Based on recent success, the Kyoto Hannaryz and defending champion Ryukyu Golden Kings are the high-profile powerhouse teams of the Western Conference.
Kyoto, a Final Four participant in each of the past three seasons, takes a 21-3 record into the last week of 2014; Ryukyu (18-4) is in familiar territory near the top of the pack.
And in between them, the Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix (21-3) are off to their best start in several seasons.