Saturday, 26.08.2006	posted by Georges Eddy 02:21 pm
Category: FIBA World Championship

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WELCOME TO TOKYO

Welcome to Tokyo, the, armored cement capitol of the world.Mega high rises, sprawling and mindboggling streets and mass transit system, the train stations are malls, you ride in mint condition old taxis-these people know how to take care of their stuff-if you are going to trade houses for a month, make sure it's with Japanese people!

I saw a homeless man talking on a mobile phone (not trying to sell it), and oddly the karaoke parlors have individual booths, I don't get it, I thought the point was to sing like a fool in front of strangers.

There's no sidewalk cafes because here looking at others is impolite.

Everywhere there's great food kind people and free wireless internet, except at MY hotel!

Buildings, people and lights everywhere, Tokyo is INTENSE.

Are you sure you didn't see Blade Runner? On to the Saitama arena for some great basketball.

I'll break my record by commentating eight full games in two days (round of sixteen).

Phew! I think Bargnani should be here improving his game vs. the world's best which would be more useful than individual workouts.

Angola took Germany to three overtimes and obliged Dirk to score 47 with 16 rebounds and 17 fo 17 on free throws, so France better bring their best suffocating D and an inside attack vs. zones to avoid another earthquake like when Lebanon heroically upset them but with little consequences (France still finished second and Lebanon was eliminated).

France and the USA with their NBA players have similar problems with outside shooting against compact zone defences.

For both, it's, speed up the tempo or fail!

So far I've been impressed with Argentina, Spain, Greece and Italy and their teamwork in the half-court game, by Turkey's turnaround and the USA's mental toughness and posive but humble attitude.

I'll assume that espn.com's Chris Sheridan was tripping after some bad sushi when "smell" found it's ugly way onto his list of ten reasons USA won't win gold.

That kind of statement stinks! A note on the difficulties of doing objective commentary.

The entourage of a French shooter who's in a bad slump, found my comments too severe and I regret it because I've appreciated the player since he was a kid.

Youv'e got to weigh every word because once it's spoken you cant take it back! Let the elimination games begin and buckle up for the wild ride!

George Eddy in Saitama.