Basketball Topics

Nara selects Toyama as first coach

by Ed Odeven

It didn’t take long. Koto Toyama has landed another coaching gig. The Bambitious Nara have handed the reins to Toyama for the team’s inaugural season, 2013-14. The announcement was made earlier this week, just days before the June 19 draft. (Koju Munakata, a former Toyota Motors sideline supervisor, was tabbed ...

May 29, 2013

Niigata dumps Coach of Year

by Ed Odeven

Matt Garrison, the 2012-13 bj-league Coach of the Year, has not been retained for next season. The Niigata Albirex BB made the announcement on Monday, eight days after the team’s season ended. Albirex GM Manabu Kosuge and Garrison met early last week after the ...

Yokohama captures first-ever bj-league title

May 20, 2013

Yokohama captures first-ever bj-league title

by Ed Odeven

One team’s quest for a first title has ended. The other team’s fight will continue next season. The Yokohama B-Corsairs outplayed the Rizing Fukuoka in Sunday’s bj-league championship game, controlling the tempo for larger stretches and making enough timely baskets to fill an instructional ...

Captain Kabaya picks up MVP award

May 20, 2013

Captain Kabaya picks up MVP award

by Ed Odeven

Masayuki Kabaya, the Yokohama B-Corsairs captain, knocked down five 3-pointers — all five attempts — in a mesmerizing 35-point performance that had fans from both teams dropping their jaws in astonishment. Kabaya was named the playoff MVP after helping Yokohama capture its first championship, ...

Burns heroics give B-Corsairs shot at championship

May 19, 2013

Burns heroics give B-Corsairs shot at championship

by Ed Odeven

Unbelievable energy. Splendid self confidence. Never-wavering faith in his abilities or his teammates. Those are ingredients to success for Draelon Burns, the Yokohama B-Corsairs’ super substitute. Burns buried a remarkable three buzzer-beating shots to close out the three final quarters, and his team needed ...

Fukuoka blows out Kyoto, clinches spot in title game

May 19, 2013

Fukuoka blows out Kyoto, clinches spot in title game

by Ed Odeven

It is impossible to hide their collective desire to win a championship. For the Rizing Fukuoka, the intensity of their 55th game this season produced a collective trademark that was evident since the start of the 2012-13 bj-league season: Reggie Warren’s fiery leadership, Julius ...