Kyoto's Kotzur deft with both hands
There's no rule, written or spoken, that requires basketball players to have the ability to shoot with both hands. It doesn't hurt, though. In fact, the ability to put points on the board with both paws only complicates matters for individual defenders and opponents. Many players, though, ...
Katakami preps teams for media
Credit the B. League for making an earnest effort to raise the professional reputation of men's basketball in Japan. Elevating the sport is not just about having the former NBL, NBDL and bj-league teams under one umbrella. Little things that may go unnoticed to the ...
As the summer marches on and the start of training camp gets closer and closer, it appears that the defending champion Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix will not have a roster resembling the one that captured the title in May. Star guard Nile Murry, the playoff MVP ...
Title aspirations collide for Final Four teams
This time, there's a new look on the grand stage. In the upstart circuit's 10th Final Four, three of the four participants have a shot at winning a title for the first time, while the other club could claim its third championship and become the ...
'Coach Crusher' likes Hamamatsu's chances going into Final Four
The Japan Times features periodic interviews with personalities in the bj- league. Coach Tomoya Higashino of the Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix is the subject of this week's profile.
Do-it-all forward Charlo having special season for title-chasing Phoenix
Mo Charlo's name isn't a long-winded, multisyllabic tongue-twister. It's easy to say — and easy to remember. And for those who follow the bj-league, it's been easy to remember what Charlo has done game after game this season. Simply put, he's dominated. The University of Nevada ...
Western conference triumvirate playing at high level
Based on recent success, the Kyoto Hannaryz and defending champion Ryukyu Golden Kings are the high-profile powerhouse teams of the Western Conference. Kyoto, a Final Four participant in each of the past three seasons, takes a 21-3 record into the last week of 2014; Ryukyu ...
Consistent Murry helps Hamamatsu get off to fast start
Four teams have opened the season with 7-1 records: Iwate and Toyama in the East and Hamamatsu and Kyoto from the West. Shiga, meanwhile, coming off a bye week, is 5-1. The Phoenix's super start under veteran coach Tomoya Higashino is the result of new ...
