JBL/BJ-League 2010-2011 Season

[CKR13]

Former New York Nets, San Antonio Spurs, Seattle Sonics and Indiana Pacers head coach and newly appointed Tokyo Apache Head Coach Bob Hill has been given a special consultant post by the Japanese Basketball Association through the administration of the BJ League. Also his son, Casey Hill was given a post.


Hill's deep pool of basketball contacts — scouts, agents, coaches, front-office executives could not only help the BJ League but also the efforts on the JBA's part. said one JBA Official.


"I have no idea what impact I will have on Japanese basketball," he said. "I hope that my many years of experience will have positive and lasting effects. I always believe that we have an obligation in coaching to share and help each other when possible. said Bob Hill

[CKR13]

Japan should naturalize 6'11 forward Jeremy Tyler who is set to play under coach Bob Hill of the Tokyo Apache on the BJ League.

[mayfel]

Japan should naturalize 6'11 forward Jeremy Tyler who is set to play under coach Bob Hill of the Tokyo Apache on the BJ League.

plus the fact that he is only 19 years of age..japan will be lucky if they can naturalized tyler

[CKR13]

plus the fact that he is only 19 years of age..japan will be lucky if they can naturalized tyler

It's just wishful thinking on my part. Nothing on the works here. But I'll be posting when a credible lead has been confirmed.

[CKR13]

A 22-30 record on the 2009-2010 BJ-League Season, the Tokyo Apache are seriously rebuilding for the coming season with former San Antonio Spurs and NBA Veteran Head Coach Bob Hill in tow and signing a big name, the volatile Jeremy Tyler who played in Israel last year. Mixed expectations are set for next season.

Tokyo Apache 2010-2011 Coaching Staff*

Head Coach Bob Hill
Assistant Coach Casey Hill
Assistant Coach Kanbe Kogase
Assistant Coach Mathew Rhodes

*Subject to change

Current Tokyo Apache for 2010-2011 Roster*

F Michael Chappell 6'9
F Jeremy Tyler 6'10
G Kensuke Tanaka 6'2
G Kimura Osamu 6'1
F Itakura Reina 6'4

*Subject to change

All-Star Center Julius Ashby will not be back.
Guard Darren Satoshi Maki has yet to re-sign.

[rikhardur]

Is BJ League the Japanese second division? JBL the first?

[CKR13]

Is BJ League the Japanese second division? JBL the first?

The BJ-League was formed to compete against the JBL. The JBL has a second division called JBL-2. The two leagues have seen players jumped back in forth in recent years.

The efforts of the JBA on merging the JBL and BJ-League are still in very questionable status.

[rikhardur]

So what league actually represents Japan?

[CKR13]

So what league actually represents Japan?

Both represent Japan as Japans' Professional Basketball Leagues. The Japanese National Team is composed of JBL players exclusively in recent years.

[rikhardur]

Which would you say has the best level? I usually see BJ League news and only a few for JBL.

[CKR13]

Which would you say has the best level? I usually see BJ League news and only a few for JBL.

The JBL is the most talented league in terms of local and foreign players as imports playing, no doubt. The BJ-League Teams though competitive only has talented local guards that teams from JBL covet. But the BJ-League has been amassing Talented Imports for the last two years.

Overall:

JBL Local Talent > BJ-League Local (Talent-wise)

JBL Imports = BJ-League Imports (Talent-wise)

[CKR13]

The most intriguing player scenario is Jeremy Tyler as I'm wondering how Head Coach Bob Hill will handle Tyler or how well Tyler will respond to Hill's coaching.

[CKR13]

C Jeremy Tyler
F Michael Chappell
F Itakura Reina
G (?)
G *

I recommend they need the following for their bench:

6 *Kimura Osamu
7
8
9
10
11
12

Kimura Osamu is not a point-guard. He's an undersized shooting-guard.
This team is still far from competitive form. There are GLARING needs on the roster to fill ASAP.

[sinobball]

The JBL is the most talented league in terms of local and foreign players as imports playing, no doubt. The BJ-League Teams though competitive only has talented local guards that teams from JBL covet. But the BJ-League has been amassing Talented Imports for the last two years.

Overall:

JBL Local Talent > BJ-League Local (Talent-wise)

JBL Imports = BJ-League Imports (Talent-wise)I agree with your assessment, but remember BJ-league teams can field 4 imports at once on the floor, which vastly improves the league quality. JBL on the other hand only has 2 imports per team, and there might be a time limit. I believe BJ-league can kick JBL teams ass if both teams play like they play during the regular season, just because of the differential use of imports.

[CKR13]

I would like to welcome the newest franchise for the BJ-League Expansion: Akita Northern Happinets with headcoach Bob Pierce in tow.

[CKR13]

Osaka Evessa signs veteran forward William Knight formerly of Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix, the BJ-League 2009-2010 Champions. Knight averaged 19.6 points per game and drained 39.5 percent of his 3-point shots. He also averaged 5.3 rebounds in 47 games.

[CKR13]

Rizing Fukuoka has signed All-Around point guard Nile Murray formerly of Osaka Evessa.

Murray will join high-scoring forward Michael Parker and speedy point guard Akitomo Takeno. What I like about Murray is that he can play and thrive as an undersize two guard in which Takeno can still retain his job.

[CKR13]

BJ-League:

Saitama Broncos signed Veteran American forward Gordon Klaiber.

[CKR13]

BJ-League News

Kyoto Hannaryz have signed former Detroit U guard Darryl Hudson.


Great signing as Hudson can really shoot from beyond the arc and will complement Kyoto's Kazeyu Hyuga on the guard spot. Darryl's cousin Lester Hudson played for the Memphis Grizzles last season as Darryl played on New Zealand last season.

Tokyo Apache has re-signed Guard Darin Satoshi Maki and signs center Kendall Dartez of formerly of Louisville.


JBL News

My Reira Kamui Hokkaido has finalized the contract of Joe Bryant's contract for the upcoming 2010-2011 Season. The contract is set for three years.

Joe "Jelly-Bean" Bryant is the father of Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant.

[CKR13]

JBL News

Rera Kamui Hokkaido have signed NBDL standout center Chris Ayer who played for the Tulsa 66ers last season. Kamui also have signed Swedish forward Christian Maraker formerly of University of the Pacific on the NCAA and played for Union Olimpijia.

Maraker and Ayer will be a big help to our stars Daiji Yamada and Ryota Sakurai.

BJ-League News

Saitama Broncos signed former Hampton University (VA) center Bruce Brown and have signed former University of Hawaii guard Bobby Nash.

Bobby Nash is the son of Saitama Broncos new head coach Bob Nash.

Good signings in all as Saitama filled in gaps from last season in:

PF Gordon Klaiber
C Bruce Brown
SG Bobby Nash

[CKR13]

The Tokyo Apache roster has been completed with a host of re-signings and signings for the past two weeks.

Takanori Goya 6'2
Kendall Dartez 6'10
Minoru Kimura 6'1
Jeremy Tyler 6'11
Kensuke Tanaka 6'2
Darin Satoshi Maki 5'9
Cohey Aoki 5'6
Reina Itakura 6'4
Tomoya Nakamura 6'6
Michael Chapel 6'9
Jumpei Namaka 6'3

I recommend signing another solid wingman to help Nakamura on the flank. Free agents like Kouiji Fugase or american forward Chris Whitey.

[CKR13]

My Rera Kamui Hokkaido has signed veteran guard and former national team star Takehiko Orimo to a 2 year extension.

Orimo's clutch shooting is priceless and at age 41, still one of the best conditioned athletes in Japan.

[CKR13]

BJ-League

Oita Heat Devils signs former West Virginia forward Wellington Smith. Smith was a part of the West Virginia team that made it to the NCAA Final Four in 2010.

[CKR13]

BJ-League News

Sendai 89ers have re-signed All-Star Center Chris Holm. Holm averaged 13.6 ppg, 13.8 rpg 3.2 apg and 1.4 bpg last season for the 89ers.

JBL News

guard Mitsui Akira have been signed by Hitachi Sun Rockers.

[CKR13]

BJ-League News

Evessa Osaka signs guard Gouki Kitamura.

Toyama Grouses signs former Girikkushu FC center Kyle Matthew

JBL News

Reigning JBL Champions Tochigi Brex Links will be playing a series of games against the following Korean Basketball Teams before the JBL 2010-2011 Season starts


Busan KT Sonic Boom August 28, 2010 (Sat)
Venue: Gymnasium, Tochigi Prefecture, north (Otawara, Tochigi Prefecture Mihara 3-2-62)


Uonjutonbu (Dongbu) Promy September 5, 2010 (Sun)
Venue: southern Tochigi Prefectural Gymnasium (371-1 Tojō Oyama, Tochigi Prefecture)

Note: People not wearing shoes will not be admitted.:p

[dxjayrock2008]

My Rera Kamui Hokkaido has signed veteran guard and former national team star Takehiko Orimo to a 2 year extension.

Orimo's clutch shooting is priceless and at age 41, still one of the best conditioned athletes in Japan.


Is Orimo the one who looks like Rustom Padilla AKA BB Gandanghari? Lol. :D

[CKR13]

JBL News

Hitachi Sun-Rockers guard Hirokazu Suga has announced his retirement.

BJ-League News

Guard Daiji Matsuda have signed with Takamatsu Faibuarozu

[CKR13]

BJ-League News

Niigata Albirex has signed the following:

Senegal forward Konare Issa
former CB Peñas Huesca forward / center Zach Andrews
former Rera Kamui Hokkaido center Julius Ashby

JBL News

The Japanese Basketball League has released the 2010-2011 Schedule (http://www.jbl.or.jp/schedule/).

[CKR13]

BJ-League

Takamatsu Faibuarozu sends forward Shouji Kazuhiro to the Nozanhapinettsu Akita and Akita signs Kazuhiro to a 1 year deal.


Shimane Susanoomajikku signs forward Shouhei Nakama and signs guard Yabuuchi Kouki.


Shiga Reikusutazu have signed former Texas Tech standout and forward Mikey Marshall. Shiga also signs journeyman center Gary Hamilton, a product of the University of Miami.


My Tokyo Apache have signed former Oklahoma State guard Byron Eaton and have signed former Seattle SuperSonics / Oklahoma City Thunder center Robert Swift to a 2 year deal.

[CKR13]

Tokyo Apache's roster has finally been completed after the signing of Byron Eaton and Robert Swift. Swift is counted as a local.

Takanori Goya 6'2
Kendall Dartez 6'10
Minoru Kimura 6'1
Jeremy Tyler 6'11
Kensuke Tanaka 6'2
Darin Satoshi Maki 5'9
Cohey Aoki 5'6
Reina Itakura 6'4
Tomoya Nakamura 6'6
Michael Chapel 6'9
Jumpei Namaka 6'3
Byron Eaton 5'11
Robert Swift 7'0

If plans push thru, the Tokyo Apache Team will be flying to Los Angeles, California to work out on the Staples Center. One of the perks of Evolution Capital Finance Group.:)

It was in January that the Tokyo Apache was in total disarray, but enter the last half of the year, the Tokyo Apache is looking like a contender.

[mayfel]

BJ-League


My Tokyo Apache have signed former Oklahoma State guard Byron Eaton and have signed former Seattle SuperSonics / Oklahoma City Thunder center Robert Swift to a 2 year deal.

now that swift is already in japan expect that the japanese basketball federation to talk with swift regarding his japanese ancestry

[CKR13]

now that swift is already in japan expect that the japanese basketball federation to talk with swift regarding his japanese ancestry

welcome back mayfel. :)

Robert Swift has forwarded his birth certificate and his parent's birth certificate to the Japanese Immigration Authority as well as the BJ-League Administration prior to the signing on which confirms his Japanese lineage. Meaning his stint has been cleared.

At this moment, the Japanese Basketball Association (JABBA) have not contacted Swift.

[CKR13]

The JBL All-Star Game will be held in Gunma Prefecture, Gunma Arena on December 23, 2010.

[dxjayrock2008]

Robert Swift



Robert Swift
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Replace_this_image_male.svg) Free agent (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_agent) Center (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_%28basketball%29) Personal information Date of birth December 3, 1985 (1985-12-03) (age 24) Place of birth Bakersfield, California (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakersfield,_California) Nationality American (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States) High school Garces Memorial (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garces_Memorial_High_School),
Bakersfield (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakersfield_High_School) Listed height 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) Listed weight 270 lb (122 kg) Career information NBA Draft (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Draft) 2004 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_NBA_Draft) / 12th overall Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_SuperSonics) Pro career 2004–present Career history Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder) (2004-2009)
Bakersfield Jam (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakersfield_Jam) (2009) Robert Swift (born December 3, 1985, in Bakersfield, California (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakersfield,_California)) is an American (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States) professional basketball (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball) player who last played for the Bakersfield Jam (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakersfield_Jam) of the NBDL (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBDL). He stands 7 feet 1 inches tall and plays the center (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_%28basketball%29) position.
Contents

[hide (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#)]


1 High school (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#High_school)
2 College (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#College)
3 NBA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#NBA)
4 NBDL (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#NBDL)
5 NBA career statistics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#NBA_career_statistics)

5.1 Regular season (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#Regular_season)

6 Notes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#Notes)
7 External links (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#External_links)

High school

Swift caught the attention of NBA and college scouts while playing for Garces Memorial High School (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garces_Memorial_High_School), and then later as the centerpiece of the Bakersfield High School (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakersfield_High_School) team.
During his time at Garces, the small Catholic high school broke into the USA Today (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_Today) top-25 high school basketball team rankings. Between his junior and senior years, Swift transferred from Garces to Highland High School (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_High_School_%28Bakersfield,_California%29 ), and then just before his senior year, he transferred once more into Bakersfield High School. This move provoked a hearing by the California Interscholastic Federation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Interscholastic_Federation) that initially declared Swift ineligible for the 2003–04 season; however it was later overturned and he played his senior season.[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#cite_note-0)
College

In 2004, Swift bypassed college and opted for the NBA, turning down his commitment to play for USC (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Southern_California).
NBA

Swift was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_SuperSonics) in the first round with the twelfth overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_NBA_Draft). Robert Swift, whose father is half Japanese (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_people) (Okinawan), was the first player of Caucasian or Asian descent to be drafted straight out of high school. [2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#cite_note-1)
In his first season he played in 16 games, averaging 4.5 minutes, 0.9 points, 0.4 rebounds, and 0.4 blocks per game. In his second season, under the direction of coach Bob Hill (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Hill), he started 20 out of 47 games, averaging 21 minutes, 6.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.19 blocks per game.
In 2006 Swift was awarded the starting job at center but disaster struck when he ruptured the ACL (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anterior_crucial_ligament) in his right knee after playing just over one minute in a pre-season game vs the Sacramento Kings (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento_Kings). The resulting injury occurred when he twisted his right knee when he fell and went out of bounds awkwardly in front of the Seattle bench.[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#cite_note-2) Swift suffered another injury to his right knee in February 2008, a torn lateral meniscus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateral_meniscus)[4] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#cite_note-3).
On December 22 2009, the Oklahoma City Thunder (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder) renounced the rights to Swift.[5] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#cite_note-4)
NBDL

In 2009, Swift joined the Bakersfield Jam (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakersfield_Jam) of the NBDL (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBDL).[6] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#cite_note-5) However, he left the team for personal reasons after appearing in two games.[7] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#cite_note-6)
NBA career statistics

Legend GP Games played GS Games started MPG Minutes per game FG% Field-goal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_goal_%28basketball%29) percentage 3P% 3-point field-goal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-point_field_goal) percentage FT% Free-throw (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_throw) percentage RPG Rebounds (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebound_%28basketball%29) per game APG Assists (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assist_%28basketball%29) per game SPG Steals (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steal_%28basketball%29) per game BPG Blocks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_%28basketball%29) per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high Regular season

Yearhttp://bits.wikimedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/sort_none.gif (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#) Teamhttp://bits.wikimedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/sort_none.gif (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#) GPhttp://bits.wikimedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/sort_none.gif (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#) GShttp://bits.wikimedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/sort_none.gif (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#) MPGhttp://bits.wikimedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/sort_none.gif (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#) FG%http://bits.wikimedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/sort_none.gif (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#) 3P%http://bits.wikimedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/sort_none.gif (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#) FT%http://bits.wikimedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/sort_none.gif (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#) RPGhttp://bits.wikimedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/sort_none.gif (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#) APGhttp://bits.wikimedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/sort_none.gif (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#) SPGhttp://bits.wikimedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/sort_none.gif (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#) BPGhttp://bits.wikimedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/sort_none.gif (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#) PPGhttp://bits.wikimedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/sort_none.gif (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#) 2004–05 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004%E2%80%9305_NBA_season) Seattle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_SuperSonics) 16 0 4.5 .455 .000 .556 .3 .1 .1 .4 .9 2005–06 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005%E2%80%9306_NBA_season) Seattle 47 20 21.0 .515 .000 .582 5.6 .2 .3 1.2 6.4 2007–08 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007%E2%80%9308_NBA_season) Seattle 8 4 12.3 .353 .000 1.000 2.3 .1 .6 .8 1.8 2008-09 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008-09_NBA_season) Oklahoma City (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder) 26 10 13.2 .521 .000 .750 3.4 .3 .2 .6 3.3 Career
97 34 15.5 .506 .000 .610 3.9 .3 .2 .8 4.3 Notes



^ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#cite_ref-0) Hurst, Matt (2003-11-26). "Swift happy to focus on hoops" (http://www.kingdomofthesun.net/bakersfield.com%20%20Sports%20%20High%20School.htm ). The Bakersfield Californian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bakersfield_Californian). http://www.kingdomofthesun.net/bakersfield.com%20%20Sports%20%20High%20School.htm . Retrieved 2006-06-12.
^ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#cite_ref-1) http://www.rafu.com/en/2009/0131/sports.html
^ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#cite_ref-2) Swift hurts knee, Watson loses teeth, but Sonics win (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=261025025), October 25, 2006
^ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#cite_ref-3) Robert Swift out for season (http://basketboltr.net/2008/02/29/robert-swift-out-for-season/)
^ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#cite_ref-4) http://www.shamsports.com/content/pages/teams/thunder.jsp#transactions
^ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#cite_ref-5) Robert Swift: Home again (http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x239122641/Home-again). Retrieved on November 16, 2009.
^ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Swift#cite_ref-6) Jam doesn't expect Swift to play again (http://www.bakersfield.com/news/sports/jam/x113237642/Jam-doesnt-expect-Swift-to-play-again). Retrieved on December 23, 2009.


External links



Robert Swift Info Page (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/robert_swift) at NBA.com (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA.com)
Robert Swift Statistics (http://www.basketball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?search=Robert+Swift) at Basketball-Reference.com

[CKR13]

BJ-League News

Former Japanese National Team coach Zeljko Pavlicevic will coach the Shimane Susanoo Magic.

[mayfel]

welcome back mayfel. :)

Robert Swift has forwarded his birth certificate and his parent's birth certificate to the Japanese Immigration Authority as well as the BJ-League Administration prior to the signing on which confirms his Japanese lineage. Meaning his stint has been cleared.

At this moment, the Japanese Basketball Association (JABBA) have not contacted Swift.

thank you CKR13

so swift will play as local in the BJ-League???
it nice to see swift playing for the national team of Japan even though it will mean as an another obstacle for the Philippine team,,nice to see Asia to become more competitive in terms of basketball

[CKR13]

thank you CKR13

so swift will play as local in the BJ-League???
it nice to see swift playing for the national team of Japan even though it will mean as an another obstacle for the Philippine team,,nice to see Asia to become more competitive in terms of basketball

Your welcome mayfel.:)

As of this moment, Robert Swift is counted as an "Import" but if he applies for residency on the Immigration Agency and upon approval, he can play as a local from then on.

[CKR13]

BJ-League News

The BJ-League have received 6 new team applicants for the BJ-League 2011-2012 Season:

Iwate Prefecture
Chiba
Kanagawa
Nagano Prefecture
Kagoshima Prefecture

Meanwhile, the Oita HeatDevils have signed former forward of West Virginia Wellington Smith as well as former forward of University of Minnesota Damian Johnson and signed journeyman center Rolando Howell.

[keichoi]

The bj League today announced that former NBA Player Kenny Satterfield (188cm PG) has agreed to terms to play for the SAITAMA BRONCOS this upcoming season.

http://broncos.sailog.jp/topics/2010/08/post-268f-2.html
This site is written in Japanese only

[sinobball]

So that's quite a few NBA players in BJ-league, Swift, Satterfield plus Tyler who figured to be in the NBA in a few years.

[Khalid80]

The bj League today announced that former NBA Player Kenny Satterfield (188cm PG) has agreed to terms to play for the SAITAMA BRONCOS this upcoming season.

http://broncos.sailog.jp/topics/2010/08/post-268f-2.html
This site is written in Japanese only

Kenny Saterfield played in the Lebanese League a few years back and he was great (Fast player and good shooter+slasher) I haven't heard of his news for a while though.

[CKR13]

BJ-League

Also, the Saitama Broncos also signed guard Takehiro Shiina former Link Tochigi Brex guard in the JBL.

[CKR13]

The Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins have formally introduced former Duke standout and journeyman Antonio Lang as the team's headcoach.

The Dolphins we're 8-34 on the 2009-2010 JBL season, the worst winning record last season.

[CKR13]

The Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix have signed veteran American forward Ray Nixon, played for Nanika Lati in Finland last season.

Hamamatsu also signed English Center Dzaflo Larkai of the United Kingdom. He played for the Everton Tigers on the English League last season.

Hamamatsu also signed Australian forward Justin Bowen of Sioux Falls on the NBADL team and guard Wayne Arnold, a former standout of the Tennessee State University.

Further on, Shiga ReikuSutazu have inked:

Mike Mueller, a center and a product of Winona State University.

Lamar Rice, a former guard for Kentuch Beach and former Utah Flash on the NBADL Team.

[dxjayrock2008]

The Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins have formally introduced former Duke standout and journeyman Antonio Lang as the team's headcoach.

The Dolphins we're 8-34 on the 2009-2010 JBL season, the worst winning record last season.


Antonio Lang? The former import of Red Bull Thunder in PBA?

[CKR13]

Antonio Lang? The former import of Red Bull Thunder in PBA?

Yes, Lang did had his stint on the PBA.

[dxjayrock2008]

Yes, Lang did had his stint on the PBA.


He gave the Red Bull Thunder its first PBA title back in the early 2000's. Good thing that he landed a coaching job in Japanese League.

[CKR13]

Rizing Fukuoka have signed former University of Memphis forward Jartavious Henderson.

[dxjayrock2008]

Career:
Memphis, Tenn./Ridgeway/The Patterson School
2004: Team USA Youth Development Festival (Gold Medal)
2004-2005: Ridgeway H.S: (34-5) 18.0ppg, 9.0rpg
2005-2006: The Patterson School: (38-4) #3 in the nation
2006-2007: Memphis (NCAA): 25 games: 1.6ppg, 2.2rpg
2007-2008: Memphis (NCAA): 26 games: 0.7ppg
2008-2009: Memphis (NCAA): 36 games: 2.4ppg, 3.6rpg
2009-2010: Memphis (NCAA): 23 games: 5.2ppg, 5.2rpg, FGP: 48.6%
2010: NBA Pre-Draft Workouts: Milwaukee Bucks
2010: (KBL invitation only pre-draft camp) Las Vegas, NV
2010-2011: Rizing Fukuoka (Japan-BJ League):
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Awards/Achievements:
District 15-AAA Champions -05
Region 8-AAA Champions -05
All-Metro Class AAA -05
"Best of the Preps" Player Award -05
Tennessee Class AAA State Champions -05
Tennessee Class AAA State MVP -05
Tennessee All-State -05
Derby Festival Classic -06
C-USA Regular Season Champion -07, 08, 09
C-USA Tournament Winner -07, 08, 09
NCAA Elite Eight -07
NCAA Finalist -08
C-USA Regular Season Runner-Up -10
Jartavious Henderson Ht: 6'8 Pos: 4/5
Outlook:
6'8 255lbs Monster inside. Has shown an incredible work ethic and discipline ... Worked extremely hard to redefine his body ... Very athletic skilled post player with unbelievable hands and quick feet for his size. A good passer out of the post ... Gives opponents mismatch problems with his quickness. Helped the Tigers to three-straight 30-win seasons and three-consecutive postseason appearances (3 NCAA) .. 104-10 during his three seasons. Advanced to the 2008 NCAA title game and finished all three seasons ranked in the top five of the Associated Press poll (No. 5 in 2006-07, No. 2 in 2007-08, No. 3 in 2008-09) Coming into Memphis was rated the nation's No. 22 power forward and Tennessee's No. 7 player ... Ranked the nation's No. 37 player overall by YouthPrepStars.com


http://www.eurobasket.com/photos/Niles_Pierre.jpg

[CKR13]

In an official press release, BJ-League Commissioner Toshimitsu Kawachi announced that the BJ-League will be welcoming 4 expansion teams for the BJ-League 2011-2012 season. Raising the League to 20 teams.

The following have been awarded with franchises:

Iwate
Chiba
Nagano
Kanagawa

This season, three expansion teams will be playing their first inaugural season on the BJ-League:

Miyazaki Shining Suns
Shimane Susanoo Magic
Akita Northern Happinets

[CKR13]

Kyoto Hannaryz have signed former UCLA and Los Angeles D-Fenders (NBDL) forward Michael Frey and signed center, Trinidad and Tobago native Kibwe Trim.

Meanwhile, the Takamatsu Faibuarozu have signed forward Emmanuel Willis, a product of Houston Baptist University.

[CKR13]

Takumi Ishizaki shocked the JBL by not re-signing with Toshiba Brave Thunders and instead signed with the BJ-League team Shimane Susanoo Magic under Head Coach Zeljko Pavlicevic; former National team coach.

Ishizaki is the first player from the National Team to be playing on the BJ-League.

[CKR13]

JBL Pre-Season Games Results:

Rera Kamui Hokkaido 81 Mitsubishi 110

Hitachi 79 Panasonic 87

Toshiba 82 Aishin 89

Toyota Alvark 75 Link Tochigi Brex 70

[CKR13]

The Tokyo Apache will be flying to Texas, USA to train on the Integrated Athletic Development Training Facility from September 11 to September 19, 2010.

[CKR13]

The Oita Heat Devils have signed former University of South Carolina center Rolando Howell.

The Sendai 89ers have signed former Baylor University forward Tommy Swanson.

Rising Fukuoka have signed:

Former EverGreen University forward Michael Parker.

Brazilian center and former University of Dayton standout Tiago Cordeiro.

[CKR13]

JBL Import listings:

I just copied and pasted this from asia-basket since I'm feeling lazy today.

Rera Kamuy Hokkaido
Chris Ayer (208-C-83, college: Loyola Marymount) (First JBL season, played previously for the Oita Heatdevils and Ryukyu Golden Kings of the BJ League)
Christian Maraker (206-F-82, college: Pacific) (2nd season)

Link Tochigi Brex
Scott Merritt (208-C-82, college: Marquette) (2nd season)
Randy Holcomb (204-F/C-79, agency: Edge Sports, college: San Diego St.) (2nd season, 1st with Tochigi)

Hitachi Sunrockers
Tyler Smith (203-F/C-80, college: Penn St.) (3rd season)


Toyota Alvark
Jeffrey Gibbs (1st season)
Philip Ricci (202-F-80, college: Oregon St.) (1st season)

Toshiba Brave Thunders
Cory Violette (203-C/F-82, college: Gonzaga) (3rd season)
Charles O'Bannon (11th season)

Aisin Seahorses
Josh Gross (201-F/C-83, college: NC-Greensboro) (2nd season)
Ryan Forehan-Kelly (197-F/G-80, college: California) (1st season)

Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Dolphins
Ron Hale (203-F-77, college: Florida St.) (7th season)
Ontario Lett (198-F-79, college: Pittsburgh) (1st season)

Panasonic Trians
Ace Custis (202-F-74, agency: Higher Vision Sports, college: Virginia Tech) (8th season)
Jerald Honeycutt (205-F-74, college: Tulane) (6th season)

Hitachi has yet to sign a second import. Rumor has it that it is a former NBA big-man.

[CKR13]

Rera Kamui Hokkaido have introduced their new jersey sets for the 2010-2011 JBL Season.


http://www.rerakamuy.jp/news/data/upfile/958-2.jpg

In the Back: Rera Kamui Hokkaido Head Coach Joe Bryant and part owner Peter Maglet

Front: Rera Kamui Hokkaido guard Ryota Sakurai and Toyota Alvark guard Yu Okada


Ryota Sakurai
http://www.rerakamuy.jp/news/data/upfile/958-3.jpg

[CKR13]

BJ League News:

guard Masahi Obuchi have been signed by Osaka Evessa.


Ryukyu Golden Kings has signed the following:

Former Gonzaga center Kuso Abdullahi
Former Virginia Tech forward Carlos Dixon


The Sendai 89ers have signed former Florida Atlantic University forward Mike Bell

[CKR13]

BJ League news

Osaka Evessa signs former Marquette forward Lawrence Blackledge. Blackledge was a former teammate of Miami HEAT guard Dwyane Wade.


Niigata Albirex signs former Butler forward Willie Veasley. Veasley is a former teammate of Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward.

[CKR13]

There has been a discussion regarding the allocation of league referees on this 2010-2011 season, where the BJ-League will only allocate 2 Referees for each game held while the third referee will be a non-BJL referee paid by discretion of the home team.

A PR nightmare if you ask me. Number one is the quality of officiating on the games where a "rogue referee" could be incompetent in making the calls. Allegations of "biased-officiating" for the home team will most certainly be a scandalous topic. But nothing's final yet.

BJ-League signings:

Shimane Susanoo Magic have signed former Xavier University center Will Caudle.

Miyazaki Shining Suns have signed the following:

C Brandon Cole (Xavier University)
F Corey Minnifield (Springfield Armor 09-10 season)
F Elijah Palmer (Si Tanka-Huron, SD)

Rizing Fukuoka have signed guard Jun Nakanishi

[CKR13]

BJ-League news

Akita Northern Happinets have signed the following:

F Antonio Burks from Stephen F. Austin University

G Sec Henry University of Nebraska

JBL News:

Here is the final roster for my Rera Kamui Hokkaido

G 1 Daisuke Noguchi
C 4 Joji Katsumata
G 7 Abe Tomokazu
C 8 Daiji Yamada
G 9 Takehiko Orimo
G 10 Masanobu Ito
G 11 Ryota Sakurai
G 12 Hidenori Kashiwakura
C 13 Christian Maraker
G 17 Kosuke Yahata
F 40 Chris Ayer
F 33 Kenji Hilke

Head Coach: Joe "Jelly Bean" Bryant.

[CKR13]

The Hitachi Sun Rockers have signed Cameroonian forward Alfred Aboya.

[kerouac82]

The Hitachi Sun Rockers have signed Cameroonian forward Alfred Aboya.

UCLA. Same team as Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, Luc Mbah a Moute, and Lorenzo Mata-Real. Good catch.

[CKR13]

Today, the BJ-League have announced the playoff format that was subject to be revised due to expansions of North Akita Happinets and Shimane Susanoo Magic playing in their first BJ-League season.


http://livedoor.2.blogimg.jp/bjld_2005/imgs/d/e/deb8ff67.jpg

Four Eastern Conference teams , six teams from Western Conference which the total of 10 teams advance to the playoffs.

Eastern Conference
In the conference semi- final and fourth one regular season game 1 ※ 2 made the top team in their home second and third , the winner will participate 』 [ 2 ※ 4 to the final.

Western Conference
First round , third and sixth regular season , the fourth and fifth , we match the top two teams in each home , the winner will advance to the conference semi-final.

The conference semifinal , the No. 1 regular season , made two games at home and 1 ※ second division winners of the first round , the winner will participate 』 [ 2 ※ 4 to the final . In addition, the second regular season game 1 ※ 2 made the top of the home team wins the first round , the winner will participate 』 [ 2 ※ 4 to the final .

First Round 1 ※, in the conference semifinal , when 1-1 and if the game again after the first two games ( two games ) and decides to make the game . For more information about the first three games and rules will be announced as soon as a summary decision .
2 ※ "4 "Final concentration in the same year , performed in series to one game . Conference overview will be announced at a later date

[CKR13]

Toyama Club has signed former Sioux Falls Sky-Force (NBA D-league) forward Brian Harper.

[CKR13]

Tokyo Apache forward Jeremy Tyler was featured on an artice on Sports Illustrated


Putting the teen prodigy back together again required a piece of tape. Inside the gym at Integrated Athletic Development, a complex for elite athletes outside Dallas, longtime NBA coach Bob Hill grabbed the left hand of Jeremy Tyler and began wrapping it mummy-style. Call it Correction Tape, meant to erase the flaw in Tyler's shot: The 6'11" former San Diego High legend would flick the ball with his off hand and send it on a wobbling arc. O.K., Hill told Tyler, now take a jumper. "I air-balled it 99 times, " says Tyler, recalling the workout in mid-July when he met Hill. "He took the tape off and I couldn't miss."

Once again Tyler was the can't-miss kid. At a preseason camp last week, flying around a court in a grape-purple Tokyo Apache jersey, he had found in Hill a coach willing to grab him by the hand. "I'm going to treat him exactly like I treated my sons: firm, fair and consistent," says Hill, 61, in his first season in bj-league, Japan's top level. "To be honest, he hasn't taken a lot of extra energy."

This is the same kid who was a seemingly endless labor pain in Israel. In one year Tyler went from best-in-class to cautionary tale: The first U.S.-born phenom to leave high school after his junior year for European pro ball (a blow to childhood that could be celebrated only by playground fly Sonny Vaccaro) imploded 10 games into his first season with Maccabi Haifa. On March 14, during halftime, he walked out on his team and his $140,000 deal. The Tyler Express plan—go Euro for two years until he was eligible for the NBA's 2011 draft—had gone off the rails. Tyler booked a flight to Los Angeles the next day.

Did Tyler abandon Haifa or did the organization desert him? Critiques of the kid that circulated through the European and American press seldom spared the rod. There were reports of his missing a workout and cursing at Haifa coach Avi Ashkenazi. The coach (who was replaced this spring) found him to be arrogant and questioned his dedication and toughness. Tyler was also cast as a cultural clod when neighbors complained about his playing loud music on the solemn holiday of Yom Kippur. "I wanted to publicly apologize," Tyler says, "but Coach said, 'If you do, no one will care.'" By last February, as Tyler's playing time shrank to five minutes a game, teammates grumbled about his outsized ego. After spending extra hours in the gym, which he believed would earn him a start in practice (it did not), Tyler says he encountered the last straw: He was relieved of his jersey and told to sit on the bench in street clothes. "It came to a point where I went to Coach and asked, 'Are you here to hate me or help me?' He didn't want me," Tyler recalls. "He told me that." (Haifa has since made no comment about Tyler beyond an official statement citing "personal reasons" for his departure.) "I was 18 and made mistakes," says Tyler, who admits to being humbled by the experience. "That's on me. But they knew how old I was going in."

Was Tyler not mature enough for Haifa, or was Haifa not mature enough for him? The team's management promoted him as the star of a reality show that Haifa's American owner, Jeffrey Rosen, pitched to U.S. cable outlets. Tyler was a branding tool, a lure for the next hoop-dreaming teen who wanted a foreign paycheck before an NBA deal. "The reality show wasn't reality," says Tyler. "I had to do things for the cameras, like go to the beach and play volleyball, go ride a Go Kart, walk the city. I was like, Why am I your focus when I'm not even playing?" He felt used and isolated. The support system he expected—craved—never materialized. "I was by myself most of the time," he says. All the sycophants who circled him when he signed vanished as his scoring average plunged to 2.1 points. "I didn't tell anyone I was coming back [to the U.S.]," says Tyler. "At that point I was kind of mad with everyone." He didn't land with regret, though. He had been bored by high school ball. "No second thoughts about the past," he says.

It's hard to be comfortable with Tyler's choice to ditch high school for the pros, but the NBA system, with its one-and-done structure, doesn't incentivize players to attend college, either. Young stars will seek alternative routes to the NBA, and Tyler may still be right about his path. "If he learns his lessons, he's a lottery pick," says Hill. Tyler still doesn't run the floor well or fight through fatigue, Hill adds, but he jumps higher than any player he has ever coached.

The welcome mat is out in Tokyo. Apache general manager Conor Neu, a former Princeton player, has created a family atmosphere. All players live in the same building downtown, within walking distance of the Yoyogi National Stadium. "Jeremy is part of everything we're doing," Neu says. "If you believe what you've read about Jeremy, you'd ask, What are we getting ourselves into? But in talking with him, you realize how thoughtful he is."

He's not the Baby Huey caricature drawn up overseas. He's not a finished product, either. In yet another drill to eliminate the lefthand push on Tyler's shot, assistant coach Casey Hill, Bob's son, put a quarter between Tyler's thumb and index finger. "Now shoot without dropping it," he told him. Last week, in a 90-second drill at the end of practice, Tyler made 34 of 40 jumpers in the paint, the ball rotating perfectly. How much does it cost to pick up a fallen prodigy? Twenty-five cents.

si.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1174399/index.htm)

[CKR13]

The Northern Akita Happinets have signed former Xavier University product and former Los Angeles D-Fenders forward Anthony Coleman.


Star Point guard Naoto Kushi is still without a contract late into the upcoming season. He played for Ryukyu Golden Kings last season but for the past three years, he has been a headcase for teammates and coaches.

[CKR13]

BJ-League Round Up:

Kyoto Hannaryz have signed forward Reginald Warren.


Pre-season games results:

Sendai 89ers 79 Niigata Albirex 85

*Tokyo Apache 68 Saitama Broncos 58

We shot a horrible 28% on the first half as the guards settled for too many jumpshots and forgot to run the Quick-Post-Up game. But on the second half, the team did respond as they gave the ball down low to Jeremy Tyler who finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. Kendall Dartez went to work on the perimeter and ended with 14 points as well.

Byron Eaton and Darin Satoshi-Maki had 5 assists each, all in the fourth quarter.

[CKR13]

My Tokyo Apache will have a Baptismal of fire for the first 12 games as we are playing all 12 games away from home court.

We get to play at home finally in January 6, 2011. From January 6-9 2010 we will be playing back-to-back-to-back-to-back games against Oita HeatDevils and the Shimane Susanoo Magic at Yoyogi Stadium.

That told, My Tokyo Apache will have 10 January games in a 21-day stretch, and 10 games in 16 days in late March through early April. We have the toughest schedule, being as contender in all.

[CKR13]

BJ-League vs. KBL Championship Series Exhibition Game 1

Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix 80 Ulsan Mobis Phoebus 66

1stQ 21-17
2ndQ 38-36
3rdQ 62-50
4thQ 80-66

BJ-League news:

Osaka Evessa have signed center Marshall Wayne

Akita Northern Happinets have signed forward Paul Butorac

[CKR13]

We (Rera Kamui Hokkaido) have suffered back to back losses against Aisin.

1st Game 2010/9/24

93-86

2nd Game 2010/9/25

76-56

We are at the bottom of the League with a 0-3 record. :(

Up next are Back to back games against Mitsubishi.

[CKR13]

JBL games Third Week Leg

2010/10/1 Toshiba vs Toyota

2010/10/2 Link Tochigi vs Aisin

2010/10/2 Hitachi vs Panasonic

2010/10/2 Toshiba vs Toyota

2010/10/2 Mitsubishi vs Rera Kamui

2010/10/3 Link Tochigi vs Aisin

2010/10/3 Mitsubishi vs. Rera Kamui


BJ-League news:

BJ-League / KBL Championship Series

Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix lost to Ulsan Mobis Phoenbus 79-69

It's 1-1 where Phoenix won the first match.

[CKR13]

BJ-League signings:

Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix have signed guard Darryl Hudson (Howard University)

Ryukyu Golden Kings have signed the following players:

G Takaya Okuhira
G Yasufumi Take
F Anthony McHenry (Georgia Tech)
G Shigeyuki Kinjou
G Tsubasa Yonamine
G Naoto Kosuge
F Yoshiki Yamaguchi
C Jeff Newton (Indiana University)

[CKR13]

JBL Third League Results:

Link Tochigi 69 Aisin 84

Link Tochigi 73 Aisin 67

Hitachi 54 Panasonic 51 (Lowest scoring game for JBL ever)

Hitachi 72 Panasonic 67

Toshiba 69 Toyota 64

Toshiba 58 Toyota 83

Mitsubishi 79 Rera Kamui Hokkaido 83

Mitsubishi 83 Rera Kamui Hokkaido 90

Christian Maraker has 29 points and 11 rebounds to lead us over Mitsubishi. Ryota Sakurai with 29 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.

Standings after the Third Week:

1. Toshiba 5-1
2. Aishin 4-2
3. Tochigi Brex 4-2
4. Toyota 4-2
5. Hitachi S. 3-3
6. Hokkaido 2-4
7. Panasonic 2-4
8. Mitsubishi 0-6

[CKR13]

BJ-League News:

Takamatsu Five Arrows have signed the following:

G Hutoshi Kurihara (New Jersey Lightning- EBA)

G Rasheed Sparks (Morgan State University)

C Jeffrey Price (former Oita HeatDevils)


Kyoto Hannaryz have signed guard Wendell White (UNLV)

[CKR13]

JBL Week 4 schedule:

2010/10/9 Rera Kamui Hokkaido vs. Hitachi

2010/10/10 Rera Kamui Hokkaido vs. Hitachi

2010/10/9 Toyota vs Link Tochigi

2010/10/10 Toyota vs. Link Tochigi

2010/10/9 Aisin vs Toshiba

2010/10/10 Aisin vs. Toshiba

2010/10/9 Panasonic vs. Mitsubishi

2010/10/10 Panasonic vs. Mitsubishi

[CKR13]

The JBL All-Star Game will be held in Gunma Prefecture, Gunma Arena on December 23, 2010.


The BJ-League All Star Game will be held in Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium on January 23, 2010.

The game will be against the East All-Stars vs. West All-Stars where players from both teams will be picked on the Division Format Grouping of the teams where players from the following Division Teams will be picked based on fan vote.

EAST Division: Akita, Sendai, Niigata, Toyama, Saitama, Tokyo and Hamamatsu

WEST Division: Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Shimane, Takamatsu, Fukuoka, Oita, Miyazaki and Okinawa.

[hero82]

hello,
is there any website or link to watch the games of Japan league 2009/2010? full games.

[CKR13]

hello,
is there any website or link to watch the games of Japan league 2009/2010? full games.

www.myplick.com/ still has JBL and BJ-League 2009-2010 games on their archive. For the JBL / BJ-League 2010-2011 season; I'm not sure if mypick will still carry live-streaming of some select games. They still have to renew their subscription as of now.

[hero82]

www.myplick.com/ still has JBL and BJ-League 2009-2010 games on their archive. For the JBL / BJ-League 2010-2011 season; I'm not sure if mypick will still carry live-streaming of some select games. They still have to renew their subscription as of now.

thanx for your reply Dear.. but in this site only you can watch LIVE games.. but you cant watch the games for last year !

[CKR13]

thanx for your reply Dear.. but in this site only you can watch LIVE games.. but you cant watch the games for last year !

They removed the archived games from last year.

[Siriwan]

www.myplick.com/ still has JBL and BJ-League 2009-2010 games on their archive. For the JBL / BJ-League 2010-2011 season; I'm not sure if mypick will still carry live-streaming of some select games. They still have to renew their subscription as of now.


Thanks, is that a subscription website? Is it reliable?

[CKR13]

Thanks, is that a subscription website? Is it reliable?

Not very reliable I'm afraid despite their 1/2 HD format as they rarely show JBL Games Live. So far, I have only watched the JBL Championships there and some replays of the BJ-League. To this point, mypick has not shown any JBL 2010-2011 season games.

[CKR13]

Week 4 Results:

2010/10/9 Rera Kamui Hokkaido 68 Hitachi 79
Joji Takeuchi with 14 points and 15 rebounds to lead Hitachi.

2010/10/10 Rera Kamui Hokkaido 79 Hitachi 92
Joji Takeuchi with 15 points and 11 rebounds while Humiyo Nishimura added 19 points.


2010/10/9 Toyota 72 Link Tochigi 63

2010/10/10 Toyota 76 Link Tochigi 66


2010/10/9 Aisin 88 Toshiba 72
JR Sakuragi 14 points 10 rebounds to lead Aisin.

2010/10/10 Aisin 84 Toshiba 69
Ryan Fohankeri had 22 points and JR Sakuragi had 15 points 13 rebounds to lead Aisin


2010/10/9 Panasonic 76 Mitsubishi 82
Ron Hale exploded with 43 points to lead Mitsubishi.

2010/10/10 Panasonic 78 Mitsubishi 80
Ron Hale with 22 points to lead Mitsubishi

2010/10/10 Panasonic 78 Mitsubishi 80

[CKR13]

BJ-League lists of final signings before the season opens:

Miyazaki Shining Suns have signed the following:

G Shimizu Taishirou
G Shinnosuke Ooishi
F Kojima Yuuta
G Takurou Ito
G Fujita Hiroki
F Masashi Takahashi
G Tsubasa Yonezawa


Oita Heat-Devils have signed the following:

C Taj Finger (Stanford University)


Rising Fukuoka has signed the following:

F Chin Haimo
G Nile Murry (Texas Christian University)


Saitama Broncos have signed the folowing:

G Shiina Takehiro
G Yuki Kitamuki
F Kazuya Hatano


Toyama Grousses have signed the following:

F John Davis (Tarleton State University)
C Kyle Matthew (Yale University)
F Brian Harper (University of Piane)
G Haakim Johnson (Nanzan International University)
F Jerrell Smith (California State U)

[CKR13]

Tokyo Apache player and former Seattle SuperSonics / Oklahoma City Thunder NBA center Robert Swift was interviewed by AP recently:


http://www.tokyoapache.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/robert-swift-featured.jpg




Q: Tell us about your family ties in Japan. What do you know of them?
Robert Swift (R): My dad is half-Japanese, and my grandmom is from Okinawa. My great-grandmother still lives in Okinawa. My grandmom tells stories about growing up in Okinawa. To this day, she really dislikes snakes because of growing up with the snakes in the rice patties in Okinawa.

Q: Have you met any of your relatives in Japan yet?
R: Not yet. I am planning on meeting them soon.

Q: Will you visit them when you are travelling?
R: Yes, when we play in Okinawa. I have some family that live a few hours outside of Tokyo, so I would like to find a way to see them very soon.

Q: You are 216 cm tall. Do you have tall Japanese ancestors?
R: I have tall uncles, all around 6’5″. My great-granddad and my grandad were tall, too. However, my grandmom is only 5’1″.

Q: Do you speak any Japanese?
R: I called my Grandmom and Granddad “Obaachan” and “Ojiichan” before I even knew what the words meant. However, I am just beginning to learn how to speak the language correctly. I am picking up words and phrases from my teammates and am also studying with an iPhone app on my own.

Q: What are you initial reactions to life in Tokyo?
R: I love it here. It’s the style of city I’ve wanted to live in my whole life and never had the chance. I just need to get my fiance out here and learn to speak the language and this will be perfect.

Q: You are reuniting with Coach Hill from your days with the Seattle Sonics. What was the main reason why you wanted to work with Coach Hill again?
R: He know how to coach big men. My best years in the NBA were with him. I had a couple of rough years after that. Now that I am healthy again, he is the missing denominator in me playing well.

Q: What are your personal and team goals for the season?
R: My personal goals are just to play a lot, have fun, and get back into the game. As a team, the one goal I’ve heard and agree with is to win a Championship. It’s a pretty good goal to shoot for and I think we have a good shot at it.

[reamily]

So whats the situation with Robert Swift for Japanese basketball fans and people who knew Japanese laws, does he need to be naturalized if he decided to join Japan NT although he isn't needed:D

Ron Hale still has it he is 35-36 if I'm not mistaken?:eek:

[CKR13]

So whats the situation with Robert Swift for Japanese basketball fans and people who knew Japanese laws, does he need to be naturalized if he decided to join Japan NT although he isn't needed:D

Ron Hale still has it he is 35-36 if I'm not mistaken?:eek:

I believe Swift's case is similar to that of his Tokyo Apache teammate, Darrin Satoshi Maki where Maki was first counted as a foreigner on his first year in the BJ-League. So far, Swift is still classified as an import and counted as an import to the team until he gets a Japanese residential status from the Japanese Immigration Authorities.

On the National team discussion, Swift is not on the radar of the JABBA. I believe Swift was bought in to the Tokyo Apache to contribute to the team being a former NBA veteran as well as generate public interests for the team.

[junah]

Hello guys,
I have a question and hope someone can help me out here, I am looking for the result of todays October 16th BJ League game between Saitama Broncos - Shimane Susanoo Magic. Absolutely unable to find the result anywhere on the net.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Best
Junah

[Walken]

Hello guys,
I have a question and hope someone can help me out here, I am looking for the result of todays October 16th BJ League game between Saitama Broncos - Shimane Susanoo Magic. Absolutely unable to find the result anywhere on the net.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Best
Junah
Saitama - Shimane 84:72 (21:19, 16:18, 26:14, 21:21)

[CKR13]

Hello guys,
I have a question and hope someone can help me out here, I am looking for the result of todays October 16th BJ League game between Saitama Broncos - Shimane Susanoo Magic. Absolutely unable to find the result anywhere on the net.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Best
Junah

Hello junah, all the results of matches can be found on the BJ League's english site http://www.bj-league.com/html/en/index.html

BJ-League Results:

Akita 65 Sendai 76

Shiga 79 Fukuoka 86

Toyama 76 Hamamatsu 86

Saitama 84 Shimane 72

Osaka 73 Miyazaki 70

Toyama 86 Takamatsu 68

[CKR13]

My Rera Kamui Hokkaido beat Toshiba 59-74.

Our veteran leader Takehiko Orimo had 15 points off the bench while and starter Ryota Sakurai also had 15 points 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the win.

We next face the JBL Defending Champions Link Tochigi Brex in Octber 23.

[CKR13]

The roster is set for our championship run after last year's tumultuous meltdown.


Tokyo Apache 2010-2011 Roster

http://www.tokyoapache.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Team-Photo-small.jpg

Players:

Byron Eaton #00
http://www.tokyoapache.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/profile-byron-web.jpg

Takanori Goya #1
http://www.tokyoapache.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/profile-goya-web.jpg

Kendall Dartez #4
http://www.tokyoapache.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/profile-kendall-web.jpg

Minoru Kiumura #7
http://www.tokyoapache.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/profile-kim-web.jpg

Jeremy Tyler #8
http://www.tokyoapache.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/profile-jeremy-web.jpg

Kensuke Tanaka #9
http://www.tokyoapache.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/profile-kensuke-web.jpg

Darin Satoshi Maki #10
http://www.tokyoapache.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/profile-darin-web.jpg

Cohey Aoki #11
http://www.tokyoapache.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/profile-cohey-web.jpg

Reina Itakura #18
http://www.tokyoapache.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/profile-reina-web.jpg

Tomoya "Chomo" Nakamura #19
http://www.tokyoapache.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/profile-chomo-web.jpg

Michael Chappell #20
http://www.tokyoapache.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/profile-mike-web.jpg

Jumpei Nakama #24
http://www.tokyoapache.com/en/team-2010/roster/jumpei-nakama/

Robert Swift #31
http://www.tokyoapache.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/profile-robert-web.jpg

[CKR13]

Rera Kamui Hokkaido 86 Link Tochigi Brex 72.

Ryota Sakurai had 16 pts, 8 rebs and 6 asts to lead Hokkaido.

note that Yuta Tabuse and Takuya Kawamura did not play the game.

We are now 4-7.

[CKR13]

We lost. :(

Rera Kamui Hokkaido 78 Link Tochigi Brex 115.

Our bench was practically close to non-existent. Veteran Guard Takehiko Orimo had a futile 24 points.

We're now 3-8. Up next are two games against Panasonic.

[CKR13]

Just watched the replay of the BJ-League 2010-2011 Opening games.

Tokyo Apache 83 Sendai 89ers 71

Less heralded player Jumpei Nakama carried us with 28 points which was a game high. Robert Swift had 15 points and 9 rebounds while Byron Eaton had 11 points and 7 asissts.

Good win for us to start the season. However, we must certainly play at a higher level still if we are to remain in the playoffs race. We don't get to enjoy home-court advantage until January 2011.

[CKR13]

BJ-League

Tokyo Apache 76 Hamamatsu Higashi Mikawa Phoenix 98

We looked rusty after a week without a game. :(

JBL

Rera Kamui Hokkaido 75 Panasonic 87

For the last two games, only Daiji Yamada and Takehiko Orimo are the only local players in double figures and this game was no different. Yamada had 14 points, while Orimo had 17 points. Import player Christian Maraker had 19 points and 10 rebounds on the losing effort.

[CaveLight]

Was Jeremy Tyler playing in either game? The stats are harder than I thought to find online. Or if you know a good link for this info that would be greatly appreciated. I've been following him since San Diego and want to keep up.

[CKR13]

Was Jeremy Tyler playing in either game? The stats are harder than I thought to find online. Or if you know a good link for this info that would be greatly appreciated. I've been following him since San Diego and want to keep up.

On the lost against the fist game against Phoenix Hamamatsu Higashimikawa, 76-98, Jeremy Tyler had 9 points and 4 rebounds in 4 minutes.


On the lost on the second game against Phoenix Hammatsu Higashimikawa, Tyler had 0 points but had 6 rebounds and a block.

[CKR13]

BJ-League

Finally, a well deserved win.

Tokyo Apache 91 Saitama 83.

Jeremy Tyler with 27 points and 11 rebounds.

http://www.tokyoapache.com/wp-content/gallery/tokyo-at-saitama-11-7-2011/mg_6749-web.jpg

JBL

We lost another game.

Rera Kamui Hokkaido 70 Toyota 83.

[CKR13]

The JBL will take a two week break due to the Asian Games. Games will resume in December 4, 2010.

Daiji Yamada and Ryota Sakurai represent Rera Kamui Hokkaido for the Japanese National Basketball Team.

[Lowman]

Word is that George Leach will be back in the bj-league with the Saitama Broncos. After Jeremy Tyler lit them up for 27 points (and 5 dunks) I think adding an experienced big was a good idea.

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sk20101109b1.html

[Mr. Basketball]

Mahmoud Abdul Rauf ... still going strong at 41 for Kyoto Hannaryz's


http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sp20101011eo.html

[splitzapper]

Mahmoud Abdul Rauf ... still going strong at 41 for Kyoto Hannaryz's


http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sp20101011eo.html

Is this Shaq's team mate at LSU? He was a legit NBA star back then. :)

[Mr. Basketball]

Is this Shaq's team mate at LSU? He was a legit NBA star back then. :)


yes he went by chris jackson then..and his sophmore year at lsu, they had shaq and also another nba 7 footer, stanley roberts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIGwqQFaP_s

he was an nba allstar, but got blacklisted from the nba, becuz during the national anthem, he would put his hands up and say a little prayer to himself. that pissed off the right wingers... becuz the usa had just invaded iraq in 1990, and he had changed his name and become muslim...he actually had his house burned down and he left the country...played the rest of his career overseas...

http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/3451/2s7xbud.jpg

[CKR13]

Next up we (Tokyo Apache) tackle the expansion team: the Northern Akita Happinets tomorrow for 2 consecutive games of 11-20-2010 and 11-21-2010.

[CKR13]

Thanks to Evolution Capital Management, a Los Angeles based Finance and Investment group, the Tokyo Apache are enjoying a resurgence as a franchise. A far cry from the gloomy and uncertain future only months ago in mid February.


Big in Japan: Hedge Fund Sees Growth in Hoops

SENDAI, Japan—Seven-footer Robert Swift, a former first-round NBA draft pick, has enjoyed the perks of playing at professional basketball's highest level—the seven-figure salaries, the five-star hotels and spacious charter flights to and from road games.

On the way to his first game for his new team, Tokyo Apache of the fledgling Japan Professional Basketball League, he and his teammates and coaches boarded a crowded local train in northeastern Japan. They stood for the entire hourlong ride, arriving in a rural town with a gym bordered by rice fields.

Welcome, Mr. Swift, to pro hoops, Japanese style.

Mr. Swift, who last played in the National Basketball Association in 2009, is part of a high-profile roster assembled by the Apache's new owners, U.S. hedge fund Evolution Capital Management. The group bought the team in June for a price it didn't disclose and signed Mr. Swift, ex-NBA coach Bob Hill and 19-year-old Jeremy Tyler, who left high school early last year to turn pro and play basketball overseas.

At an "unveiling" ceremony for fans on Monday, the team plans to show off its brushed-up 4,000-seat home court and give a taste of the NBA-style perks it plans to introduce.

The team sells seats for as little as 2,500 yen (about $30), but it plans to offer a premium courtside package with a red-carpet entrance area, padded seats and access to a VIP lounge with a spread of food and drinks. The plan is to charge up to 50,000 yen ($600) a game—about five times the cost of the priciest tickets offered by any other teams in what is commonly known as the "bj-league."

The initiative, overseen by two onetime Evolution traders, is ambitious in a country where basketball plays second string to baseball, soccer or sumo. The bj-league started only in 2005, as an alternative to the corporate leagues where Japan's top talents played, and now draws about 2,200 fans per game.

In seeking to take the league to the next level, Evolution is pretty much on its own.

"We have tried to explain to the new Apache owners that basketball is still minor here compared to the NBA, but they are determined to challenge things," said Toshimitsu Kawachi, the bj-league's commissioner and a former Japan national team coach. "We welcome that spirit."

The Los Angeles-based hedge fund, which specializes in investing in Asia, tends to employ former Ivy League athletes to work its trading desks. Evolution officials said the chance to own a Japanese basketball team was an opportunity to break into pro sports management.

"We have a Field of Dreams mentality—if you build it, they will come," said general manager Conor Neu, formerly an Evolution derivatives trader.

Japan's global basketball track record hasn't exactly helped the sport's popularity at home. Whereas China has proudly sent Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian to the NBA, Japan contributed 5-foot-9 point guard Yuta Tabuse, who played four games with the Phoenix Suns in 2004. In the 2010 Asian Championships, Japan's national team finished 10th of 16.

While a handful of ex-NBA players have played in the bj-league, mostly at the end of their careers, Apache has signed players looking to use Japan as a launching pad to the North American pros.

Mr. Tyler, a 6'11" forward, is looking to fulfill the potential he displayed as one of the best high-school players in the U.S. while lifting his potential draft value. Mr. Swift is still only 25 years old and is back with Mr. Hill, who coached him during the best season of his injury-marred NBA career.

Not everything has gone smoothly for the Apache, which lost its season opener and has gotten off to a 2-4 start. Mr. Neu says the players and coach are still getting used to Japanese play and officials, and to playing on a squad with a hodge-podge of foreign and local talent.

"They're committed," Mr. Hill said of his Japanese players. "But they're all about the same size and there's nothing I can do about that."

For Mr. Swift, there are constant reminders this isn't the NBA. His team practices at different hours and facilities around Tokyo. One recent Friday, the team shared a court with a women's volleyball team.

The standing-room-only train ride in October took Tokyo Apache's players to its season opener against the Sendai 89ers in the rural city of Tome. The game was played in a gymnasium that also hosts calisthenics for local senior citizens. The court was tiled in bright red and blue—instead of the NBA-standard hardwood—that Mr. Swift said caused his feet to slide and reminded him of his backyard court.

Local businesses pitched in to offer the game's most valuable player his reward—a tub of miso paste weighing 10 kilograms, or, by the NBA's standard of measure, 22 pounds.



from Daisuke Wakabayashi of the Wall Street Journal (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704170404575624620139417114.html)

--------------------------------------------------------------

Overall, the BJ-League is starting to capitalize on the geographic location as an advantage for not only marketing the teams with their respective prefectures and cities, but also the league itself overall. Geographic location that potentially translates to a broader fanbase is an advantage against the JBL; plus foreign companies taking an interest on the teams with investments and sponsorships are the way for the league to be truly sustainable.

[CKR13]

Tokyo Apache 98 Akita Northern Happinets 79

Center Robert Swift scores 18 points, had 7 rebounds and 9 blocks. Jeremy Tyler added 18 points while Jumpei Nakama had 15 points all from the three point range.

Tokyo lead every quarter.

[CKR13]

Tokyo Apache 99 Northern Akita Happinets 87

Guard Byron Eaton scores a game high 28 points on 9-16 shooting, including 8-11 from the free-throw line. Robert Swift had 18 points and 10 rebounds.

The Tokyo Apache will have a 2 week break before traveling to Niigata to face the Niigata Albirex in a two game series.

[Lowman]

Great article about the state of basketball in Japan in the Daily Yomiuri.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/sports/20101125dy01.htm

The leagues seem so far apart in terms of money, culture, and goals that a merger in the near future seems like it will take a lot of work. That being said, it certainly looks like the only way to solidify the future of both leagues.

[CKR13]

Great article about the state of basketball in Japan in the Daily Yomiuri.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/sports/20101125dy01.htm

The leagues seem so far apart in terms of money, culture, and goals that a merger in the near future seems like it will take a lot of work. That being said, it certainly looks like the only way to solidify the future of both leagues.

Indeed. There have been talks held by the Japanese Basketball Association (JABBA) as a mediator between the two competing leagues which is the Japanese Basketball League (JBL) and the Japanese Professional Basketball League (BJ-League) but at the current rate, in terms of progress, no concrete solutions or breakthroughs have been made.

The proposed merger would be the creation of the Japanese Basketball Association Professional League (J-BAL) in which being lofty as a huge step for Basketball in Japan, hoping to emulate the other professional leagues such as that of Football and Baseball on which both are far more profitable and far more established. The JABBA has set a projected and non-imperative date of December 2013 as a deadline.

The BJ-League on its fifth year is still lagging in central organization compared to the JBL in terms of the following:

1. Central Administration (Incompetence among the ranks)

2. Marketing

3. Scheduling

4. Local Player Talents

5. Player contracts

Though the BJ-League has the Geographic / Region format of the composing teams, somehow each team manages to only play 1 or twice a month in its home soil, and not having a permanent stadium or gymnasium to play on.

With the BJ-League set to welcome 2 or 4 Expansion teams, it is only the matter of time before the relative contraction could happen.

[CKR13]

Entering December, we Rera Kamui Hokkaido have the worst record with 4 wins and 12 losses. Also, there is the fiscal health of the team that have to dealt with as CEO Ms. Kazuko Mizusawa has confirmed that the players will be asked to accept a paycut of 20% or more for the remainder of the season.

Also, forward / center Chris Ayer was released as Hokkaido can no longer afford the latter's salary and instead signed journeyman forward / center Jai Lewis to a minimum contract.

By next summer, I expect the team to part with stars Daiji Yamada and Ryota Sakurai if the financial status remains dire. The 40 year old Takehiko Orimo is the leading scorer of the team with 16.5 ppg while second is import Christian Maraker with 13.6 ppg.

Dark times ahead.

[CKR13]

Yesterday, the Tokyo Apache (BJ-League) and Toyota Alvark (JBL) have held a closed door scrimmage as practice. First meeting of two teams from both leagues; all of which historic.

[CKR13]

Rera Kamui Hokkaido 80 Aisin 90

A very lackluster game for us. Takehiko Orimo had a team high 25 points and Ryota Sakurai added 18 points. Jai Lewis had 19 points in his first game for us.

We could not contain Kosuke Takeuchi and JR Sakuragi.

Aisin Seahorses' new player; former NBA guard Richie Frahm will replace Josh Gross; with the latter injuring his right foot. Frahm did not play in this game, but is expected to play the next couple of games for Aisin.

[CKR13]

Rera Kamui Hokkaido 71 Aisin 87

Hokkaido had no answer for the firepower that Aisin had. Kosuke Takeuchi and JR Sakuragi proved too much for our frontline. Shinsuke Kashiwagi was scoring at will on the perimeter and newcomer Richie Frahm killed us with his shooting.

Despite the loss, our new import Jai Lewis had an impressive debut with both team highs of 26 points and 15 rebounds. The only other Hokkaido player with double figures is Takehiko Orimo with 13 points.

We are now 4-14.

[Lowman]

From the Japan Times: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sk20101210n1.html


Possible change: It appears that there's a chance the JBL's Rera Kamuy Hokkaido, coached by ex-Apache bench boss Joe Bryant, could join the bj-league next season, a league source told The Japan Times, speculating that discussions are already taking place about the possible move. Basketball insiders believe the team could play its first bj-league game during the 2012-13 campaign.

Nothing, however, has been been officially announced yet.

But facing financial woes this season, Rera Kamuy has already made major changes in the front office.

By defecting from the JBL, the Sapporo-based club would give the bj-league its first team in Hokkaido. In the bj-league, Rera Kamuy would be able to spend a lot less money to field a team due to the sixth-year circuit's salary cap (reportedly ¥77 million per team this season).

That is a huge rumor, yet it is buried at the bottom of the weekly update! How much have other people heard about this? Is this a new or old piece of gossip?

[CKR13]

From the Japan Times: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sk20101210n1.html



That is a huge rumor, yet it is buried at the bottom of the weekly update! How much have other people heard about this? Is this a new or old piece of gossip?

I have heard of this recurring rumor and being a Hokkaido fan, I would not be surprised if the team does defect to the BJ-League. Where the franchise will be ideal to the Geographic Conference structure of the BJ-League. Then there is the worsening financial scenario for the team where from last week, the players and staff were asked to take a 20% salary reduction to keep the team afloat.

Since the BJ-League operates at a lower expense compared to the JBL, it is looking likely that Hokkaido would be jumping to the BJ-League minus local stars like Yamada, Sakurai and Orimo; on who could be traded for cash considerations instead.

The Hokkaido office have pleaded financial aid from the JBL and there are no decisions made yet if the league will help the team. Also, there are rumors that the JBL is in examining another brand that is seeking for a JBL franchise.

[CKR13]

BJ-League

12/11

Tokyo Apache 80 Niigata Alibirex 73

12/12

Tokyo Apache 84 Niigata Alibirex 74

Apache are on a 5 game winning streak and will face the Saitama Broncos in December 25 and 26.

JBL

Rera Kamui Hokkaido losing to the Mitsubishi Dolphins 89-80. Once again Takehiko Orimo was the best player with a team high 21 points and followed by import Jai Lewis with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Morale is low for the team.

[CKR13]

Tokyo Apache players, point guard Cohey Aoki has been named the starting point guard for the Eastern Conference All-Star Team. While forward Jumpei Nakama was named as a reserve for the Eastern Conference All-Star Team and Nakama will also be participating in the Three Point Shootout contest.



Aoki
http://www.tokyoapache.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/tokyo-apache-167-of-341-small-224x300.jpg
Nakama
http://www.tokyoapache.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/tokyo-apache-143-of-341-small-225x300.jpg

Tokyo Apache head coach Bob Hill was named as the Eastern Conference All-Star Team coach. Jeremy Tyler will be participating in the Slam-Dunk Contest.




http://www.tokyoapache.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/MG_8965-small-bob-224x300.jpg

http://www.tokyoapache.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/MG_7873-small-254x300.jpg

[CKR13]

The Squads have been named for the upcoming JBL All-Star Game 2010 happening in December 23, 2010 in Gunma.

TEAM EAST

Head Coach: Bruce Palmer (Link Tochigi)

Starters:

G Yuta Tabuse (Link Tochigi)
G Takuya Kawamura (Link Tochigi)
F Ryota Sakurai (Hokkaido)
F Joji Takeuchi (Hitachi)
C Shunsuke Ito (Link Tochigi)

Reserves:

Tyler Smith (Hitachi)
Scott Merritt (Link Tochigi)
Takehiko Orimo (Hokkaido)
Yutaka Okada (Toyota)
Michael Takahashi (Toyota)

TEAM WEST

Head Coach:Kimu Suzuki (Aishin)

Starters:

G Kei Igarashi (Mitsubishi)
G Shingo Kajiyama (Mitsubishi)
F Kenta Hirose (Panasonic)
F Kosuke Takeuchi (Aishin)
C JR Sakuragi (Aishin)

Reserves:

Charles O'Bannon (Toshiba)
Ron Hale (Mitsubishi)
Kiku Shiyohei (Toshiba)
Shinsuke Kashiwagi (Aishin)
Hiroyuki Kinoshita (Panasonic)


http://www.jbl.or.jp/allstar/2010/img/uni.gif

[CKR13]

Osaka Evessa guard Masashi Obuchi had suffered a season ending injury on the recent game.

[CKR13]

The lineup for the East and West squads have been named for the BJ-League 2010-2011 All-Star Game in January 23, 2011 to be held in Osaka.

EAST TEAM

Head Coach: Bob Hill

Starters:

G Cohey Aoki (Tokyo Apache)
G Naoto Takushi (Niigata Albirex)
F Kazuya Hatano (Saitama Broncos)
F Mike Bell (Sendai 89ers)
C Julius Ashby (Niigata Albirex)

Reserves:

Makoto Sawaguchi (Akita Northern Happinets)
Jumpei Nakama (Tokyo Apache)
Wayne Arnold (Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix)
Jeffrey Parmer (Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix)
Brian Harper (Touyama Grousses)


WESTERN TEAM

Head Coach: Ryan Blackwell

Starters:

G Masashi Joho (Shiga Lakestars)
G Takumi Ishizaki (Shimane Susanoo Magic)
F Lynn Washington (Osaka Evessa)
F Billy Knight (Osaka Evessa)
C Jeff Newton (Ryukyu Golden Kings)

Reserves:

Shota Konno (Osaka Evessa)
Satoshi Takeda (Takamatsu Five Arrows)
Taishiro Shimizu (Miyazaki Shining Suns)
Matt Lottich (Oita Head Devils)
Mikey Marshall (Shiga Lakestars)
Wendell White (Kyoto Hannaryz)*
Micheal Parker (Rizing Fukuoka)*

*Two more reserves were assigned to the Western squad due to League Expansion

Slam Dunk Contest Participants:

Jeremy Tyler (Tokyo Apache)
Brian Harper (Toyama Grousses)
Lawrence Blackledge (Osaka Evessa)
Jeral Davis (Shimane Susanoo Magic)
Yoshihiro Tachibana (Sendai 89ers)
Rasheed Sparks (Takamatsu Five Arrows)

Sparks is the defending Slam Dunk Champion.

Three Point Shoot-out Participants

Jun Nakanishi (Rizing Fukuouka)
Masahiro Oguchi (Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix)
Wayne Arnold (Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix)
Yu Okada (Shiga Lakestars)
Billy Knight (Osaka Evessa)
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (Kyoto Hannaryz)

Okada is the defending three point champion

[CKR13]

Kyoto Hannaryz forward/center Michael Fey will be sidelined for 5 weeks due to a ligament tear on his right knee. Fey averaged 10.1 points and 7.0 rebounds in 19 games for Kyoto who stands at a 10-10 record.

[CKR13]

Rera Kamui Hokkaido 78 Hitachi 74

Hokkaido took advantage with the lackluster play of Hitachi to escape with a narrow win. Jai Lewis lifted Hokkaido with a 32 points and 13 rebound performance. Takehiko Orimo scored 18 points while Daiji Yamada had 11 points.

[CKR13]

The Western Team beating the Eastern Team 117-114.

Ron Hale was named MVP for the game as Hale lead the Western Team with 32 points.

Takuya Kawamura and Takehiko Orimo scored 26 points and 24 points respectively for the Eastern Team.

[CKR13]

Tokyo Apache 70 Saitama Broncos 88

The team shot poorly with 38% from the field and was only 51% from the freethrow line. While the Broncos shot 51% from the field and 74% from the field. A very lackluster performance.

The next 2 game series will be on January 6 and 7 in 2011 against the Oita Heat Devils.

[Lowman]

The next series also marks the first home series for the Tokyo Apache. Pretty huge seeing as they have only played 12 games when the rest of the league has played between 20-24. The Apache play every night from the 6th-9th. CRAZY!

[CKR13]

The next series also marks the first home series for the Tokyo Apache. Pretty huge seeing as they have only played 12 games when the rest of the league has played between 20-24. The Apache play every night from the 6th-9th. CRAZY!

Indeed, the scheduling of the BJ-League needs to be more consistent in terms of equality for all teams. Like in the case of my Tokyo Apache, where come 2011 on a span of 4 months from January to Apirl, the Apache will play 40 games. I just hope that team fatigue will not cost us a qualification in the playoffs or if we qualify, there is a risk that the team will be worn down.

[Lowman]

But in this case it was the Apache's own fault. From what I understand the refurbishing of their new home arena in Yoyogi is just being finished. They purposefully had to shift all of their true "home" dates to later in the year. In January only one of their series is away . . . so I guess the advantage is the games are mostly at home. The disadvantage like you said is the risk of injury and burnout.

[CKR13]

But in this case it was the Apache's own fault. From what I understand the refurbishing of their new home arena in Yoyogi is just being finished. They purposefully had to shift all of their true "home" dates to later in the year. In January only one of their series is away . . . so I guess the advantage is the games are mostly at home. The disadvantage like you said is the risk of injury and burnout.

The Yoyogi construction was among many things as determinants for the 2011 home games being scheduled heavily. Initially, the new owners refused to play in gymnasiums near the vicinity. Must be a pre-understood agreement between the team and the league.

[CKR13]

Despite Rera Kamui Hokkaido being in the JBL while the expansion team for the BJ-League, the Akita Northern Happinets; both teams have something in common: their best local player and most consistent player are veteran players.

Rera Kamui Hokkaido has Takehiko Orimo who at 40 years old is still the most consistent player for Hokkaido. For Akita Northern Happinets, it is Makoto Hasegawa at 39 is the best local player for the expansion team.

Orimo has produced season highs in scoring despite the lowly record of Hokkaido.


Orimo
http://pic.pimg.tw/arenasis/4ba70fe5115ae.jpg


While Hasegawa is still providing the scoring needed for Akita. Hasegawa scored 28 points against his former team, the Niigata Albirex on a losing effort.


Hasegawa
http://happinets.net/data/common_img/player_04.jpg

[CKR13]

The Tokyo Apache is set to play the Oita HeatDevils and the Shimane Susanoo Magic from January 6 to January 10 on which is a stretch of 4 consecutive games each day. We will be fortunate to go 2-2.

[Lowman]

The good news is that these games are at home and both Oita and Shimane have below .500 records. It is better that they are playing them then Hamamatsu and Osaka back-to-back.

Has anyone out there subscribed to basketballjapantv.com? I am so tempted to, but have not been able to get an answer from them about whether or not the player works outside of Japan.

[CKR13]

The good news is that these games are at home and both Oita and Shimane have below .500 records. It is better that they are playing them then Hamamatsu and Osaka back-to-back.

Indeed, but fatigue is a most certain factor here as the Apache roster have played a light schedule from that of the last year. Especially if the contest against Oita goes down the wire, I fear that the players will be too fatigued against the fresh Shimane roster.

Best scenario here is to win by a comfortable margin against Oita via and let the starters rest to compete with Shimane on the next 2 games.


Has anyone out there subscribed to basketballjapantv.com? I am so tempted to, but have not been able to get an answer from them about whether or not the player works outside of Japan.

I have Japanese friends in the Westcoast of North America subscribed and the only hitch was basketballjapantv.com player has some display issues on Mozilla Firefox. My friends use Internet Explorer + the new version of silverlight that seems to work best for the subscription for the live games.

[13wowowee]

can i just ask something.. what is the format,setting of your league there in japan for the whole year.. thanks

[CKR13]

can i just ask something.. what is the format,setting of your league there in japan for the whole year.. thanks

JBL:

Regular season consists of weekly fixtures of games classified as "Rounds" for qualification for the playoffs.

Playoffs: playoff format which is a best of three games affair.


BJ-League:

Season games consists of a 2 game series for each team in round robin fashion for qualification for the eventual playoffs which is also a best of three games affair.

[CKR13]

The Tokyo Apache ended the series against the Oita Heat Devils 1-1.

1st game: 98-85 W

2nd game: 69-84 L

[CKR13]

Tokyo Apache 85 Shimane Susanoo Magic 94

The Apache shot only 11% from the three point area as well as producing only 8 assists as a team. Byron Eaton scored 19 points while Jeremy Tyler had 14 points and 11 rebounds.

[CKR13]

Tokyo Apache 76 Shimane Susanoo Magic 68

On the span of 4 consecutive games the Apache had gone 2-2 and are now at the record of 8-8. Up next is the two game series against the Takamatsu Five Arrows.

[CKR13]

Aisin 81 Panasonic 74


http://www.japanbasketball.jp/wp-content/uploads/20110110_08.jpg

JR Sakurai scored 21 points, hauled down 15 rebounds and had 7 assists to lead Aisin to their Fourth All-Japan Cup Championship. Hiroyuki Kinoshita scored 17 points and Makoto Nagayama had 14 points for Panasonic.


Sakuragi

http://www.japanbasketball.jp/wp-content/uploads/20110110_05.jpg

[CKR13]

The BJ-League has confirmed the entry of the expansion franchise of the Iwate Prefecture and the franchise will play next season for the BJ-League 2011-2012 season.

The franchise is still without a team moniker and is inviting fans to send in their suggestions via fax (019-651-5015) or email: teamname@bj-iwate.info

Iwate BJ-League official site: www.bj-iwate.info/blog/

[CKR13]

Tokyo Apache 98 Miyazaki Shining Suns 85

Kensuke Tanaka lead Tokyo with a team high 18 points and going 3-4 from the three point line. Robert Swift had 10 points and 18 rebounds. Michael Chappell with 11 points and 11 rebounds. While Byron Eaton finished 17 points and 10 assists.

[CKR13]

Tokyo Apache 89 Miyazaki Shining Suns 74

Byron Eaton lead Tokyo with 17 points and 6 assists.

[CKR13]

Tokyo Apache 85 Takamatsu Five Arrows 72

Guard Byron Eaton lead the way with 23 points and 5 assists. Robert Swift added 14 points and 11 rebounds while Junpei Nakama and Kendall Dartez also added 14 points.


Eaton
http://www.tokyoapache.com/wp-content/gallery/tokyo-vs-takamatsu-2011-1-18/mg_7900.jpg

[CKR13]

Tokyo Apache 79 Takamatsu Five Arrows 78

The Tokyo Apache winning in overtime with Byron Eaton hitting a three pointer to tie the game at 72-72 when the Apache were trailing by 69-72, late in the final quarter to force an overtime game. Jumpei Nakama hit a three pointer with 33 seconds left to break the tie and the Apache holding off Takamatsu for the win.

[CKR13]

The JBL Board Meeting culminated with the expulsion of Fantasia Entertainment from operating and managing the Hokkaido based franchise known as the Rera Kamui Hokkaido. The decision came yesterday where the JBL will take control of the Hokkaido franchise for the remainder of the JBL 2010-2011 Season until the league can find another corporation or organization to take over the Hokkaido based franchise for future operations.

Fantasia Entertainment was expelled from operating the Hokkaido franchise due to the following violations:

1. Failure of Fantasia Entertainment to pay annual dues to the 2010 deadline set by the league from the 2009 fiscal year. (JBL Article 10 Section 2 Violation)

2. False Financial Reports during the 2004 Fiscal year after a league re-auditing of the books. (JBL Article 26 Violation)

3. Failure of Fantasia Entertainment to address the January 17, 2011 deadline obligations for the Administration Transfer set up by the JBL.

4. Delayed Salaries for players and employees that violates Japanese Labor Codes.

The team shall be referred to now as Basketball Club Hokkaido since Fantasia Entertainment holds the trademark rights of formerly the team's name:Rera Kamui.

[CKR13]

Rera Kamui Hokkaido head coach Joe Bryant was fired yesterday. Assistant head coach Yoshinori Kaneta was named interim head coach and will coach the team against the Toshiba Brave Thunders this weekend and probably for the remainder of the season.

[CKR13]

JBL:

Panasonic Trians 88 Link Tochigi Brex 77

Hiroyuki Kinoshita with 17 points to lift the Trians. Takuya Kawamura scored 22 points for Link Tochigi.

Aisin Seahorses 78 Hitachi SunRockers 63

Aisin's Kosuke Takeuchi's double-double lead the rout as Takeuchi had 11 points and 13 rebounds. Meanwhile, Joji Takeuchi was limited to 12 points and 5 rebounds.

Toyota Alvark 83 Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins 68

Toyota's Yutaka Okada lead Toyota with a team high 17 points, including converting 5-7 from beyond the arc.

Basketball Club Hokkaido 65 Toshiba Brave Thunders 81

Hokkaido, now under the JBL management started the franchise's new chapter with a horrible loss to Toshiba. Hokkaido spent the majority of the game trailing.

[sinobball]

Rera Kamui Hokkaido head coach Joe Bryant was fired yesterday. Assistant head coach Yoshinori Kaneta was named interim head coach and will coach the team against the Toshiba Brave Thunders this weekend and probably for the remainder of the season.Was Coach Jason Rabedeaux fired too? I know he left Japan, he was coaching Tabuse's team before.

Also, I'm curious, CKR13 how good is your Japanese really? Also could you please help me compile a list of players that have played in both NBA and JBL /BJ-league? I know these off the top of my head: Yuta Tabuse, JR Sakuragi-Henderson, Charles O'Bannon, Corey Yasuta Gaines for JBL, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Robert Swift, Kenny Satterfield for BJ-league but I'm sure there's a lot more.

[Lowman]

Sinoball -

Rabedeaux was fired pretty early in the season and looks to already have found another gig in Bahrain.

http://www.asia-basket.com/Bahrain/basketball.asp?NewsID=215096

I was really surprised at how quickly he came and went in Japan.

One player who jumps to mind who played in the NBA and Japan is Antonio Lang, who is now coaching Mitsubishi in the JBL. I'll post some more names when I have some time to dig/brainstorm.

[Khalid80]

Was Coach Jason Rabedeaux fired too? I know he left Japan, he was coaching Tabuse's team before.

Also, I'm curious, CKR13 how good is your Japanese really? Also could you please help me compile a list of players that have played in both NBA and JBL /BJ-league? I know these off the top of my head: Yuta Tabuse, JR Sakuragi-Henderson, Charles O'Bannon, Corey Yasuta Gaines for JBL, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Robert Swift, Kenny Satterfield for BJ-league but I'm sure there's a lot more.

Sino, does playing in NBA summerleages and being signed by an NBA team but getting directly cut from the team count :D?

Here's some more names (some of which can't really be considered as "NBA" players but do deserve a mention):

1) Ace Custis (Played with the Mavs in NBA summer leagues and signed a contract with the Mavs in 1999. Also previously played in Lebanon with Riyadi)
http://www.rotowire.com/basketball/player.htm?ID=1825
http://www.hokiesports.com/mbasketball/jerseys/custis.html

2) Jerald Honeycutt (Selected in the 2nd round (39th overall pick) of the 1997 NBA Draft by the Bucks. Played for 2 seasons in NBA in Bucks and 76ers.. Also played in the Lebanese League :D)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerald_Honeycutt
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/honeyje01.html


3) Michael Fey (I know he had some stint with the Lakers in the summer league.... Whether he deserves to be included in the list is up to you :D)

http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/091010lakerswaivethree.html
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/michael_fey/index.html?nav=page


By the way these are all current players in Japan.

[CKR13]

Was Coach Jason Rabedeaux fired too? I know he left Japan, he was coaching Tabuse's team before.

Also, I'm curious, CKR13 how good is your Japanese really? Also could you please help me compile a list of players that have played in both NBA and JBL /BJ-league? I know these off the top of my head: Yuta Tabuse, JR Sakuragi-Henderson, Charles O'Bannon, Corey Yasuta Gaines for JBL, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Robert Swift, Kenny Satterfield for BJ-league but I'm sure there's a lot more.

More on Rebedeaux, the management of Link Tochigi Brex being the defending JBL Champions and with the championship team intact on the JBL 2010-2011 season, found the team's 2-7 start very disappointing and secured a contract buyout with Rebedeaux and named Bruce Palmer head coach.

My Japanese is not up to standards to which I say is moderately poor.

I can only name impromptu Jerald Honeycutt, Antonio Lang and Fred Wilson who played for Aisin in 1998 was a undrafted player in the NBA back in the early 90's. I think asia-basket can help with a paid membership. Good luck!

[Khalid80]

As for ex-NBA players who are currently not playing in Japan or have retired here are a couple of names that I could find:

1) David Benoit (Big name in the NBA as he previously had a long career there. You can remember him with Utah playing alongside Malone and Stockton...Played in Japan from 2005-2007 with the Saitama Broncos...Also coached in the Japanese BJ League with Kyoto Hannaryz)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Benoit_(basketball)
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sk20090602b1.html

2) Tim James (Played in the NBA for three season with the Heat, Hornets and 76ers..Also played in Japan (can't find which team though), Turkey and Israel and went with the U.S army to Iraq :eek:!!

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jamesti01.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_James_(basketball)


By the way as I was doing some research it seems Rodman played in some AND1 celebrity bball game in Japan last year (check it out :D)

eiQb0l34VkY

[CKR13]

It was a close game but the WEST All-Stars won against the EAST All-Stars 110-109. Lynn Washington was named MVP of the game.

The 2012 BJ-League All Star game will be held in Saitama next year on January 15, 2012.

[Lowman]

The game may have been close, but it was brutal to watch. I don't understand why the league chose to broadcast the game and not the Dunk Contest is beyond me!

[sinobball]

Thanks everyone, I don't think summer league or preseason games count though, you must appear in regular season games.

All-in-all it doesn't look like there're too many ex-NBA imports in JBL history, although I suspect there were more in the late 90's before there was asia-basket.com

[CKR13]

Hokkaido 83 Toshiba Brave Thunder 73

Import Jai Lewis scored 25 points while Takehiko Orimo added 20 points to help Hokkaido for the win.

[CKR13]

The city of Yokohama who is set to be another expansion team for next year's BJ-League 2011-2012 season has unveiled their logo and team moniker.


Yokohama B-Corsairs
http://livedoor.blogimg.jp/bjld_2005/imgs/2/d/2dc52215.jpg

B-Corsairs Official Site (http://b-corsairs.com/)

[ezteeban]

Hi, I'm Esteban, I was looking for information about john davis. He plays in the Toyama Grouses. If anyone has more information about it, would be excellent. the game here in Chile in 2008, was an incredible player, led the team to the playoffs, not win the championship but he was fantastic. thanks.

PD: sorry for my English, I do not speak very well, and I'm using google translator.

[CKR13]

Hello ezteeban,

Yes, John Davis is still playing for the Toyama Grouses. He sometimes starts and sometimes plays off the bench.

Here is page profile on Toyama's official page. You can use translator to translate the Japanese text to English.

http://grouses.jp/team/player/no3_davis

I hope that helps you.

[ezteeban]

Thanks for answering. I hope that this well in Japan. really is a good player. the only thing I have to see is that the http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32jGIj_NYU0

Greetings from Chile.

[CKR13]

Thanks for answering. I hope that this well in Japan. really is a good player. the only thing I have to see is that the http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32jGIj_NYU0

Greetings from Chile.

You are most welcome.

[CKR13]

Tokyo Apache vs. Fukuoka Rizing Series:

Game 1: Tokyo Apache 87 Fukuoka Rizing 91

Game 2: Tokyo Apache 92 Fukuoka Rizing 72

[CKR13]

Gone is the team named Rera Kamui Hokkaido. Now the club is known merely as Hokkaido.



Team Logo
http://www.jbl.or.jp/teams/details/template/images/img_team_b_TM0001.gif

[CKR13]

JBL

Panasonic Trians 92 Toshiba Brave Thunder 86

Kenta Hirose scored 17 points to lead Panasonic over Toshiba. Hirose was perfect from beyond the arc, hitting 3 out of 3 attempts but was just 2 out of 9 from the perimeter. Makoto Nagayama scored 14 points and Hiroyuki Kinoshita managed 11 points to round up Panasonic.

Kenzi Sato scored 19 points for Toshiba.

[sinobball]

Does JBL allow mid-season transfers between teams? In other words can a player play for 2 teams in the same season? Trades?

[CKR13]

Does JBL allow mid-season transfers between teams? In other words can a player play for 2 teams in the same season? Trades?

What makes the JBL different from the BJL is that the JBL does not mandate mid-season trades. The only way a local player can transfer to another club mid-season is by means of that player being waived by his former club and a 10 day waiting period.

In the BJ-League, there are trades but the trading period also has a deadline.

[CKR13]

Hokkaido 89 Link Tochigi Brex 86

Veteran star Takehiko Orimo of Hokkaido proved that he can still duel against Japan's best guard of today, Takuya Kawamura of Link Tochigi. Both scored 25 points on their duel. Jai Lewis played superb with 30 points and 15 rebounds to lift Hokkaido to upset the reigning JBL Champions.

Both teams now share a record of 8 wins and 17 losses.

[CKR13]

The BJ-League will welcome four expansion teams next season, (BJ-League 2011-2012 Season) the teams are the following:

1. Shinshu Brave Warriors

2. Yokohama B-Corsairs

3. Chiba Jets

4. Iwate (Team moniker TBA)

That brings the sum of twenty teams for the BJ-League 2011-2012 season.

[CKR13]

Aisin Seahorses 87 Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins 84

Aisin's towering presence of Kosuke Takeuchi and JR Sakuragi powered Aisin once again over a potential upset. Takeuchi had a double-double of 22 points and 15 rebounds while Sakuragi also with a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds.

Kei Igarashi lead Mitsubishi with a team high 21 points.

[Lowman]

The BJ-League will welcome four expansion teams next season, (BJ-League 2011-2012 Season) the teams are the following:

1. Shinshu Brave Warriors

2. Yokohama B-Corsairs

3. Chiba Jets

4. Iwate (Team moniker TBA)

That brings the sum of twenty teams for the BJ-League 2011-2012 season.

I am excited to see how Nagano responds to having a pro basketball team. I only lived there for a month and a half, but found it to be the most pro-basketball place I lived in Japan. Let's hope these four expansion teams can find some solid Japanese talent to go with their imports.

[CKR13]

The Tokyo Apache have waived import Kendall Dartez and the team is currently screening potential replacements. The Apache are not expected to sign an import anytime during the two game series against the Kyoto Hannaryz.


Saitama Broncos star Kazuya Hatano will be sidelined for two months due to a metacarpal fracture on his right hand. Hatano was injured on the Broncos last game against the Shiga Lakestars.

[CKR13]

The Touyama Grouses have parted ways with head coach Kohei Ito. Former Niigata Albirex assistant coach Kazuaki Shimoji was named as head coach.

Shiga Lakestars star guard Mikey Marshall will be sidelined for four weeks due to a stress fracture on his ankle.

Northern Akita Happinets have released forward Anthony Coleman. Akita signed Korean forward Jun Se-Young to fill the roster void.

Ryukyu Golden Kings have signed former East Tennessee State str Dillion Sneed as an import.

[CKR13]

Akita Northern Happinets veteran guard Makoto Hasegawa will take on the role of player as well as head coach on Akita's next game against the Takamatsu Five Arrows as head coach Bob Pierce is serving a one game suspension.

[CKR13]

A win and a loss for the Tokyo Apache on the series against the Kyoto Hannaryz.

1st Game: Tokyo Apache 115 Kyoto Hannaryz 102

Jumpei Nakama lead Tokyo with 32 points including going 7-11 from the three point distance.

2nd Game: Tokyo Apache 85 Kyoto Hannaryz 88

[CKR13]

Link Tochigi Brex 77 Toshiba Brave Thunders 86

Toshiba's imports of Charles O'Bannon and Corey Violet combined for 33 points. Takuya Kawamura scored 30 points for Link Tochigi.

Hitachi SunRockers 66 Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins 57

Joji Takeuchi powers Hitachi with a double-double of 16 points and 15 rebounds. Humiyo Nishimura aslo scored 16 points for Hitachi. Kei Igarashi paced Mitsubishi with 17 points.

Aisin Seahorses 51 Toyota Alvark 62

Toyota's team effort and balanced attack managed to hold off the efforts of Kosuke Takeuchi of Aisin with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Panasonic Trians 75 Hokkaido 70

Fumihiko Aono of Panasonic towered over the defense with 22 points alongside 2 blocks for the game. Takehiko Orimo scored a team high 14 points for Hokkaido.

[sinobball]

That brings the sum of twenty teams for the BJ-League 2011-2012 season.Biggest league in Asia?

[CKR13]

The Tokyo Apache have signed former University of Iowa guard Justin Johnson.

[CKR13]

Biggest league in Asia?

I am not sure at all if the BJ-League can be considered the biggest league in Asia just by the sheer number of participating teams. I think the Chinese Basketball Association have more teams at the moment.

[sinobball]

CBA won't go beyond 18 I'm sure. 20>18.
I doubt there's a bigger league in Asia if they expand to 20.

Anyway, rumors have it that Tseng Wen-Ting will suit up for the Osaka Evessa in the BJ-league next week. His original intent was to play for Shanghai Sharks in the CBA but he missed the registration deadline due to a contract problem in Taiwan. Now he'll have to finish the season in Japan and play in CBA next season.

[CKR13]

CBA won't go beyond 18 I'm sure. 20>18.
I doubt there's a bigger league in Asia if they expand to 20.

I concur. Logic wise. Thanks for citing the CBA's number of participating teams.


Anyway, rumors have it that Tseng Wen-Ting will suit up for the Osaka Evessa in the BJ-league next week. His original intent was to play for Shanghai Sharks in the CBA but he missed the registration deadline due to a contract problem in Taiwan. Now he'll have to finish the season in Japan and play in CBA next season.

That would be great. I remember Tseng's compatriot Chen Hsin-An, who also tried out for Osaka Evessa back in 2006. Currently Osaka has 18 players on its season roster plus the recent signing of Japanese-American Michael Katsuhisa.

http://www.evessa.com/team/index.php

[CKR13]

The Following are the signings:

Team/Player/College or School

Akita Northern Happinets: Will Graves (Dudley High School)

Sendai 89ers: Humi Yasuda (Niigata University)

Niigata Albirex: Yuki Sato (Niigata University)

Osaka Evessa : Tseng Wen-Ting (Yulong)

Takashi Amano (Yokohama Comprehensive)

Kevin Tyner (West Oregon State)

[CKR13]

Hitachi SunRockers 84 Link Tochigi Brex 58

Joji Takeuchi lead the rout against the defending JBL Champions with 9 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists; a point shy of a triple double. Takuya Kawamura, Link Tochigi's leading scorer as well as the league's leading scorer was limited to only 14 points.

Hokkaido 74 Toyota Alvark 84

Toyota's imports: Geoffrey Gibbs and Philip Richie lead Toyota by scoring 15 points apiece. Hokkaido was bannered by Ryota Sakurai and Daiji Yamada on which the duo scored 14 points each. While the veteran Takehiko Orimo, the JBL's third leading scorer, had 13 points in the game.

[CKR13]

Tokyo Apache 81 Akita Northern Happinets 72

Apache fought back from an 18 point deficit to win the game. Byron Eaton lead the charge with a team high 27 points. Robert Swift had a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds. Jeremy Tyler scored 13 points alongside 9 rebounds and 3 blocks.

[CKR13]

Tokyo Apache 91 Akita Northern Happinets 65

Robert Swift had a double double of 19 points and 12 rebounds.

[CKR13]

The Japanese Basketball Association Board Members has rejected the 36 Team Japanese Super League proposal by the Technical Committee. The proposed league will combine all existing teams from the BJ-League, JBL and JBL Division II.

[CKR13]

Aisin SeaHorses 99 Hokkaido 98

Aisin escaping almost an upset by the lowest ranking team on the season. Kosuke Takeuchi had a double double of 17 points and 15 rebounds for Aisin. Takehiko Orimo lead Hokkaido with a game high 30 points performance.


Link Tochigi Brex 90 Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins 76

Import Scott Merritt scored 25 points for Link Tochigi while Kazuyuki Nakagawa lead Mitsubishi with 26 points.

[CKR13]

Tokyo Apache 85 Osaka Evessa 84

The Apache we're trailing by 19 points with just four minutes remaining in the game but the Apache fought back and Byron Eaton shot the game winner as time expired to allow the Apache escape Evessa with a stealing victory. Eaton scored 25 points for Apache.

[CKR13]

Tokyo Apache 84 Osaka Evessa 77

Byron Eaton scored a game high 32 points and the rest of the team held a stubborn defense to sweep Osaka.

The Apache are now 18-10.

[CKR13]

Hokkaido 89 Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins 61

Takehiko Orimo scored 26 points for Hokkaido to win while Mitsubishi's Ron Hale scored 20 points.

Link Tochigi Brex 87 Aisin Seahorses 74

Takuya Kawamura scored 24 points for Tochigi while Aisin was bannered by Shinsuke Kashiwagi with 17 points.

[CKR13]

The two teams split their two game series:

Game 1: Tokyo Apache 92 Ryukyu Golden Kings 84

Game 2: Ryukyu Golden Kings 92 Tokyo Apache 85

[sinobball]

I am not sure at all if the BJ-League can be considered the biggest league in Asia just by the sheer number of participating teams. I think the Chinese Basketball Association have more teams at the moment.
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/yb/155819461
Plan for 36-team league rejected by JBA board
By Ed Odeven, Japan Times, Tokyo

Feb. 18--It's back to the drawing board for the Japan Basketball Association.

The JBA's board members held a meeting Wednesday and rejected a proposal to merge the bj-league, JBL and JBL2 teams into a new 36-team professional hoop circuit for the 2013 season.

The latest proposal was unilaterally concocted behind closed doors without the bj-league's knowledge, input or support, The Japan Times has learned after speaking to bj-league officials.

So it's no surprise that the plan had limited support.

Or as one bj-league coach said after hearing the news, "Are they completely nuts? Uh, yes."

JBL and JBA officials assembled together this latest concept for a new league and outlined their goals, including a 68-game regular season, 16 more games than bj-league teams currently play and 26 more than JBL teams now play.

There are currently 16 bj-league teams, with four joining the fray next fall, and more expansion talk for 2012-13, so the concurrent merger talks can even be deemed Plan B. The JBL's first division has eight teams and the JBL2 has nine.

The rejected blueprint included a plan to have pro and amateur teams at the start, with all teams being required to become pro clubs in two years.

Presently, six of the JBL's first-division clubs operate as corporate teams, with only Link Tochigi Brex and Hokkaido considered pro squads.

In recent years, as merger talk has popped up from time to time, there have been several sources who have said Toyota Motors and Toshiba are among the companies that would drop their JBL teams rather than join a pro league.

Indeed, the long-term financial investment and uncertainties of this venture are big factors. Other unknowns include how to sort out the never-ending problem of securing home venues, team salary caps (having it or not), and foreign player quota.

This latest proposal states that teams in the new league would be permitted to have company or geographical names from the outset, but the goal is to have nicknames for all teams in the future, which the bj-league has.

What happens next -- counterproposals and countless meetings, for starters -- will probably include a spirited debate over how many teams to put in the so-called merger, and how/if to hold a dispersal draft.

"Thirty-six (teams) are too many," a JBA official was quoted as saying by Kyodo News. "Some teams could go out of business sooner or later."

The team formerly known as Rera Kamuy Hokkaido has had major financial problems in recent years and is currently being run by a JBA proxy, Japan Basketball Operation.

In addition, the bj-league's Takamatsu Five Arrows and Oita HeatDevils and other clubs have also been plagued by financial woes.

Around the league: Miyazaki forward Brandon Cole's latest blog entry for Asia-basket.com has been posted online. He offers his thoughts about his team's performance and its recent success. . . . Former Fukuoka and Takamatsu coach John Neumann is currently guiding the Romanian national team.

Here's one reason the Sendai 89ers are in second place: They have 533 assists and 388 turnovers. Of the team's major contributors, only center Chris Holm has more turnovers than assists. In addition, backup guard Takehiko Shimura has 44 assists and seven turnovers in 439 minutes.

Upcoming schedule: This weekend's six series are Saitama vs. Miyazaki, Shiga vs. Ryukyu, Kyoto vs. Niigata, Akita vs. Hamamatsu Higashimikawa, Sendai vs. Toyama and Shimane vs. Takamatsu.

Tokyo plays host to Osaka next Tuesday and Wednesday nights at Yoyogi National Gymnasium No. 2.

Love for the game: Though he turns 40 on April 2, Akita guard Makoto Hasegawa remains a dependable player, a go-to scorer at times and a leader at both ends of the court.

Tokyo coach Bob Hill, for one, appreciates the impact Hasegawa has made in the bj-league and the positive impressions that so many Japanese have of his pro career.

"I don't think his age has as much to do with it as his love to play basketball and his passion to play basketball," Hill said after seeing Hasegawa score 14 points and make two steals on Tuesday. "You have to have that when you are 40 years old to play professional basketball. That's obviously what he has.

"When you're a basketball coach there are certain players that come in for the other team and sometimes you are happy they are coming in and sometimes you are not that happy," Hill added. "When he comes in the game, I'm not that happy.

"He can make shots, he's smart, and he makes the right pass. He doesn't guard anymore like I'm sure he used to. I don't have a frame of reference for that, but he's a very, very, very good basketball player, and my team knows how I feel about it. But I think it's his deep desire to want to play. I mean, he can still shoot, make free throws, make the right passes."

More Happinets talk: Despite the Northern Happinets' 10-22 record as an expansion team, Hill said the team is no pushover.

"The team we just beat is better than people think," Hill said Tuesday night.

But consistent shooting remains a weak point of the first-year team, as evidenced by 31.3 shooting on 3s and 46.7 on 2s through Wednesday.

Akita welcomes Will Graves, who played college ball at perennial power North Carolina, to the rotation for this weekend's series against defending championship Hamamatsu Higashimikawa.

Graves arrived in Japan on Tuesday. An introductory news conference was planned for him in Akita on Thursday.

Happinets coach Bob Pierce said Graves' size, speed and strength will give the team a much-needed boost. He said Graves' ability to attack the basket, shoot from the outside and defend multiple positions will "fit the team's needs."

"We have rough shooting nights no matter what the defense does," Akita coach Bob Pierce said candidly after the series finale. "We can't shoot."

He admitted the Apache's lockdown defense, which held the Happinets to 23-for-69 shooting on Wednesday, was impressive but his team didn't help its own cause.

"We don't make open shots," Pierce said. "Our first three plays of the fourth quarter were wide open. We ran the plays the way they were supposed to be, with guys wide open, and we can't make a shot. . . . It's five against one. We have no help.

"(Point guard) Sek (Henry) is so frustrated because no matter who he passes to they are going to miss. . . . We can't shoot. That's why we need Will (Graves), somebody who can score. . . . (Antonio) Burks needs somebody else to help him get free."

Tough matchup: Tokyo center Robert Swift, who played under Hill with the Seattle SuperSonics, has six double-doubles in the past seven games, including 14-, 15- and 16-rebound efforts. In addition, he's made 62.1 percent of his field-goal attempts (No. 2 in the league).

"He's way too big and strong for us. We tried to double team him and it just leaves Cohey (Aoki) and Jumpei (Nakama) open for shots," Pierce said. "We can't guard him one-on-one. He's really smart. You can tell he's an experienced player. He uses his body well. If he's double-teamed, he passes out, he seals. I like him.

"I don't know what kind of conditioning he would need to get back to the NBA, that's a different level than here, but we can't guard him."

Working through a slump: Apache guard Jumpei Nakama, a first-time All-Star this season, went a combined 5-for-25 from the field (3-for-15 on 3-pointers) on Feb. 6 against Kyoto and Tuesday against Akita.

He bounced back against the Happinets on Wednesday, shooting 6-for-11 (3-for-7 from long range) and finished with 17 points. Prior to the mini-slump, the Hiroshima native, who's averaging a career-high 12.5 points, scored 32 points and flushed 7 of 12 3s against the Hannaryz on Feb. 5.

"He and Cohey are very similar," Hill said after Wednesday's game. "They both get lots of shots at practice, and today they were here early to get even more shots. His remedy is more shots.

"I try to encourage him in the games when he's open. He has to shoot it, they both have to keep shooting. Shooters shoot. That's what they do."

Perimeter marksman, however, need to let shots come within the flow of the game.

"I thought last night, though, he forced himself some when he shouldn't have. He made some bad decisions last night," Hill said of Nakama.

He added: "Jumpei is an excellent basketball player and his defense -- we had a long talk about his defense at the beginning of the year -- and he's guarded some imports and done a good job.

"I'm not worried about his shooting. He'll get it back."

For the season, Nakama is 65-for-164 on 3s (39.6, No. 4 in the league) and is a major part of Tokyo's diversified offense.

"He approaches a slump the right way," the coach added. "He gets in the gym and shoots and shoots and shoots."

No position players: Certain players can be labeled as "no-position players" based on the fact that their body type or skill set don't fit neatly into any of the five positions. Sports Illustrated recently provide its own example of this, citing University of Arizona standout Derrick Williams.

With that in mind, one Eastern Conference coach offered his thoughts on current and former bj-league players who fit the above description.

"Marlyn Bryant who played for Fukuoka last year might be the best example, sort of a power forward in a guard body," the coach said.

"Players like (Shiga's) Gary Hamilton, who is a rebounding power forward, except that he also is a deft passer and has great hands to get steals.

"Or (Toyama's) Brian Harper, who has the height of a power forward, but has a build and the game of a shooting guard.

"Oita's Damian Johnson might be the closest to what the article about Derrick Williams was talking about. He's not a true shooting guard or power forward, but morphs into either of those from the small forward spot depending on what his team needs or who his teammates are. . . . (Yosuke) Sugawara last year for Ryukyu was kind of in that mold as well.

"Maybe (Shuichi) Takada for Takamatsu. He's turned into one heck of a player. Would be nice to see him on a good team. He could be (chosen for) bj-league Best 5 if he was in the right situation."

"The upper-echelon teams in the bj-league average 12 turnovers (per game)," Hill said. "We average 18, so we have to clean that up," he added, citing a need to challenge his players to make better decisions with the basketball. . . .

The Apache had 14 first-half turnovers on Tuesday and one in the second half.

Tokyo, playing before triple-digit crowds at Yoyogi for most of their home games, has struggled to play four consistent quarters in front of the hometown fans. "We're a better road team than we are a hometown," Hill said. "You tell me why; I don't know."

The latest issue of Tokyo Weekender features a story on the Apache.

Quotable: "We were absolutely despicably awful. We just were awful. We were out of sync. We didn't play hard. We just were bad." -- Hill, sizing up his team's play in the opening half against Akita on Tuesday, when it had 14 turnovers and played listless defense.

Closing commentary: Former Evessa coach Kensaku Tennichi is working as a color analyst for some GAORA telecasts, serving up keen perspective on the league, which he gained from five super seasons with Osaka.

You would think this is a good thing, especially because Tennichi has been involved in more bj-league games than almost anyone in Japan -- players, coaches and game officials.

(And obviously he has plenty of insight about how this league and its 16 current teams operate.)

But apparently, petty jealousy and short-sightedness -- two big factors that often lead to failure or slowing down progress -- have reared their ugly heads.

A league insider has told The Japan Times that some bj-league officials are reportedly not happy that Tennichi, who now coaches the Ashiya University men's team, is working for GAORA. The source also said that the league is subtly pressuring GAORA to stop using Tennichi on telecasts.

What a joke.

A league with limited visibility in the public eye -- it hasn't been around long enough or risen to a respectable level of popularity -- fails to realize that Tennichi, who captured three titles as Osaka's bench boss, led the Evessa to a championship runnerup last season and a Final Four berth in 2008-09 and, oh, by the way, won 70.4 percent (162-68) of the time has a treasure chest of anecdotes and knowledge about the 16-team circuit.

In fact, Tennichi should be viewed as an asset, not a nuisance or suddenly unwelcome "outsider."

Do you have a story idea about the bj-league?

Send an e-mail to: edward.odeven@japantimes.co.jp

Staff writer Kaz Nagatsuka contributed to this report.

[CKR13]

It is looking more likely that Jeremy Tyler of the Tokyo Apache will be entering the 2011 NBA Draft.

[CKR13]

The proposed league of incorporating the BJ-League, JBL Division I and JBL Division II is very ambitious. Many basketball fans have called it as the Japanese Basketball Super League. On the standpoint of a fan, it is a dream come true but on the side of being an administrator, the scheduling, business model and internal structure is very difficult.

Also, coaches and team owners have divided opinions regarding the matter.

[CKR13]

This weekend, the Tokyo Apache will face the Shiga Lakestars on a two game series. The Apache are without prolific scorer Byron Eaton but new import Justin Johnson will make his debut and play for the Apache.


Johnson
http://www.tokyoapache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Justin.jpg

[CKR13]

The Tokyo Apache dropped its two games against the Shiga Lakestars as the Apache were reeling badly from the absence of playmaker and scorer Byron Eaton.

Tokyo Apache 81 Shiga Lakestars 87

Tokyo Apache 79 Shiga Lakestars 100

After the two games, the Apache's record stands at 19-13 and will face the Northern Akita Happinets on a two game series on March 9 and 10.

[CKR13]

Aisin SeaHorses 83 Toshiba Brave Thunders 76

Aisin was bannered by Kosuke Takeuchi who scored 24 points alongside 9 rebounds and Shinsuke Kashiwagi with 19 points.

Shoeheii Kikuchi lead Toshiba with a team high 18 points.


Link Tochigi Brex 89 Toyota Alvark 65

Tochigi's import Scott Merritts lead the team with 26 points and 9 rebounds. Takuya Kawamura was limited to 12 points in the game.

[CKR13]

Akita Northern Happinets head coach, former NBA affiliate coach Bob Pierce commented on the stagnation of player development in the JBL and is confident that the BJ-League offers better potential development for local players.


"One of the problems I always see when people discus the two leagues from the JBL and/or JBA perspective is that they totally ignore the import players, as if they don't exist. They only compare Japanese players to Japanese players. Yes, most of the Japanese players in the JBL are better than most of the Japanese players in the bj-league.

"Of course that argument is beginning to change with Ishizaki now playing in the bj-league. But the vast majority of Japanese players that we are talking about are not NBA-level players, nor are they NCAA Division I-level players. Almost all are NCAA Division II, and more realistically, NAIA-level players."

Players in the bj-league, from (Shiga All-Star guard Masashi) Joho to Cohey to (Saitama All-Star forward Kazuya) Hatano have shown remarkable improvement during their time in the bj-league. Playing with and against so many foreign players has had a major impact on their improved level of play. That this growth and improvement is ignored by those outside the league is very sad.

"How good could Kawamura — a two-time JBL scoring champ and current scoring leader — or the Takeuchi twins be now if they had played in the bj-league instead of the JBL? Imagine if every weekend Joji and Kosuke (Takeuchi) were matched up with Ryukyu's Jeff Newton, Osaka's Lynn Washington, Sendai's Mike Bell, Hamamatsu's Jeffrey Parmer, Toyama's Brian Harper, Fukuoka's Michael Parker, etc?

"The JBL now has only one player 6-foot-11 (210 cm) or taller, Fumihiko Aono at Panasonic, while the bj-league has 10 or more. Not to mention all the guys 6-10 (208 cm). Most of the JBL imports are 6-7 (200 cm) to 6-9 (206 cm). Talented players, sure, but not at all what you see when you look at the NBA or the top teams in the Euroleague. The bj-league gives players a taste of what to expect if they were to play in a higher league."

[CKR13]

Game 1

The Tokyo Apache dropped a very close game to the Northern Akita Happinets 100-98.

Game 2

The Tokyo Apache bouncing back to a resounding victory over the Northern Akita Happinets. Jeremy Tyler scored 24 points. Center Robert Swift had 21 points and 16 rebounds.


Swift
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/183396_208056345877839_137623576254450_939378_3133 398_a.jpg

[CKR13]

The expansion team of the Iwate prefecture that is set to join next season for the BJ-League 2011-2012 season will be known as the Iwate Big Bulls.

[CKR13]

The expansion team, the Shinshu Brave Warriors that are set to play for their first season for next season, have revealed their official team logo.


http://livedoor.2.blogimg.jp/bjld_2005/imgs/0/3/0323e77f.jpg

[CKR13]

There is a chance that the Sendai 89ers vs Hamamatsu Higashi Mikawa Phoenix Game on March 19, 2011 to be held at the Sendai City Gymnasium could be cancelled and perhaps relocated to the neighboring Iwate prefecture due to potential and hazardous safety conditions as the site will be re-evaluated after the recent 8.9 Magnitude Quake struck the Miyagi Prefecture.

Also, the out-rush of water that have caused urban flooding is also well documented.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/images/photos2011/nn20110311x4a.jpg

The Sendai 89ers roster are currently in Nagaoka City, Niigata for their game against the Niigata Albirex on Saturday, March 12, 2011.



Sendai 89ers = 8.9 Magnitude Quake. Quite the coincidence.

[CKR13]

Half of the Sendai 89ers players and staff returned to Sendai, Miyagi province to be with their families while half of the team stayed behind in Niigata, Nagaoka city under the hospitality of the Niigata Albirex organization for temporary refuge.

The 89ers also suffered damages to their team facilities and is now facing a looming financial crisis as local sponsors also are reeling from the recent earthquake and tsunami flooding.

Most of the player's apartments were badly damaged from the disaster.

[CKR13]

In wake of last week's devastating earthquake and tsunami, various BJ-League teams have started fund raisers like the Miyazaki Shining Suns, Niigata Albirex, Osaka Evessa, Oita Heat Devils and the Toyama Grouses.

More BJ-League teams are expected to join as the BJ-League itself is preparing a fund raising event alongside humanitarian supplies drive.

[CKR13]

In the wake of last week's national disaster, the BJ-League cancelled all 14 scheduled games supposedly to be played yesterday, including the game that pits the Sendai 89ers versus the reigning BJ-League champions, the Hamamatsu Phoenix Higashimikawa that was scheduled this coming weekend.

The BJ-League is currently evaluating on how to salvage the remainder of the season or to just cancel the season all through-out. A decision will be announced this Thursday, eastern time.

[Khalid80]

In the wake of last week's national disaster, the BJ-League cancelled all 14 scheduled games supposedly to be played yesterday, including the game that pits the Sendai 89ers versus the reigning BJ-League champions, the Hamamatsu Phoenix Higashimikawa that was scheduled this coming weekend.

The BJ-League is currently evaluating on how to salvage the remainder of the season or to just cancel the season all through-out. A decision will be announced this Thursday, eastern time.

The disaster/catastrophe that happened in Japan is really something that will take a while for the Japanese people to recover from and for sure right now basketball would probably be the last thing on their minds as they're trying to deal with a nuclear crisis, providing the essential necessities such as food, water, and shelter...electricity...searching for any remaining survivors...etc
Really sad.....My thoughts are with them :(

[Mojado]

Various News from Japan's leagues:
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/sports/T110316004725.htm
http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=14267450
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sk20110317b1.html
http://www.huliq.com/10061/kobe-bryant-says-parents-ok-tokyo-after-lakers-loss-miami-heat
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sk20110317b1.html
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sk20110313b1.html
http://www.broward-directory.com/wordpress/2011/03/japan-quake-shocks-south-florida-sun/
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sk20110316b1.html
http://www.lmtribune.com/blogs/2011/03/15/idaho-vandals/hopson-ok-in-japan/

[CKR13]

The BJ-League have announced last night (Local Eastern Time) that the Sendai 89ers, Tokyo Apache and Saitama Broncos have concluded their season.

The Sendai 89ers reported irreparable damage on their facilities as well as the magnitude of destruction in Sendai, Miyagi prefecture that is impossible to hold any games for the meanwhile.

While the Tokyo Apache and Saitama Broncos rosters was depleted with their respective departure of foreign players due to the health hazard threat of the Nuclear Fallout.

The Saitama Broncos organization could not continue front office operations due to the power failure in Saitama and the rotating blackouts within the area.

For the Apache, General Manager Conor Neu, Head coach Bob Hill as well as the following players have all flown back to the United States.

Robert Swift
Jeremy Tyler
Mike Chappell
Byron Eaton
Justin Johnson
Darrin Satoshi Maki

The BJ-League games will resume this weekend featuring the matchups of:

Kyoto Hannaryz vs Miyazaki Shining Suns
Osaka Evessa vs Shiga Lakestars
Shimane Susanoo Magic vs. Ryukyu Golden Kings
Rizing Fukuoka vs. Oita HeatDevils

A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to charity for the Miyagi prefecture.

[CKR13]

The JBL had announced the cancellation of the remainder of the 2010-2011 JBL Season.

http://www.jbl.or.jp/topics/JBL2010-2011season_cancel.pdf

[sinobball]

A little off topic,

A women's basketball player, Sachiko Ishikawa (famous for her bald head), is one of the 2 Japanese players in the Chinese league this season. She finished the season a few days ago and took the plane back home, which happened to be Sendai. The plane arrived in Sendai Airport at 14:25 local time. The earthquake happened 14:46 local time. The Chinese team got really worried but thanks to a tweet from Yuko Oga, Ishikawa's teammate in Japan NT, they now know she's all right in a shelter. The power of twitter.

http://twitter.com/shenyang86/status/47421931892379648

The most recognizable head among FIBA women's players. She actually suffers from alopecia areata.
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/06Imar510ccE2/x610.jpg

[CKR13]

The Head coach of the Oita HeatDevils, L.J. Hepp and three foreign players Rolando Howell, Cyrus Tate and Taj Finger have secured an agreement with the team to part ways.

Oita now has only two foreign players on their roster with point guard Matt Lotich and forward Damian Johnson. Both have confirmed to play for the weekend as the Oita will face Rizing Fukuoka.

As of the moment, no head coach has yet to be named by Oita.

[CKR13]

There are reports that the Iwate Prefecture's BJ-League Expansion team, Iwate Big Bulls, that was supposed to be playing their maiden season for the the BJ-League 2011-2012 season, will not be making their entry next season due to the massive destruction brought by last week's massive earthquake, ensuing tsunami and radiation bio hazard due to a nuclear plant meltdown.

[CKR13]

The BJ-League resumed action with the Oita HeatDevils hosting the Shiga Lakestars. The HeatDevils won against the Lakestars 88-80 with Oita's Lawrence Blackledge attaining a double double game of 19 points and 10 rebounds.

[Lowman]

It was good to see the bj league in action this weekend. I really hope that the league is able to come up with a firm plan/schedule for the rest of the season soon. Now that Jeremy Tyler and the Tokyo Apache have ended their season I think I will spend more time watching Tseng on the Osaka Evessa. Why not support the Taiwan superstar?

The situation in Oita is ridiculous. I tried to look at a similar situation in the States. It would be like a natural disaster occuring in Boston and then people in Charlotte evacuating. To me it seems like there were some unhappy players who decided this was a convenient time to get out.

[CKR13]

With the Tokyo Apache out of commission for the remainder of the season, I will have to root for the Shimane Susanoo Magic. That said:


Rizing Fukuoka 96 Oita HeatDevils 85

Kyoto Hannaryz 86 Miyazaki Shining Suns 73

Shiga Lakestars 102 Osaka Evessa 86

[CKR13]

The Kyoto Hannaryz have officially released center Wendell White, the 2009-2010 Bj-League MVP and lead the Hamamatsu Phoenix Higashi Mikawa to the 2010 BJ-League Championship.

[nardy]

Is there any news if Japan would still be sending a Club Team to the 2011 22nd FIBA Asia Champions Cup that's scheduled on May 28-Jun 5, 2011 at Pasig City, Philippines ?

And if ever which team is going, would it come from the JBL or the BJ-League?

[CKR13]

Is there any news if Japan would still be sending a Club Team to the 2011 22nd FIBA Asia Champions Cup that's scheduled on May 28-Jun 5, 2011 at Pasig City, Philippines ?

And if ever which team is going, would it come from the JBL or the BJ-League?

For the JBL, the teams have disbanded as each player and their imports have gone separate ways for now. So we can cross out any JBL team as JABBA will determine in April on how the National Team will be organized for the coming FIBA Asia Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

While the BJ-League has lost three teams of Saitama, Sendai and Tokyo, thus forcing the league to adapt a new schedule to accommodate all active teams. Most likely the BJ-League playoff winner / champion will proceed to the FIBA Asia Club Championships in late May, but it all depends on the ownership of the said team if they will allocate funds for the team's campaign on the said tournament.

Frankly, with the recent string disaster happened in Japan as well as how the BJ-League was shaken of what happened to Sendai as well as desertion of foreign players, the Club championships is still far from their agenda.

[nardy]

For the JBL, the teams have disbanded as each player and their imports have gone separate ways for now. So we can cross out any JBL team as JABBA will determine in April on how the National Team will be organized for the coming FIBA Asia Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

While the BJ-League has lost three teams of Saitama, Sendai and Tokyo, thus forcing the league to adapt a new schedule to accommodate all active teams. Most likely the BJ-League playoff winner / champion will proceed to the FIBA Asia Club Championships in late May, but it all depends on the ownership of the said team if they will allocate funds for the team's campaign on the said tournament.

Frankly, with the recent string disaster happened in Japan as well as how the BJ-League was shaken of what happened to Sendai as well as desertion of foreign players, the Club championships is still far from their agenda.

Thanks for enlighting us. We do wish everything gets back to order in Japan as it is really so difficult for any nation to recover from such a strong earthquake and the damaging effects of the tsunami. Our prayers to all of Japan.

[CKR13]

The BJ-League have announced that the playoff schedule though TBD (To Be Determined) will push through. But the League have announced that the Final Four will be held Ariake Colosseum, originally slated for May 21-22.

This makes participation for the FIBA Asia Champions Cup to be held in Manila impossible to attend. Only the JBL would have been capable of participating as their championship phase concludes at around mid May.

[sinobball]

My impression is BJ-league is more interested in playing leagues from other teams than JBL.

Particularly right after the season.

Although no Japanese team has seen action in the Asian Club Championship for a decade. That probably can be said for all East Asian pro teams, too lazy to check.

[CKR13]

With the Saitama Broncos, Tokyo Apache and Senda 89ers ending their season abruptly, there are still good free agents on the market. This free agents would bolster the ranks of playoff bound teams.

Tokyo Apache
Kensuke Tanaka
Jumpei Nakama
Cohey Aoki

Saitama Broncos
Kazuya Hatano

Sendai 89ers
Kenichi Takahashi

Recently, the following players were picked up by other BJ-League teams:

Takehiko Shimura (Sendai 89ers) Signed by Ryukyu Golden Kings.
Daiki Terashita (Saitama Broncos) Signed by the Shiga Lakestars.

[CKR13]

The city of Kyoto alongside construction partner firm Orimashita Development Corporation have granted the Kyoto Arena to be the home stadium of the Kyoto Hannaryz and was re-named as the Hannaryz Aren. The term will be effective in April 2011 to March 21, 2011.

[CKR13]

BJ-League Commissioner Toshimitsu Kawachi has released an official Press Statement regarding the continuation of the BJ-League, The BJ-League's continuing fund raisers and the dedication of the games towards everyone who was affected by the recent string of disasters.


Toshimitsu Kawachi
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/images/photos2011/sk20110318b1a.jpg

http://bjleague.livedoor.biz/archives/51720258.html

[nardy]

My impression is BJ-league is more interested in playing leagues from other teams than JBL.

Particularly right after the season.

Although no Japanese team has seen action in the Asian Club Championship for a decade. That probably can be said for all East Asian pro teams, too lazy to check.

Was able to talk to one of the organizing committee members and JABBA had said they'll send a team and just like the Philippines, it'll be the National Team as part of their preparation for the Wuhan FIBA ASIA Championship.

[Khalid80]

Was able to talk to one of the organizing committee members and JABBA had said they'll send a team and just like the Philippines, it'll be the National Team as part of their preparation for the Wuhan FIBA ASIA Championship.

Thanks for the info! That would be a great idea if they can do so... I still think this tragedy in Japan will greatly affect numerous aspects of everyday lives of the Japanese people for this year, sports being one of them, as the Japanese NT might not be able to prepare well for the Asian Championships but let's hope for the best.

[CKR13]

Aisin Sea Horses veteran point guard and National Team veteran Kenichi Sako has announced his retirement as the JBL 2010-2011 Season was abruptly canceled.

Sako lead the defunct Isuzu Gigacats to five JBL Championships during the 90's and Sako was a member of Japan's National Youth and Senior Team since 1991.


http://www.japantimes.co.jp/images/photos2011/sk20110327a3a.jpg

[CKR13]

The Aisin Seahorses were announced as First Place on the abruptly canceled JBL 2010-2011 Season. Tomorrow, the JBL will announce the Individual Awards.

[CKR13]

Link Tochigi Brex and head coach Bruce Palmer have agreed on a two year contract extension.

[CKR13]

Osaka Evessa has signed former Saitama Broncos, Kenny Satterfield for the remainder of the season.

While Osaka released forward Lawrence Blackledge.

[CKR13]

The Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins have renewed the contracts of the following players:


http://www.mitsubishielectric.co.jp/basket/dolphins/contents/news_event/10_11/images/032909kaji.jpg
G Shingo Kajiyama


http://www.mitsubishielectric.co.jp/basket/dolphins/contents/news_event/10_11/images/032911jyun.jpg
C Jun Ozawa


http://www.mitsubishielectric.co.jp/basket/dolphins/contents/news_event/10_11/images/032915takuya.jpg
C Takuya Sato


http://www.mitsubishielectric.co.jp/basket/dolphins/contents/news_event/10_11/images/032927tashiro.jpg
G Takuya Tashiro


http://www.mitsubishielectric.co.jp/basket/dolphins/contents/news_event/10_11/images/032931yuki.jpg
F Kuo Tagami


http://www.mitsubishielectric.co.jp/basket/dolphins/contents/news_event/10_11/images/032932AJ.jpg
G Zyun Abe


http://www.mitsubishielectric.co.jp/basket/dolphins/contents/news_event/10_11/images/032933utsumi.jpg
G Shingo Utsumi


Details of the contract were not disclosed.

[CKR13]

Today, the BJ-League has unveiled the playoffs format for 2011.


http://livedoor.blogimg.jp/bjld_2005/imgs/3/b/3bdc2a8b.jpg

[CKR13]

The Akita Northern Happinets have signed Saitama Broncos guard Yuki Kitamuki.

The Miyazaki Shining Suns have signed Saitama Broncos guard Shina Takehiro and Daisuke Takaoka from the Sendai 89ers.

[CKR13]

Most Valuable Player: JR Sakuragi (Aishin Seahorses)

All JBL Team / Top Five Players:

Hiroyuki Kinoshita (Panasonic Trians)
Takuya Kawamura (Link Tochigi Brex)
Joji Takeuchi (Hitachi SunRockers)
Kosuke Takeuchi (Aishin Seahorses)
JR Sakuragi (Aishin Seahorses)

Rookie of the Year (2011): Hiroshi Kobayashi (Hitachi SunRockers)

Lifetime Achievement Award: (Special Award)

Kenichi Sako (Aishin Seahorses)

[CKR13]

1. Kazuya Hatano is considering an offer from the JBL Team, the Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins.

2. Head coaches Bob Hill (Tokyo Apache) Bob Nash (Saitama Broncos) could return to coaching on the BJ-League next season.

[CKR13]

http://www.jbl.or.jp/common/images/img_top.jpg

The JBL's Charity Event dedicated to raising funds for the victims of the recent disasters will be held later this week on April 10, 2011.

The following players have confirmed participation for the game:

Link Tochigi Brex

Takuya Kawamura
Shunsuke Ito

Hitachi SunRockers

Joji Takeuchi

Aishin Seahorses

Kenichi Sako
Shinsuke Kashiwagi
Shogo Asayama
Tomoo Amino

Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins

Kei Igarashi
Shingo Utsumi

Panasonic Trians

Kenta Hirose

Hokkaido Basketball Club

Joji Katsumata
Daisuke Noguchi
Tomokazu Abe
Daiji Yamada
Takehiko Orimo
Masanobu Ito
Ryota Sakurai
Hidenori Kashiwakura

The organizers expects more players to attend the event.

[CKR13]

Several JBL sources have stated that Link Tochigi Brex is preparing a new contract for point guard Yuta Tabuse for the 2011-2012 JBL Season.

[CKR13]

Since last month, the BJ-League's hottest team is the Rizing Fukuoka, who have won seven games straight. Imports Nile Murray and Michael Parker had been playing well on the perimeter.


Shimane Susanoo Magic 90 Northern Akita Happinets 56

Takumi Ishizaki lead the rout with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.


Ishizaki made great strides since moving into the BJ-League from the JBL.

[CKR13]

Tokyo Apache Team President and former National Football League Player Chris Hetherington was interviewed via email recently by Asahi.com (http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201104090178.html)


Asahi Shimbun: It seemed like you guys were really starting to build a decent fan base this season. How was the decision reached to abandon the rest of the 2011 season and whose call was it?

Chris Hetherington: I am really proud of the product we had this season. Our goal was to build a franchise that our fans, league and city were proud of and to compete for a championship. We were humble enough to make changes for the benefit of our fans as the season progressed, and I believe the atmosphere was very exciting. As you know, it is tough to create demand from scratch, but we worked really hard to deliver what we promised to the fans. In light of the circumstances, I don't think "abandon" is a fair or accurate term.

The management team was constantly monitoring the situation after the earthquake, and we made a decision that was best for the safety and well-being of our staff. Everyone was open to coming back for the playoffs, but it did not work out that way.

AS: For a team not based in the Tohoku region and whose home court (Yoyogi Gymnasium) did not suffer major structural damage, it seemed to be a drastic measure. Was the decision based solely on your American players and coaches' desire to leave Japan due to fears of radiation leaks?

CH: I think the reaction of our coaches, players, and staff was similar to most people in Tokyo after this tragedy. Everyone in Tokyo was very concerned, and the families back in the U.S. were very concerned, as well. We were relying on information from the U.S. State Department, U.S. Embassy and various advisers. I am ultimately responsible for the safety of our staff and team members, and the downside risk was too great. In addition, the infrastructure needed to complete our season was unstable at best, as detailed in our press release, and summarized here: Our main practice gym was converted to an evacuation center; Our secondary practice gym also canceled all available practice time based on electricity concerns; We had limitations on operational supplies that could be better used by others in need (for example, gas and water).

AS: Considering that the bj-league and other domestic leagues (like baseball and soccer) are going ahead with their seasons, and many foreign business people are now back in Tokyo and working again, do you have any regrets at scrapping the rest of your season?

CH: In addition, there was the very real question of "appropriateness," as all of our staff, both Japanese and American, were very concerned with--and focused on--how we could help those in need as opposed to focusing on the game of basketball. The day we decided to suspend operations, the JBL had just canceled their season and soccer and baseball postponed theirs. When (fellow bj-league clubs) Sendai and Saitama suspended operations, six out of our remaining 10 home games were eliminated. Again, we were open to coming back in time (for the postseason), but the league decided not let the suspended teams come back for the playoffs.

AS: How will this affect your plans for the future? Are you planning to be back on the court next season and, if so, what is the status of coach Hill and your American players like Robert Swift?

CH: This will not affect our plans for next season. My staff is working on charity and relief efforts as well as plans for next season. We plan on coming back even stronger next season. I was extremely happy with coach Hill this season. He is a great coach, teacher, mentor and community ambassador. Most of all, he is a wonderful person. He was also great for the bj-league. I could not have been happier with the roster we put together. They are true professionals, on and off the court. When time permits, I will discuss our plans for next year with them.

AS: Will Jeremy Tyler, who decided to skip college, be back or is he planning on entering the NBA draft?

CH: I hope Jeremy will be a lottery pick in the NBA this year. That will be great for him and his family. He is a very talented basketball player and a special young man. When he goes to the NBA, it will be special for our team, our fans, our league and our city. Our goal as an organization is to help all of our players and staff realize their goals and potential.

[CKR13]

Shimane Susanoo Magic 100 Northern Akita Happinets 88

Takumi Ishizaki lead the Magic again with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal.

[CKR13]

Toyota Alvark veteran forward Huruta Satoshi has announced his retirement. Satoshi began his career with Mitsubishi when he signed with the team back in 1994 as a rookie and stayed with the team until 2004 where the following season in 2005, Satoshi would sign with Toyota.

Huruta's International Career playing for the Japanese National Team:

1990 Asian Junior Championships
1993 U-22 Asian Championship (Hong Kong) / Universiade (Buffalo)
1994 Asian Games (Hiroshima)
1995 Asian Championships (Seoul) / Universiade (Fukuoka)
1997 Asian Championships (Riyadh) / East Asian Games (Busan)
1998 World Championships (Greece) / Asian Games (Bangkok)
1999 Asian Championships (Fukuoka)
2001 East Asian Games (Osaka) / Asian Championships (Shanghai)
2002 Asian Games (Busan)
2003 Asian Championships (Harbin)
2005 4th East Asian region qualifying FIBA ​​Asian / Asian Championships (Doha) / East Asian Games (Macau)
2006 World Championship (Saitama)


http://gazoo.com/G-Blog/UserData/Community/Img/Album/_%e3%82%a2%e3%83%ab%e3%83%90%e3%83%ab%e3%81%8f%e3% 82%93_/57ff1736-4ece-409e-9112-b7b8c45cd2ed.jpg

[CKR13]

The Euroleague observed a moment of silence for Japan:


iq5sfMqaBYk&

While several players and coaches had personal messages for Japan. (http://bjleague.livedoor.biz/archives/51733297.html)

[CKR13]

Link Tochigi Brex is currently negotiating with the mid-term contract extensions of the following players:

Takuya Kawamura
Masahiro Omiya
Kenji Yamada
Ryozou Anzai
Ken Takeda
Yusuke Matida
Shunsuke Ito

[CKR13]

Niigata Albirex has released G/F Willie Veasley.

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Ryukyu Golden Kings claimed the Western Conference Top Seed for the BJ-League playoffs with a rout against the Miyazaki Shining Suns 113-82. Ryukyu is currently 33-16.

For the Eastern Conference, the Hamamatsu Higashi Mikawa Phoenix has been a lock for the Top Seed since December. Hamamatsu lost to Niigata Albirex last night and Hamamatsu is currently 39-6.

[CKR13]

Most Valuable Player: Jeffrey Parmer (Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix)

Best Five Season Players:
Wayne Arnold (Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix)
Takumi Ishizaki (Shimane Susanoo Magic)
Michael Parker (Rizing Fukuoka)
Anthony McHenry (Ryukyu Golden Kings)
Jeffrey Parmer (Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix)


Most Improved Player:
Kensuke Tanaka (Tokyo Apache)

[CKR13]

The Fukuoka Rizing have swept the Shimane Susanoo Magic on their first round series and Fukuoka advances to the Western Conference Semi-Finals against the Top Seeded team on the West, the Ryukyu Golden Kings.

[CKR13]

The Shiga Lakestars win the series against the Kyoto Hannaryz and Shiga advances to the next round in the western conference.

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BJ-League plans expansion after quake horror

(Reuters) - Japan's professional basketball league has bold plans for expansion rather than mere damage limitation despite being plunged into chaos by the deadly earthquake and tsunami on March 11.

With the two worst-hit teams in danger of collapse, Basketball Japan League Commissioner Toshimitsu Kawachi told Reuters the push to increase the number of clubs from 16 to 20 would continue at full pace.

The Sendai 89ers, the team based closest to the devastating 9.0 magnitude quake, and the Saitama Broncos have had players sent out on loan after being forced to scrap their seasons.

"There is a risk (of bankruptcy) for Sendai, or that both teams will be unable to play next season," Kawachi said in an interview.

"We are doing everything we can to have them among the expanded league of 20 teams in October for 2011-12 in terms of reducing further financial burden on them from the disaster."

Tokyo Apache also halted operations as a result of the quake and giant tsunami, which triggered a nuclear crisis after smashing into a plant 150 miles north of Japan's capital.

"Our practice sites were turned into rescue shelters for the survivors," said Apache President Chris Hetherington, whose club donated $1 million to tsunami relief efforts.

"And while apparently stable, the nuclear reactor at the Fukushima power plant still presented risks. The downside risk was too great."

Unlike Sendai and Saitama, who are staring into the financial abyss, Apache have no such problems, although it remains to be seen if former NBA coach Bob Hill will return.

"It was disappointing to have to leave after all the hard work we had put in," Hill, who led San Antonio to an NBA-best 62 wins in 1994-95, told Reuters by e-mail.

"With so many folks dying ... and the quakes continuing in Tokyo, basketball seemed so unimportant."

RADIATION LEAKS

The disaster left 28,000 people dead or missing and destroyed vast areas of northeast Japan, while blackouts and fears over radiation leaks hit sporting events nationwide.

"I have no idea if I will be back again in Tokyo," added Hill, who also coached the New York Knicks, Indiana and Seattle in his NBA career.

"I have had little communication with ownership and management at this point."

Losing Hill after less than a year would be a blow to Apache, who twice finished league runners-up under Joe Bryant, father of Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe.

But former NFL fullback Hetherington had no regrets about the decision to end the team's campaign with their record at 20-14.

"This curtailed season will not hurt the Apache," he said.

"We will take this time to build a more efficient and effective business."

Apache could also rake in cash and gain extra exposure thanks to 19-year-old power forward Jeremy Tyler, who is tipped as a potential number one overall pick in June's NBA draft.

Kawachi's staff, meanwhile, continue to work tirelessly to keep Saitama and Sendai, two of the trail-blazing six teams who launched the league in 2005, afloat.

"Okinawa are the top team in the West right now and would have a player on loan from Sendai for the final four in Tokyo on May 21-22," said the commissioner.

"There will be bus loads down from Sendai! We will be collecting money from a full house of 20,000. We will take every step to keep these two teams operating.

"The disaster resulted in a big financial loss for the league too but cancelling the whole season would not have been correct.

"Sport has shown it has the power to bring hope to people in despair. It has given us all added incentive to come out of this bigger and better."

At the moment, the Sendai 89ers and Saitama Broncos are in financial difficulties. Sendai's facilities of both team and front office organization were heavily damaged while Saitama has been dealing with financial problems since last year. The three expansion teams of: Shinshu Brave Warriors, Chiba Jets and Yokohama B-Corsairs are in schedule to debut for next season (BJ-League 2011-2012 season) while the supposedly fourth expansion team, the Iwate Big Bulls have rescinded their application on which the league had approved because of the Tsunami devastation incurred on March's mega quake. I am hoping that Iwate recovers and could join the 2014-2015 BJ-League expansion where five teams are also planning to enter.

For the tenth anniversary of the BJ-League in the 2014-2015 season, the following areas have applied for a franchise:


1. Akita - Will join the Northern Akita Happinets in the area. A team can settle in southern Akita.

2. Ibaraki Longhorns - Confirmed for 2014-2015.

3. Chiba - Will join the expansion team, the Chiba Jets scheduled to play for the the BJ-League 2011-2012 season.

4. Kanagawa - Kanagawa deserves a franchise.

5. Nagano - Will join the expansion team, the Shinshu Brave Warriors that are to debut next season (2011-2012)

6. Nara - Nara also is a potential market for basketball.

7. Shimane - Meaning the current team, the Shimane Susanoo Magic will have a rival within the area.

8. Miyagi - Could be a potential rival for the neighboring Sendai 89ers.

[CKR13]

Western Conference:

Ryukyu Golden Kings vs. Osaka Evessa

Eastern Conference:

Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix vs. Niigata Albirex