The Osaka Evessa do not look like a championship contender. And it will probably take a minor miracle for the Western Conference club to qualify for the playoffs this season.
But this much is certain: The Evessa are headed in the right direction under new coach Bill Cartwright, who held the same post with the Chicago Bulls from 2001-03.
Osaka has won four of its six games with the former NBA big man in charge, including a 92-80 decision over the Oita HeatDevils on Sunday in bj-league action in Kobe.