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 ...
Shooting guard Naoto Tsuji's return from shoulder injury a big boost for Brave Thunders
The Kawasaki Brave Thunders desperately needed this man to make a championship run — Naoto Tsuji. Tsuji returned to the court for the first time in an official B. League game on Wednesday since suffering a dislocated left shoulder in a Nov. 23 contest against ...
Brave Thunders focused on positive start to season
There might not be many teams that are as motivated as the Kawasaki Brave Thunders to have a great start to the 2017-18 season. Kawasaki was the runner-up to the Tochigi Brex in the inaugural B. League Championship in May. On Friday night, the Brave Thunders ...
Kawasaki, Tochigi to clash in B. League final
The inaugural B. League championship pits two teams with established stars, deep benches, up-and-coming players, accomplished coaches and growing fan bases. What's more, Saturday afternoon's Kawasaki Brave Thunders-Tochigi Brex showdown presents a clash of styles. The top-seeded Brave Thunders were the league's top offense (84.3 points ...
Brave Thunders too strong for Alvark in Game 1 of semifinals
Overcoming a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter against any foe is a big challenge. To do so in the final 10 minutes against a team that won 49 of 60 regular-season games was the even greater challenge the Alvark Tokyo faced in Game 1 ...
Brave Thunders, Alvark renew rivalry with trip to title game on the line
When the Kawasaki Brave Thunders and Alvark Tokyo square off in the B. League Championship semifinals on Friday and Saturday, expect the foes to display physical, hard-nosed basketball. But it's not just because it's the postseason, but also because of their longtime rivalry. Japanese players are ...
Brave Thunders' Fazekas reaping rewards of shooting practice
Nick Fazekas is a big fella, and it certainly gives him an advantage playing basketball. But that alone doesn't make the 31-year-old one of the B. League's exceptional players. His phenomenal shooting skills set him apart from others in the men's top hoop circuit in ...
Kawasaki's Shinoyama expanding all-around game at point guard
Point guard is arguably the most demanding position in basketball because you are asked to do multiple tasks and lead your team, fully using your brain. Kawasaki Brave Thunders floor leader Ryusei Shinoyama is a good example, with the challenges of his position always in ...
Quality coaches competing for top accolade
Who's the leading candidate to be named the B. League's coach of the year for the first time in the 18-team top division? It's a real roll of the dice entering the final weekend of April. In other words, it still appears to be a wide-open ...
Brave Thunders keen to learn lesson
With the best record in the entire league right now, the Kawasaki Brave Thunders have a legit chance to win the inaugural B. League championship. But that doesn't mean they're about to let their guard down. The bitter experience they suffered two years ago taught ...
Fazekas, Spangler shine for Kawasaki
A season ago, established stars Nick Fazekas and Naoto Tsuji set the tone for the then-Toshiba Brave Thunders in the final NBL season. From a statistical standpoint, they were the driving force behind the team's championship. Consider the dynamic duo's performances in the decisive Game ...
Brave Thunders ride momentum to wrap up NBL title
The Toshiba Brave Thunders are the last men standing in the NBL. The Kawasaki-based club showed lots of resilience and energy in winning the final three games of the best-of-five NBL Finals, clinching the title with a 76-70 victory in Game 5 over the Aisin ...
