Following the devastating natural disasters that have struck Japan, the economic aftershocks are just beginning. The blossoming Japanese Basketball League has decided to cancel the remainder of its season, including the playoffs. In a statement released by the league, spokesman Takeshi Itou cited safety, nuclear uncertainty, and electrical concerns as main reasons for the shutdown. In addition to the Japanese Basketball League, the bj-League, a more prominent league in Japan, has resumed its season tentatively after cancelling games in the wake of the disaster.
The cancellation has drawn criticism from some, including Ed Odeven of the Japan Times. In a Sunday editorial, he points the finger at the league, saying they did not “come up with an acceptable Plan B” to implement following the natural disaster.
While many areas in the northern part of the country have been literally swept away by devastating tsunami waters, many others have seen fewer problems. Northern prefectures, including the hard-hit cities of Sendai and Fukushima, have been brought to a near stand-still, making the long-term futures of teams like the Saitama Broncos, Tokyo Apache, and Sendai 89ers uncertain, Odeven speculates.
The bj-League is split into an Eastern and Western division. Since its creation in 2005, the league has expanded from six teams to its current sixteen team format.
Many American-born players have made their way to Japan to play professionally, including former University of Minnesota forward Damian Johnson, former Cincinnati Bearcat and Denver Nuggets point guard Kenny Satterfield, and the 39th pick in the 1997 NBA Draft, Jerald Honeycutt.
With the possibility of a lockout on the horizon for the NBA come June 30th, the bj-League was in prime position to pick up American talent and move to the forefront of worldwide competition. But, this cancellation could make for a major set-back.
Fears of a mass exodus of international players following the disaster put the league in a tough situation and some repercussions are already taking shape.
As reported by Odeven, Oita HeatDevils head coach L.J. Hepp was fired after three American players, including former University of South Carolina forward Rolando Howell, broke their contracts and left the team.
This move highlights the importance of international players to the development of the Japanese game.
"I did not quit and I had no intention of quitting,” Hepp said in interview with the Japan Times. "Because of the imports leaving . . . they said I am not the head coach anymore,"
According to a source, the smaller Japanese Basketball League had plans to merge with the larger bj-League within the next two to three years. But, these recent disastrous events put the plan in jeopardy.
The bj-League plans on playing the remainder of its season, minus the Sendai 89ers, whose home prefecture was ravaged by the disasters.
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