Taurasi, 42, said she was happy to be back in Lille, where she often played in the city during her time in the EuroLeague Women, and said that more and more athletes like herself are reaching a stage of long term in their careers.
"The world of sports has changed a lot and we have many opportunities to improve ourselves physically, how to train and more, that's why we see examples like Rudy (Fernandez) or Lebron (James) and Rafael (Nadal)," Taurasi said. "Its happening in all sports and it's one thing that will continue with the next generation."
The Japanese, however, showed that they can also dance around the court, capitalizing on seven three-point baskets in the first half by Rui Machida and Mai Yamamoto. At just 5-foot, 7-inches (1.62 m) tall, they proved they can still be dangerous and daring.
Hosts France pulled off a major upset in Group C, after overcoming a first-quarter deficit to beat Canada 75-54.
Fifth-ranked Canada withered under a rally by the seventh-ranked hosts, scoring just two points in the second quarter - the fewest points ever scored by any team in a single quarter at the Olympics, men or women.
French centre Marieme Badiane and forward Gabby Williams were the heroes of the 'allez les bleues' evening, with the pair receiving a rousing post-match ovation and posing for selfies with the crowd.
On a day of surprises, favoured Belgium got their Olympic bid off to a bad start, losing 83-69 to debutantes Germany in Group B.
Belgium were partly undone by Germany's dynamic Sabally sisters, Satou and Nyara, who poured in 33 points between them.
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