Lockdown defense fuels championship teams.

Defense was a key component of the Ryukyu Golden Kings' three championship teams, first in the 2008-09 season, then again in the 2011-12 campaign and repeated last season.

The league's rapid growth — nonstop expansion for a decade has made statistical analysis a bit tricky, what with watered-down rosters for many clubs — but there's no denying the longtime consistency of Ryukyu's pursuit of defensive domination.