Nonstop growth, inept management were constant problems throughout the bj-league's 11 seasons
Second in a two-part series Throughout its rocky 11-season history, mismanagement was often at the heart of the bj-league's biggest problems. The league grew so fast (from six to eight to 10 to 12 to 13 to . . . eventually 24 teams this past season ...
Kawachi takes role with new league
For 11 seasons, Toshimitsu Kawachi was the face of the bj-league. As the only commissioner in league history, he was the front man for the league's growth from six teams in the 2005-06 season to 24 clubs this past season as well as its ...
McHenry revels in Golden Kings' legacy
Winning a title to close out the Ryukyu Golden Kings' remarkable stretch of sustained excellence in the bj-league put a huge smile on Golden Kings legend Anthony McHenry's face. Like the rest of his teammates, McHenry's post-game mood was euphoric on Sunday, when the Golden ...
League blows chance to honor Aoki
It's absolutely ridiculous that the most popular player in bj-league history is not going to play in the circuit's 10th and final All-Star Game. But it's not surprising. Really, it isn't. The bj-league has often failed to do things logically. And it's often failed to capitalize ...
JBA announces preseason exhibition showcase between top NBL, bj-league teams
Last season's four championship finalists from the NBL and bj-league will compete on Sept. 13 in Tokyo, the Japan Basketball Association announced on Monday. In the event, dubbed the "NBL-bj-league Dream Games," the NBL champion Aisin SeaHorses and bj-league winner Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix will square ...
Gunma completes sweep over lowly Saitama
Since an 0-9 start this season, the Gunma Crane Thunders have made a dramatic turnaround. They've gone 15-12 since that long losing streak, including an 84-71 victory over the visiting Saitama Broncos on Friday night. Gunma (15-21) has won three consecutive games to climb into seventh ...
Despite facing an expected suspension from FIBA, Japan Basketball Association acting president Mitsuru Maruo insisted that the country's governing body would not stop trying to address and fix its problems, including the unification of the nation's two men's top leagues. Such strong words. But many ...
Japan Basketball Association-led merger talks still face major obstacles
Toshimitsu Kawachi, the bj-league commissioner, said that the organizing committee for a unified professional basketball league in Japan has discussed things "constructively." But he also said, "we don't know what's going to happen." It sounds like the future is still cloudy. But one thing is for ...
Japan Basketball Association officials said that they would actively keep discussing how to overcome the differences between the nation's top two leagues in order to establish a new professional hoops circuit in two years. Hopefully they will really be able to unite the two circuits, ...
Kawachi appointed to JBA board
Toshimitsu Kawachi, the commissioner of the bj-league since its establishment in 2004, on Saturday was appointed to the Japan Basketball Association board, which has been tasked with forming the new, tentatively named P League for the 2016-17 season. To take a step forward, the bj-league ...
Webb hit with record ban for kicking opponent in head
Niigata forward Rodney Webb, who made his bj-league debut in 2007, was handed the biggest suspension in league history on Tuesday night. The 30-year-old Florida Atlantic product has been suspended for the final 12 games of the regular season and the postseason plus a $1,000 ...
Kusaka's All-Star selection a disservice to more deserving
Being picked as an All-Star starter should be reserved for players having All-Star-caliber seasons. Sure, the popularity of a player factors into the equation, but there's no legitimate reason for a player who has basically become an afterthought to be named an All-Star starter. Unfortunately, bj-league ...
