Rebuilding a team from scratch is never expected to be a simple task. There are countless examples that it takes hard work and patience to accomplish this, including in the NBA this season with team president Phil Jackson's New York Knicks.

In the bj-league, the Shimane Susanoo Magic are also working to return to respectability.

It hasn't been easy. After going 11-41 last season, they lost their first 11 games this season, but finally broke through with a victory on Sunday, an 83-63 decision over the host Fukushima Firebonds.