3-point shooting, pressure defense are key objectives for Japan at worlds

The Japan National Team appeared in the 1998 FIBA World Championship after a 31-year absence. The team was eliminated in the first round and failed to qualify for the tournament four years later.

Kei Igarashi dribbles the ball during a team drill at a recent national team practice in Kita Ward. YOSHIAKI MIURA PHOTOS

This year, Japan, the World Championship host, gets an automatic bid to the tourney, and gets another shot at proving itself on the world stage. Zeljko Pavlicevic, a Croatian with an impressive record coaching in Europe, took over as national coach three years ago.

After Sunday's 62-60 loss to Senegal at the Urayasu City Sports Park Gymnasium in Urayasu, Chiba Pref., Pavlicevic reflected on his team's months of preparation and the final tuneup for this tourney.

"If we played like we did today in some moments, we are very dangerous," Pavlicevic said.

The coach's post-game attitude mirrored his players' positive vibes.

"We are not the strongest power in the world in basketball," he said with a chuckle.

Then, he said, "We showed something (in the loss) -- the spirit of the team and good defense."

Japan opens Group B tournament play on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Hiroshima against the great Dirk Nowitzki and Germany. That game could set the tone for a young Japanese squad.

"In my opinion, how we enter the first game against Germany is important," said shooting guard Takuya Kawamura said. "If we enter the game properly, we will be able to play well afterwards."

Kawamura, 20, is the team's youngest player. He is the primary backup to Takehiko Orimo, the team's oldest player (36).

In essence, Kawamura and Orimo are a microcosm of this squad. Kawamura represents the future of Japanese basketball -- 11 of the final 14 players listed on the national roster are in their 20s ---- while Orimo represents the old guard (center and team captain Satoru Furuta, 35, and Takahiro Setsumasa, 34, are the other elder statesmen).

Japan's Takuya Kawamura, left, and Takehiko Orimo, the team's oldest player, pose for a photo after a recent practice. Both shooting guards are known for their 3-point shooting ability, a trademark of this team's offense.

One notable name, point guard Yuta Tabuse, is not on Japan's roster. Tabuse didn't participate in any of the team's pre-worlds training camps. He is focused on getting back to the NBA.

The team, however, won't dwell on Tabuse's absence. There's too much work to do for the players and coaching staff.

In preparation for the World Championship, Pavlicevic's squad held training camp in Croatia and faced Spain, Italy and China in exhibitions in Spain.

Up-tempo, always-on-the-go offense and pressure defense are this team's trademarks.

And you can't forget 3-point shooting. Pavlicevic's squad attempted 31 long-range shots against Senegal Sunday. Orimo, Kawamura, Ryota Sakurai, Tomoo Amino and Daiji Yamada each shot three or more.

But don't forget this: Orimo, is considered Japan's shooting specialist, the team's top marksman.

It's a label he carries with great pride.

"In the past), I only tried to get better with my shooting," he said. "To get better, I would watch films of outstanding shooters and would talk to great shooters."

Indeed, he knows what his limitations are. And that's fine with him.

"I don't have great speed, power and leaping ability, but one thing that stands alone (is) my shooting," Orimo said.

For Kawamura, Orimo's dedication to his craft has been nothing short of inspirational.

"Everyone knows he is a great shooter," the youngster said. "But what I studied was his move before going to shooting. I feel like it was a move that only a veteran can do."

To prepare for the 2006 tournament, Japan overhauled its team image. Defense now comes first.

The 1998 squad, which placed great emphasis on offense, was a failed experiment.

"Each player was so confident and it was an offensive team. But our offense couldn't do anything against the world at all," Orimo recalled. "Now our team is a defensive team and we have to be like that to play against the world."

Also appearing for Team Japan at worlds will be: Kei Igarashi and Shinsuke Kashiwagi and Setsumasa at point guard, 21-year-old twins Kosuke and Joji Takeuchi at forward and Shunsuke Ito at center.

For this team, Pavlicevic has stated that it needs to hold foes to 70 points or less to win.

In the loss to Senegal, Japan's rebounding deficiencies were on display. The team pulled down 36 rebounds to Senegal's 56. Half of those boards were corralled by the Takeuchi brothers, Joji (a team-best 10) and Kosuke (eight). None of their teammates had more than three rebounds.

This could be a problem at worlds.

"Our weak point is rebounding," Orimo said during an Aug. 8 interview. "Right now Kosuke Takeuchi is the only guy that gets boards."

Orimo added: "If our opponent keeps controlling rebounds, we have no chance to play a game. If our guards get two or three rebounds each, it will be some 10 overall. So rebounding is an issue, but we can do something about it depending on how we think of it."

Another factor could work in the home nation's favor. Perhaps Team Japan's fans will spark the team.

"In the past when we played abroad, there have been games with a lot of enthusiastic fans," Kawamura said. "But this time it will be in Japan. I expect a lot of fans to come out to watch our games, so I want to live up to their expectations. And to do so, I want to do my best."

Which means?

"Our goal is to come back to Saitama," Kawamura concluded, referring to the goal of advancing to the final 16.

COACH-SPEAK: Senegal coach Moustapha Mamadou Gaye offered this assessment of Japan after Sunday's game: "We know that you guys have a good coach. You've got a lot of set plays and he utilizes his players to the best of their (ability)."