The 11th and final bj-league season gets underway on Friday night, signaling an end to several months of massive changes within the league.
Meanwhile, three proud franchises — the reigning champion Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix, Osaka Evessa and Ryukyu Golden Kings — have a shot at breaking the deadlock for most titles (three) before the book is closed on this colorful chapter in Japanese basketball history.
The Evessa haven't won a title since league legends and frontcourt stars Jeff Newton and Lynn Washington, now both retired, teamed up to guide the club to a three-peat from 2005-08.