The Kawasaki Brave Thunders had a disappointing 2-8 start to open the 2024-25 B.League season. In addition, the rebuilding pro basketball franchise didn't win back-to-back games until late December, the season's third month.
There have, however, been signs of solid improvement of late.
Starting with their two-game sweep of the Ibaraki Robots to close out 2024, the Brave Thunders have won six of their last eight.
Kawasaki (10-22) earned its second series sweep of the season by topping the Nagasaki Velca 80-76 on Saturday, January 25 and 83-78 a day later.
Israeli head coach Ronen Ginzburg, in his first season at the helm, took over a Brave Thunders squad that had a 33-27 record in 2023-24. Finishing with a winning record again this season appears to be an insurmountable task, but moving up in the standings is a realistic target.
The Brave Thunders are in last place in the eight-team Central Conference.
Kawasaki plays the seventh-place Yokohama B-Corsairs (12-20) on Wednesday, January 29 at Yokohama International Swimming Pool. And only four wins separate the Brave Thunders and the sixth-place Fighting Eagles Nagoya (14-18).
After their midweek showdown with the B-Corsairs, the Brave Thunders play host to the Shiga Lakes (3-28) on Saturday and Sunday, February 1 and 2.
Successful Series Finale Against the Velca
In Nagasaki, balanced scoring helped secure the win against the hosts in the series finale.
Veteran big man Rosco Allen led the Brave Thunders with 18 points and four teammates, including swingman Ryo Iida with 14, also scored in double figures.
The Brave Thunders utilized their quickness and athleticism in the five-point victory, and an aggressive approach on offense paid off. They outscored the Velca 21-2 on fast-break points at Happiness Arena.
After the game, Ginzburg commended the effort of guards Koya Kobari (12 points, 2-for-3 on 3-point shots) and Reiya Nozaki (10 points, 2-for-3 on 3s) and Iida for their key performances.
"They came off the bench and played defense and scored more points, which solved the problems we were having," Ginzburg told reporters. "As I always say, what we were doing was not wrong, but we were not getting into what we wanted to do because our intensity had not improved."
Holding a 58-56 lead heading into the fourth quarter, Kawasaki maintained its poise to earn the win.
"I think it was a great step forward for the team," Ginzburg said in the postgame news conference.
Insights from Kawasaki's Kobari and Nozaki
Kobari acknowledged that the Velca posed challenges on defense for his team, including Nagasaki sharpshooter Masaya Karimata, who sank 5 of 6 3s in a 17-point outing.
"It was difficult to position the defense, but everyone persevered until the end, and the scorers were able to score points and win," Kobari said of his team.
Nozaki's perspective underlined the team's determination to play hard and make adjustments as the game progressed.
"The game did not start well [for us]," Nozaki told reporters. "But I think the reason for our victory was that we continued to persevere for the remaining 30 minutes from the second quarter, calmly created offense ... and continued to play with increased intensity on defense."
Killeya-Jones Makes a Big Impact for the Brave Thunders
In Kawasaki's series-opening win against Nagasaki, starting center Sacha Killeya-Jones had an exceptional performance on both ends of the floor.
The former University of Kentucky player contributed a game-high 33 points on 12-for-17 shooting. He made 8 of 8 free throws, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked a season-best nine shots, eclipsing his previous high of six.
With the 211-cm Killeya-Jones, a B.League newcomer this season, at the top of his game on defense, the Velca struggled to make baskets, shooting 38.2% from the floor.
Killeya-Jones said youthful energy contributed to the team's success in the series opener.
'We were patient, we didn't waver, and we did what we had to do," he told reporters. "I think we played a really good game today. The young players brought good energy to the team, which spread throughout the team, and we were able to fight through."
For Kawasaki, what were the deciding factors between a win and a loss?
Killeya-Jones said perseverance in overcoming a rough stretch at the end of the third quarter and start of the fourth quarter was important.
"I think we were able to win today because we have become a team that can do that," he said at Happiness Arena, "and because we were able to play defense. [And] I think that is what led to today's victory."
By the Numbers
Kawasaki is 15th among the B.League's 24 teams in scoring (75.9 points per game). Ginzburg's squad is one of the league's top passing teams, averaging 20.2 assists (fourth-best total).
Allen is eighth overall in scoring (17.3 ppg). Teammate Alize Johnson is No 8 in rebounding (8.8).
Killeya-Jones is the league leader in blocked shots (2.1 per game).
RELATED:
- B.League All-Star Game Defined by Endless Array of 3-Pointers
- San-en NeoPhoenix Take a 10-Game Win Streak into B.League All-Star Break
- Gunma Crane Thunders are Playing High-Caliber Defense This Season
Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login