SAITAMA (Japan) -- A Japanese women's basketball team devised a clever and efficient game plan and ran it so well that instructional videos could be made. They also showed off a roster where everyone could shoot, pass, and dribble.It was an amazing display of basketball. It was no match for Team USA.This is the current state of play. The Americans won their seventh consecutive gold medal Sunday in Tokyo with a victory of 90-75. This was their 55th consecutive Olympic victory.Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi were two of the women who created and grew this dynasty. They each received their fifth golds. This made them the first international basketball players to do so.Taurasi stated, "It's been an incredible journey." It's been 20 years of sacrifice, putting aside all else and wanting to win. Although it's not easy to play on this team and the pressure is intense, this group managed to win. I am happy this group was able to have fun.They gave a wonderful tour of Athens and London, Beijing, London and Rio de Janeiro, and then they went on to Tokyo. Bird and Taurasi likely played in their last game as national team players. They made the first two baskets, then symbolically handed it to the younger generation to take home.Brittney Griner finished off an unforgettable Olympic run by scoring 30 points using 14-on-18 shooting to lead the offensive attack. This was Lisa Leslie's 29th record for the most points in a gold medal game. The young star was even more delighted to have helped Bird and Taurasi win their fifth.Griner stated, "Anyone who knows me well and is familiar with [Taurasi] will know how much I admire her." "Even when I'm on the court, I am still in awe. You know, Diana Taurasi gets to play with me. It means everything to me to be a part this, her fifth, and it is an honor."The Japanese are a balanced team, and every player is a skilled 3-point shooter. On average, they shot 41% and averaged 13 3-pointers per game. These numbers are something that every team would be proud of. They move and back-cut their way to open shots with fundamental genius.However, no other team can match the American's size and the Japanese were particularly challenged. Griner and A'ja were post-presented, and they had no answers. Griner finished with 19 points and seven rebounds, and Wilson with five assists. They also couldn't find an answer to Breanna Stewart's 14 points, 14 rebound and five assists.Unstoppable was the combination of veteran guards' leadership with the dominance of younger players.Bird stated, "Hopefully we have left a legacy for the younger players so they can now carry that torch."Dawn Staley, Team USA coach, announced that she would be retiring after playing in all seven golds. She also played Bird and Taurasi for a long time as part of their farewell.It was tiring, but Taurasi was very efficient in feeding the post. He racked up eight assists and seven points.Japan lost six points in the second quarter, and was still within the single digits for the third. Japan was not able to generate the same good looks outside as usual due to Team USA's large size.Japan came in at No. 10 in the world and was ranked No. Japan ranked No. 10 in the world, and was happy with its silver-medal performance. Captain Maki Takada scored 17 points.Bird stated that it is always difficult to win a medal of gold, but this year was more challenging. To deal with the same adversity that everyone else faced and not let it get in our way. I am happy. That's all.
