Basketball Resona B Series 1st Division Round 9 Chiba J77-65 Ryukyu (November 30,2024 Chiba LaLa Arena Tokyo Bay)
B League Chiba J. Watanabe scores with a dunk in the second quarter (Photo by Yosuke Kimura)
Photo by Sponichi
Yuta Watanabe (30),who was out after injuring his left ankle in the match against Utsunomiya on October 6,returned for the first time in less than two months in the match against Ryukyu and contributed to the win easy 77-65. He had only 8 points and 7 rebounds in 28 minutes and 39 seconds of participation,and said harshly,“It was my first game in two months,so my performance was poor.I got tired early on, and as expected (at the end), my legs cramped up.” He scored two dunks in the first half, and the venue, filled with more than 10,000 peopel, was great the beat. “Plays like that give us momentum. I want to increase it.”
Watanabe was injured in the second game of the season, so this was his third official B League game. as an elite player who played six seasons in the NBA, making him the longest-tenured Japanese player, there were times when young opponents tried to play aggressively and spoke provocative words. “When you go on the court, you don’t need to be kind or considerate to your opponent.” level, and by experiencing around the world, Japanese basketball will take it to the next level.”
During his absence, the team overcame a record of 10 wins and 2 losses, and with their 13th win (2 losses) on the day, they are comfortably in first place in the east region. Watanabe, who missed all five of his 3-pointers and looks set to improve further, said, “I can’t let my body get tired after 28 minutes.The only way for my body to get back than play more games, so I want to play well.” I hoped.
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