The Japan men's basketball team miraculously counterattacked France, showing the strength of the "golden generation".
Who would have thought that the Japan men's basketball team would give France a resounding slap in the face at the Olympics? This game simply turned everyone on their heads! On July 30, in the men's basketball group stage of the Paris Olympics, Japan defeated the powerful France team 89-84. This victory not only raised the eyebrows of the Japan team, but also proved their strength to the world.
Amazing performance of the dark horse Japan team
To be honest, before the game started, I didn't think that Japan would win. After all, they lost their first game to Germany, and France has NBA stars like Batum and Gobert in charge. However, the performance of the Japan team was a real eye-opener for me!
Hachimura is like a hanger, and his shooting hand is so hot that he can't do it. He hit back-to-back three-pointers to confuse France's defense. Kawamura Yuki was not to be outdone, not only was he well organized, but he also stuffed the ball into the basket at two ends in three days. I want to applaud them!
What surprised me the most was that the Japan team was even better than the France team. In the fourth quarter, the big men of the France team were out of breath, but the Japan team was still alive. This is a good thing, the advantage of the France team is all gone, and the Japan team is unable to find the north.
France could not hide the pain of defeat
Seriously, France lost a bit unjustly this time. They have NBA stars like Batum and Gobert! It stands to reason that playing the Japan team should be an easy matter. However, they just can't seem to find their rhythm, and their shooting is a mess.
Although Batum scored more than 20 points, his efficiency was frighteningly low. Gobert was domineering on the inside, but unfortunately his teammates just didn't pass the ball to him. I can see that I am anxious for them!
In the last few minutes, the France team finally found its sense and began to chase points frantically. Unfortunately, it was too late, and the Japan team held on to the advantage. Looking at the disappointed expressions of the France players, I felt a little distressed.
The rise of the "Golden Generation".
Speaking of which, the progress of the Japan men's basketball team in recent years has been really rapid. In the past, when it came to the Japan men's basketball team, everyone thought it was a fish belly team. But now? They have NBA players like Hachimura and Yuta Watanabe!
Some experts say that this group of Japan players is the "golden generation", and I think it is not wrong at all. Hachimura is playing well in the NBA, and Yuta Watanabe is becoming more and more stable. Coupled with the growth of local players such as Yuki Kawamura and Shin Ejima, the strength of the Japan team has indeed reached a new level.
But then again, if the Japan team wants to gain a foothold in the world basketball arena, it can't rely on just a few stars. They also need more talent, and they have to work on tactics and teamwork. If you win France this time, you can't be complacent.
Asia's power at the Olympics
Speaking of which, Japan's win over France this time reminds me of the Chinese men's basketball team's victory over Ivory Coast in the World Cup a few years ago. At the time, it was also a big surprise, who would have thought that an Asian team could win against an African powerhouse?
The overall level of Asian basketball still needs to be improved. Traditional powerhouses like China and Korea have not performed well in recent years. Although it is worth celebrating that Japan can win France this time, it cannot be said that Asian basketball can be on an equal footing with Europe and the United States.
I think that Asian countries still need to have more exchanges and learn more to improve their level together. Only in this way can we have a greater say in the world basketball arena.
The future is promising, but there is still a long way to go
This game gives me the feeling that the Japan men's basketball team really has unlimited potential! Not only do they have superstars like Hachimura, but they also have a group of young and promising players on the rise. If they can keep up this momentum, they might even be able to make a difference at the Olympics!
However, I don't think the Japan team should get too carried away. After all, this is only a win in the group stage, and there are stronger opponents waiting for them. Moreover, their strength still has shortcomings, for example, the inner line is obviously inferior to the European and American teams.
Overall, the performance of the Japan men's basketball team this time is really eye-catching. But they still have a long way to go to truly become a world powerhouse. However, as long as they continue to work hard and maintain this hard work, I believe that the future of the Japan men's basketball team will be brighter!