Even after his team’s 2020-21 season was brought to a close with a series sweep, Osaka Evessa veteran Ira Brown seemed satisfied with their first-ever B. League playoff appearance.
“No, I feel pretty good for what we’ve accomplished,” the forward said after their 84-73 loss to the Kawasaki Brave Thunders at Ookini Arena Maishima on Sunday. “It was the first time that Osaka has made playoffs. We had a lot of adversity. So I mean, for us to make the playoffs, I think it’s a huge accomplishment.
“We had what, seven to eight rookies? And then also a rookie head coach. You can’t ask for more than what we did throughout the season. I thought that we had a chance of beating Kawasaki but in order to beat a great team, you have to have everything go right for you — whether defense and offense, (or) the coach making the right (decisions) for the team. There’s a lot of things which come into play in a situation like this, so I don’t have any regrets on where we ended the season.”