Today starts the Euro basket 2009, in Poland.

After difficult games, France managed to qualify for Euro (only going through some kind of loser bracket).

While some nations are obviously going to deliver (Spain, Greece, Croatia, Lituania, …), some like France are outsiders. I’ve been disappointed with French national team’s results for quite a while now, especially considering the potential of the team and the number of players who currently are in the NBA. I think France does not have good shooters, no strong and tall center, their FT% is ridiculous, … and they lack of regularity. The time where I woke up very early to watch every single game of France at Sydney’s Olympics in 2000 is far behind now…

So tonight, I’m gonna watch France vs Germany (without Nowitzki), knowing that France could very well lose or win by 20 points. Then I’m gonna pray they make it to the Olympics…

It’s like Mulder in the X-files, “I want to believe”…

France vs Germany - Half time update:

Not surprisingly France is behind (4 or 5 points). Let’s sumarize:

- France sucks at FTs (nothing new)

- Tony Parker/ Boris Diaw transparent, but really what is Boris Diaw doing on the court, does he even wants to play?

- Big up to Ronny Turiaf, so active and into the game… I even forgive his low % at FT. Big up to Florent Pietrus for his defense also.

- I think De Colo is bringing the spark offensively, but in defense, caramba!!! Always late …

- Anyway generally speaking France is not defending…

Mmmm, so what it’s gonna be in second half?

Update after the game

What if Tony Parker had not scored these three baskets at the end of Q4?

Some comments about the game:

- Boris Diaw, wakkkkkeeeee upppp and move your ass… It looks like you have the mobility of a center

- Ronny Turiaf was great in this game, though some defensive mistakes and FTs %

- FTs! FTs! PUT THEM IN! Come on they are professional players and they barely score 1 out of 2…

- Same thing for 3 pointers. Tony, when you see it’s not going in, it’s not going in!

- Surprised by Nicolas Batum, first time I really see him play in a game. Maybe needs to shoot more and be more agressive and it will be perfect.

- Koffi, just no comment, same goes for Bokolo (who barely entered the game anyway).

- Guys, D-E-F-E-N-S-E! Although I saw improvement in Q4, but the first 3 quarters were a joke.

After this game I watched most of Spain vs Serbia.  Quite easy win for Serbia, surprisingly, especially considering they don’t have any star this year.

When I went to Tokyo for New Year, I saw one b-ball shop in shibuya, in front of TGIF (Thank God It’s Friday, american style restaurant). Name is “Player’s Basketball”.

Shop is quite small, but it has an amazing choice of sneakers, clothing and accessories. Price is ok, and you could find some exclusive models such as All-star game 09 shoes, KG Shoes, several pairs of Jordans. There was a wall with picture of famous people who came to this shop, and I saw Bow Wow. Actually it was the only guy I could recognize (sorry for legends of Japanese basketball…). Anyway, I bought a nice pair of And1 shorts.

The other shop I found out last time I was in Shibuya is called Gallery 2.

This shop is much bigger than the other one, looks more commercial, less eeeer personal and underground I would say. There is good stuff, and pretty impressive choice of sneakers, but nothing original, few exclusive models, shorts and jerseys are just not original, it’s like black and white only. There’s a part for ladies as well. Obviously after reading this you understand my preference goes to the first shop. This one is not that bad, it just looks like the basketball section of a sports shop, just a bit (ok much) bigger.

Anyway I’m sure there are many moreb-ball shops in Tokyo, I guess it will be for next time…

This Nike commercial is a bit old, but original, though I don’t think the Japanese school uniforms are the best outfit to play basketball…

I love the part where one girl get elbowed. Finishes with “Doko made ikeru ka”, litterally “Until where can you go?” (How far can you go). At least I could understand 100% of the commercial, for once.

Some funny videos of people living dangerously. These videos all show people trying to dunk the ball into the basket, but sometimes it is harder than what you could imagine.

My selection of the best 5:

Ouch!

Didn’t even make it to the basket…

Just hilarious.

Only Shaq could own the basket…

This one is just crazy!

See the rest of the missed dunks here.