“GOLD STANDARD” is a series that highlights the thoughts and perspectives of our coaches and players as we continue to look through their own eyes to learn what it is like to play professional sports. Throughout this series we introduce you to the on-court struggles and the grueling off-court work regimen of the players. In addition, we offer you a peek behind the scenes, highlights of the King’s basketball philosophy and much more!
     Vol.7 is an interview with one of the Kings’ oldest veteran players, #14 Ryuichi Kishimoto. This is his ninth year as a member of the Kings, and he served as team captain from 2015-19. He had been sidelined since February of last season due to an injury that occurred in a game against Akita Northen Happinets. Then in April he was diagnosed with an incurable disease. In this interview we will introduce his expectations for a new team, his journey through recovery and his thoughts on what he believes will be a special opening game day.

The Story
     This was the first time in my entire basketball career that I had been out this long due to an injury and I became aware of how stressful it was to not be able to play basketball. It was stressful, not only as a player but also personally as I was frustrated to be unable to do things without causing inconvenience to others. Along with my injury, I got sick in March and in April was diagnosed with an incurable disease. Fortunately, it is a mild illness, and I am now able to return to workouts and training to prepare for the upcoming season. By June I regained my ordinary physical strength, but it was still not at the level of an athlete, so I had to start to train in order to regain my athletic physical strength. I had lost so much strength that when I held my daughter for the first time after leaving the hospital, I wondered whether or not she had always been this heavy or if she had just grown a lot.
     As of now I have adjusted to about 60-70% of my best physical condition. However, because of having to adjust to my new condition, I am a little worried about the lack of preparation compared to the previous year. This off-season is a difficult situation for all athletes, and I think that the results will be influenced by awareness and the approach taken by all athletes.

Various changes
     This season Assistant Coach Toyama and Skill Coach Tanaka have joined the Kings and I think it is a big plus for us to be able to work together during practice with the concept that Head Coach Fujita has put in place for this season. I also want to capture and convey the coaches’ intentions and communicate them to the new players. Since the coaches are communicating in an atmosphere of mostly returning players, it can sometimes be difficult for new players who are having to adapt to a new environment to fully understand everything that is being conveyed, so I want to be able to help communicate in this area in order to allow us to be the best team we can be.
     More than we ever have in the past, this season the Kings are working out with the concept of "playing together as a team." On the offensive side the primary objective is for all five players to share the ball and shorten the amount of time each player has the ball. Of course, it is necessary for an individual player to try to open up the defense, therefore it is important how the other players react and take action together. Ultimately, the team will create an offense where players who are open can shoot every time.
     The team situation and concept have changed, and the role I am required to play has also been changed by Head Coach Fujita. Until now, I was usually responsible for being a play maker, but now, I receive the ball after my teammates make a gap within the defense for me to be able to score. When I can take shoots without dribbling, I think that the team offense does well, and this perspective makes me really look forward to a great Kings’ basketball season. This may be a misleading statement, but only shooting is probably the easiest play for me and the most unpleasant for the opponent.

New Team
     In addition to #3 Narito Namizato and #24 Naoki Tashiro, who are players who create gaps in the defense, I am also looking forward to playing with the new members #1 Seiya Funyu and #30 Keita Imamura. Funyu has a high level of instant understanding and judgement and has the skills to execute plays effectively. He moves the ball around in a good rhythm, so I, as a shooter, don't feel any stress playing together. His skills are also unique. He is a player who can go where he wants to go. Namizato is the type of player who can move swiftly through the defense. In contrast, Funyu is the type of player who slips out of the defense without any major action, and he can do this with a poker face which is the type of player a coach really appreciates.
     Imamura is a "potential ghost". As an athlete, his ability and attitude toward basketball is outstanding and I feel that he really fits in with the Kings culture that the organization has built. He is always preparing and making a lot of effort before and after each practice so it is inevitable that he will continue to grow as a player. However, I think he will come across some complications regarding the team defense. By listening to the coaches and modeling after players like Namizato and Funyu, Imamura will become a player who will be able to effectively contribute to the team defense as well. In terms of offense, he has shooting athleticism and the ability to score but there is still a lot of growth necessary as a ball handler, but I am looking forward to his contribution to the offense.

Special Feelings
     One thought I have for this season is that I personally want #24 Naoki Tashiro to do his best. I think that as a captain for one year, he had a lot of pent-up feelings about having to sit out part of last season due to his surgery. Tashiro has a strong sense of responsibility and sense of fairness. He also has strong character where he always tries to say and do the right thing. Sometimes this restrains him, and he loses the ability of instantaneous speech. As someone who was captain in the past, I want to be able to support him in these particular points. I feel that Tashiro's strong will as a captain is very solid, so I have high expectations for him.
     Last season I was no longer the captain, however, I still had faith. Looking back, I learned that the things I can do alone are limited, and when trying to accomplish a big goal, it is better to share your opinions with everyone, good or bad, and proceed. I also reflect back on how I was affected by too much negativity that surrounded me. However, there is a positive atmosphere in the team right now, and I would like to build on that and move forward this season.
     From the end of last season in March to the start of this season in October, we have worked hard and must continue to work hard individually and as a team to do our best with the difficult constraints that have been put on us. Every year, we build a team for the championship throughout the season and go through the process of becoming a complete team in April and May. However, this season I want to bring 100% to the opening game. Everyone is looking forward to the return of basketball, so more than winning or losing games, the most important thing right now is the highly anticipated return to the court for both players and fans. Therefore, we want to deliver as much as we can to the people. We want to enter this season giving it 100% at the start. I think this is going to be a really special season opening game. In my mind, it is similar to the feeling of when B League first began. There are dark parts such as COVID , injuries and illnesses, but there are also bright parts such as the anticipation of being able to play again and the completion of the new arena. Because we cannot see the future, there is a sense of uneasiness that accompanies the sense of hope within us.
     Many people feel hopelessness in their life right now because they suffer from unexpected situations and live with various feelings of uncertainty. Regardless of whether we win or lose, I will play with the intention of not giving up and trying to move forward so that I can convey our energy to the people watching the game both at the venue and at home. It may be just one of the many games in my career, but from the perspective of the viewer, it could be a special game that holds a deeper meaning. With that in mind, I'm always ready for each and every play.
     When someone says, “life is worth living” I want people to see and feel the power of the Kings.