GOLD STANDARD. Vol.1 Head Coach Fujita Interview Part I
Vol.1 is an interview with Head Coach Fujita. In two parts we will introduce the 2020-21 team vision and expectations for new players.
Looking back on last season.
First of all, I am really proud of all of the players and team staff who were able to work hard and win the Western Conference Champion title in such difficult times last season. We overcame many obstacles such as a lot of player injuries and a change in the leading head coach in the middle of the season. So, needless to say, last season was more difficult than I could have imagined. However, using the “high intensity defense” created and implemented by the previous head coach Sassa as our foundation, our team was able to continue to fight and not collapse.
When I took over as head coach, I made minor changes to the way we carried out our offense. We were tied down to play calls (a predetermined set play), but there were times when the offense would become heavy, so we revised the plan to develop the offense according to the team concept with more individual player initiative. However, it is difficult even for professional athletes to adapt immediately to sudden changes. But, after two or three weeks of saying “you can attack freely on a case-by-case basis” I sensed a change in the players’ awareness and understanding. From that point on, I think the heavy offense time decreased and the offensive efficiency improved.
Nevertheless, we need to reflect and improve on the point that the essential defense became loose. Unlike the offense, which has a greater degree of freedom, I think the defense must adhere more strictly to what is requested of them.
Creating a fluid offense.
Honestly, the offensive goal of “fighting together on offense” was something that could not be accomplished. The main reason for this was because we did not have a wing player who could make the plays. Basketball is a game where you cannot create scoring opportunities if all you do is pass the ball around on the outside. For that reason, we need to be able to drive into the paint to create a gap in our opponent’s defense. If there is a gap in the opponent’s defense, then more players will be open and the team will be able to score from anywhere. However, with the injury of #14 Kishimoto and #24 Tashiro who both had been playing a part in setting up this situation, the burden on #3 Namizato increased substantially. Under these circumstances it was very important that #45 Cooley’s hard work on the inside did not collapse.
Moving forward as a team, I want to create an offense where multiple players on the court create plays and work effectively together as an offensive team and score points.
Signing #30 Keita Imamura.
As previously mentioned, last season the Kings left the starting point of the attack to #3 Namizato and the team offense did not perform as well as it could have. This season, the key to improvement will be the wing player and I think that #24 Tashiro, who is expected to recover from an injury, and our new player #30 Imamura will become the key men.
The attraction of Imamura is that it is rare for a player to be 191 cm tall and still have such substantial athletic movement as well as scoring ability. Not only that, he is also a skillful ball handler and can drive into the paint. Of course, there are other players who can drive, but what I appreciate about Imamura is that in addition to the finish variations and the ability to pass near the goal, he can play calmly even when facing a bigger player. Having a strong heart is a strong point.
It is possible that Namizato, Tashiro, and Imamura will all be on the court at the same time, so our opponent's defense must be aware of the three play makers. In this situation we will think of a style where we can launch our offense from anywhere.
Lastly, there is another key man, #14 Kishimoto, who has supported the team for many years as a scorer and a play maker for the Kings. To reduce the roll of playmaking and maximize the best use of his scoring ability, the team needs to improve off-ball movement, open up the team offense and aim to score with catch and shoots. I look forward to a new style in which off-ball movement and driving set-up plays are well integrated.
We will aim to develop a fluid offense where everyone understands their role and the many parts come together seamlessly to function as a single unit in our fight for victory!
In the next GOLD STANDARD. Vol.2, Interview with Head Coach Fujita [Part 2], we will introduce the defensive key man and talk about the defense the Kings hope to achieve with him.
