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Japan Times
BASKETBALL
May 13, 2012

Niigata prevails over defending champs in series opener

The Niigata Albirex BB had six players reach double figures in scoring in Saturday's 89-80 victory over the two-time reigning champion Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix in Game 1 of their bj-league Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
May 4, 2012

Banner day for Yokohama: Burrell MVP, Geary top coach

The expansion Yokohama B-Corsairs, one of the bj-league's biggest surprises this season, are the hottest team entering the postseason. With nine straight wins, Yokohama has found its stride at the best time as the hunt for a title begins.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
May 4, 2012

Playoffs could provide surprises in both conferences

And now, finally, it's time for the real season to tip off.
BASKETBALL
Mar 11, 2012

Strong finish propels Rizing past 89ers

Despite a strong defensive effort, the Sendai 89ers fell 67-59 to the host Rizing Fukuoka on Saturday.
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Feb 24, 2012

Knight still wonders why no team would give him shot

As the playoff chase picks up steam in the coming weeks, several bj-league general managers could be shaking their heads and asking themselves, "Why didn't I sign Billy Knight?"
Japan Times
SPORTS / SPORTS SCOPE
Feb 15, 2012

Lin's ascendancy provides a profound lesson for all

When you have been in this business for a long time, it's easy to become jaded. Players, coaches, executives and trends come and go.
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Feb 15, 2012

Opinions split on moving powerhouse Phoenix to Western Conference

There's a very real possibility that the Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix will play in the bj-league's Western Conference next season, as the league's preliminary scheduling blueprint for 2012-13 has shown. It's not official yet, but the expectation here is that it's a done deal.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Feb 5, 2012

The artist: Shimane's Davis is master of the blocked shot

"The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe that you might block every shot."
BASKETBALL
Jan 30, 2012

Parker takes control as Magic sweep Broncos

Jeral Davis' intimidating defense and Michael Parker's scoring prowess powered the Shimane Susanoo Magic to a runaway victory over the Saitama Broncos in the series opener.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Jan 27, 2012

Vets have Shiga making strong bid for trip to Final Four

The Shiga Lakestars sit three games behind the first-place Ryukyu Golden Kings in the Western Conference standings, and the 17-9 club has demonstrated it has a legitimate shot at reaching the Final Four for the first time.
BASKETBALL
Jan 21, 2012

Happinets shrug off slow start to rout sluggish Jets

You could argue that Friday night's game was the biggest contest in the brief history of the Chiba Jets, what with the Akita Northern Happinets, the Eastern Conference co-leaders, visiting town and the hosts playing their first bj-league game in nearly a month.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Jan 16, 2012

Aoki takes All-Star shooting crown from Okada

Sharpshooter Cohey Aoki, a long-distance and free-throw shooting maestro, thrilled the masses during Sunday's bj-league All-Star Game 3-Point Shooting Contest.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Jan 16, 2012

Western Conference wins bj-league All-Star matchup

As expected, the bj-league's sixth annual All-Star Game was a light-hearted affair. Sure, a few of the players broke a sweat, but the amount of defense played in the prime-time showcase was far from typical if the comparison involved a regular-season contest.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Jan 15, 2012

Some of best players show mettle when it comes to taking a charge

Dunks are basketball's flashiest plays. The in-your-face posturing, instant reactions from teammates, high-fives and chatter from the bench and the stands often follow a well-executed slam, and cable television and YouTube highlight reels make dunks an omnipresent part of modern sports culture.
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Jan 6, 2012

Big man Holm gives Albirex a powerful presence inside

What was the best offseason pickup by a bj-league team?
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Dec 2, 2011

Hannaryz building momentum in Western Conference

In the rugged Western Conference, the Kyoto Hannaryz face a rough road ahead in their quest to reach the Final Four for the first time in franchise history.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Nov 18, 2011

Parmer not panicking over Hamamatsu's slow start

Jeffrey Parmer realizes the two-time defending champion Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix are a work in progress.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Oct 26, 2011

For Yokohama star Simmons, the defense never rests

It shouldn't be shocking when team leaders are mirror images of their head coaches or managers.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / ONE-ON-ONE WITH ...
Sep 18, 2011

Energetic leader Nakamura looks to build special team in Akita

The Japan Times features periodic interviews with personalities in the bj-league. Coach Kazuo Nakamura of the Akita Northern Happinets is the subject of this week's profile.
BASKETBALL
Sep 17, 2011

Jets sign hard-working center Moliva

Gaston Moliva is the expansion Chiba Jets' latest signing, the bj-league club revealed Friday.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Sep 9, 2011

Geary looking forward to coaching B-Corsairs

Reggie Geary brings a big smile, lots of energy, a well-rounded basketball background and a desire to build a winner as he steps into the spotlight as the first coach in Yokohama B-Corsairs history.
BASKETBALL
Aug 25, 2011

Broncos sign ex-Mountaineer Flowers

Forward John Flowers, who started 33 games for the West Virginia Mountaineers last season, will play for the Saitama Broncos for the 2011-12 campaign, the bj-league team announced on Wednesday.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Aug 23, 2011

Hawaii mulling NCAA football game in Japan

Perhaps the idea is like a third-and-1 at this point, but the University of Hawaii is trying to make it a first down.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Aug 5, 2011

Aoki, Joho unsigned with training camp on horizon

Five-time All-Star Cohey Aoki hasn't played a bj-league game since March 10, the day before the Great East Japan Earthquake, when the Tokyo Apache and Akita Northern Happinets squared off at Yoyogi National Gymnasium No. 2.
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Jul 29, 2011

Ishizaki set to play in Germany's second-tier league

Japan national team guard Takumi Ishizaki will lace up his sneakers in the German Pro A League in 2011-12, German media reported this week.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Jun 25, 2011

Tyler goes in 2nd round before trade to Warriors

Former Tokyo Apache forward/center Jeremy Tyler has a new home in northern California.
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Jun 24, 2011

Prospects look grim for HeatDevils in Oita

The Oita HeatDevils' budgetary woes aren't surprising to longtime observers of the league. But the temerity with which they begged fans for money to help them make ends meet for the 2011-12 season caught people's attention over the weekend.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Jun 8, 2011

Apache pull plug on 2011-12 season

Due to financial problems, the Tokyo Apache have suspended operations for the bj-league's 2011-12 season, it was announced on Tuesday.
BASKETBALL
May 29, 2011

Apache's Hill to work in Taiwan

Tokyo Apache head coach Bob Hill, a veteran sideline supervisor of four NBA teams, told The Japan Times on Saturday he's accepted a position as a consultant for the Taiwan men's national basketball team's coaching staff for the summer.

Longform

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With Hall of Fame induction, Ichiro makes himself heard loud and clear