Wednesday, 23.08.2006	posted by Georges Eddy 02:03 am
Category: FIBA World Championship

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MY IMPRESSIONS ON MY FIRST VISIT TO JAPAN

Sendai Japan is overpopulated, over-lighted, over-billboarded, polluted, humid and hot.

The Japanese are clean, polite, discreet, hospitable, small, disciplined and organized but it's hard to get them to think outside the box.

They like ecology, bikes especially on sidewalks, driving on the right, kitshy arcade games, bonsai plants for pets not dogs and cats, anything electronic, golf, baseball, and shopping but sizes stop at large and ten for shoes.

In Japan it's possible to ride a bike, telephone, dodge cars and munch at the same time.

Did you see Blade Runner?

In the cozy gym here there are less people each day but a hundred French fans pump up the atmosphere.

Their heroes have won two of three with terrifying defence and sloppy offense especially against zones.

Boris Diaw - like his idol Magic - and the young revelation Bokolo (NBA scouts, wake up to this kid) have to do a bit more of everything to make up for Parker's absence.

France will have an easier eighth-final game vs. Angola than the USA will vs. Brazil, the only team to bother them during the preparation games.

We won't see too many more blowouts by the USA in my humble opinion.

However, France will have a hard time getting by Greece in the quarter-finals in order to meet the USA.

My blog predictions have panned out well so far and it's obvious that Spain (my favorite), Greece, the USA, and Argentina have a rendez-vous in the semi's, barring a major upset.

Argentina's double high post-two shooters in the corners and passing game offense - is brillant as a certain Popovich well knows.

I was thinking today that for the Americans this adventure must seem like a never-ending road trip to outer space with a little sweet sixteen thrown in there at the end to get your adrenaline flowing.

George Eddy in Sendai