We're shorter than other teams, but not weaker. We should be able to play and rebound with the other teams. Our biggest weapon will be superior preparation and aggressive defense."
The team is built around 21-year-old, 2.05-meter twins Kosuke and Joji Takeuchi, but the squad lacks veterans with international experience.
One of its base players is veteran Satoru Furuta, also a member of JBL-winning Toyota and a player with more than 10 years of international experience for No 25-ranked Japan.
Furuta, 34, said the team is young, but focused. "We have to get through group play," said the 1.99-meter center. "At least that's the goal. It's not like it'll be impossible. We have a chance.
"There are going to be tough games, but it's not as if we have to win all our games to make it through."
(Apr. 20, 2006)
John E. Gibson / Daily Yomiuri Sportswriter
Yuta Tabuse and a number of notable players were missing as practice officially opened for Japan as it prepares to try to open a few eyes in the FIBA 2006 World Championship, which takes place here this summer.
In fact, Japan's fourth-year Croatian coach Zeljko Pavlicevic had only 13 players from the roster announced in March attend a workout on Wednesday at Tokyo's Yoyogi No. 2 Gym.
Earlier in the day a number of players--for reasons ranging from injuries and contract-related matters to scheduling conflicts--were taken off the roster that was originally announced in March.
The list includes Tabuse, the first Japanese player to appear in the NBA and a member of the Albuquerque Thunderbirds of the NBADL, and JBL veterans Kenichi Sako and Takuma Watanabe. Also out are Eric McArthur and Michael Takahashi, two longtime members of the JBL's top league, and Walter Brown Matsushima.
Officials added that additions to the roster should be expected.
Takehiko Orimo--a former MVP who helped Toyota win the JBL title in March--is expected to play the team.
Japan also also announced plans to take on Puerto Rico--which features Carlos Arroyo of the Orlando Magic--in the Kirin Cup as a warm-up for the Aug. 19-Sept. 3 tournament.
The teams will play three games in a July warm-up series to be held in Nagano (July 18), Saitama (July 20) and in Tokyo (July 22).
Puerto Rico, ranked 11th by FIBA, is in Group D with Italy, Senegal, Slovenia and the United States, while Japan is Group B with Germany, Angola, New Zealand, Panama and Spain.
Pavlicevic said Japan faces a tough road no matter which teams it plays.
"There are no easy groups out there," said Pavlicevic, who guided Spain for four years. "Our aim is to get through our group.
"Spain and Germany are the favorites in our group. We are looking for a chance against Angola, Panama and perhaps New Zealand."
Without a game-changing player, the coach said teamwork would be a key for Japan.
"As coach, what I want to do in this tournament is first have all the players perform as a unit in every facet. We don't have a player who can take over and win games on his own. Team spirit and team play is the way we'll win.
"We're shorter than other teams, but not weaker. We should be able to play and rebound with the other teams. Our biggest weapon will be superior preparation and aggressive defense."
The team is built around 21-year-old, 2.05-meter twins Kosuke and Joji Takeuchi, but the squad lacks veterans with international experience.
One of its base players is veteran Satoru Furuta, also a member of JBL-winning Toyota and a player with more than 10 years of international experience for No 25-ranked Japan.
Furuta, 34, said the team is young, but focused. "We have to get through group play," said the 1.99-meter center. "At least that's the goal. It's not like it'll be impossible. We have a chance.
"There are going to be tough games, but it's not as if we have to win all our games to make it through."
(Apr. 20, 2006)
Kei Igarashi (180-PG-80)
Takuya Kawamura (191-SG-86)
Naoto Nakamura (192-SG-76)
Ryota Sakurai (194-SG-83)
Tomoo Amino (196-SF-80)
Satoru Furuta (199-PF-71)
Daiji Yamada (200-PF-81)
Shunsuke Ito (203-CF-79)
Joji Takeuchi (205-SF-85)
Kosuke Takeuchi (205-PF-85)
Takashi Shinohara (210-C-77)
Hiroyuki Tominaga (211-C-73)
Toru Sugatani (216-C-84)
(Other than Sugatani, everyone had been with the NT for years. Japan desperately need a big man and I wonder how good Sugatani is.)
Undecided (1):
Takehiko Orimo (190-SG-70)
As mentioned in the article, additions to the roster are expected.
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