The Niigata Albirex BB don't have a player in the league's top 10 in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals or blocks.
But the Albirex, one of the league's two flagship franchises along with the perennial struggling Saitama Broncos, have quality roster depth and a high basketball IQ. And they play with veteran poise.
Second-year bench boss Fujitaka Hiraoka’s squad has won seven straight games and 12 of its past 13 to improve to 33-15, tied with the Sendai 89ers for the third-best record in the Eastern Conference.