Alvark coach Luka Pavicevic instills confidence with his approach
There was a recurring theme game after game during the Alvark Tokyo's march to their second consecutive B. League title. Trust amplifies winning. As much as anything, trust defined the 2018-19 Alvark squad. Head coach Luka Pavicevic set the tone with savvy game plans and confidence-building strategies. ...
Jets star Yuki Togashi named B. League MVP
The Chiba Jets Funabashi's diminutive star guard Yuki Togashi just won the biggest individual accolade of his basketball career. The 25-year-old Togashi was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2018-19 season at the B. League Award Show at the Roppongi Hills Arena on Wednesday ...
Alvark prevail in title thriller
A year ago, the Alvark Tokyo built a 10-point cushion by halftime, then overwhelmed the Chiba Jets Funabashi in the second half of the B. League Championship Final, winning by 25 points. Saturday's showdown was a two-point game at the break. This time, Tokyo's 19-point lead ...
Alvark, Jets set for battle in title tilt
Two powerhouse East Division teams are right where they want to be. The Alvark Tokyo need one more victory to capture back-to-back B. League titles, while the Chiba Jets Funabashi can claim their first league title by avenging last May's 85-60 defeat to the Alvark ...
Niigata hopes to take momentum into playoffs
Niigata Albirex BB coach Kazuhiro Shoji has been in an enviable position throughout the season. Since the Albirex opener in October, Shoji hasn't had a legitimate reason to make wholesale changes to his starting lineup. Instead, the names of veteran guards Kei Igarashi and Shinsuke Kashiwagi, ...
Toyama looks to improve defense
The Toyama Grouses, one of B. League's premier offensive clubs, present a formidable challenge for opposing defenses. They put points on the board in a hurry. The Grouses are No. 2 in the 18-team first division in scoring (84.3 points per game). They also have a ...
Pro basketball has taken Alvark forward Milko Bjelica around the globe
Milko Bjelica grew up watching a who's who of great players from the former Yugoslavia. The Alvark Tokyo big man mentioned former NBA standouts Vlade Divac and Peja Stojakovic plus longtime Europe-based player Dejan Bodiroga among those who've helped him shape his game. Now, in the ...
Alvark stick to game plan to beat Brave Thunders
Successful coaches aren't always obsessed with changing their game plan. After preparations were made for a weekend series against the Kawasaki Brave Thunders, Alvark Tokyo bench boss Luka Pavicevic didn't feel a need to flip the script for Sunday's series finale. Even after a 79-66 ...
Patrick Baumann's profound impact on basketball will live on
Global basketball is a far-flung enterprise with 213 national federations and complexities that don't easily mesh into a single entity. Successful leaders, especially at the top, are vital to create meaningful bonds, improve governance and deal with problems. And some leaders are irreplaceable. That much ...
Bob Nash takes over helm for Fukuoka
New Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka management decided a change was needed after the winless team's weekend setbacks. Head coach Ryuji Kawai, who was in his second season in charge, was dismissed on Monday, a day after the team fell to 0-7 by dropping a 73-53 decision ...
Alvark defense smothers Brave Thunders to complete weekend sweep
The defending champion Alvark Tokyo refuse to accept complacency as a chief trait of their 2018-19 campaign. Instead, relentless defense and smart, effective offense are characteristics that shine through on the court for Tokyo bench boss Luka Pavicevic's club. Furthermore, the weekend showdown with the ...
Alvark usher in new season with narrow victory over Sunrockers
The defending B. League champion Alvark Tokyo opened their new season with a down-to-the-wire victory over the Sunrockers Shibuya on Saturday afternoon in Tachikawa. Star center Alex Kirk led the way with 27 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, in Tokyo's 73-71 triumph. Alvark mainstay ...
