NIIGATA — The victorious East team had 34 assists in its runaway victory over the West in the 2007-08 bj-league All-Star Game on Saturday. But really, you could say, it finished with one big, collective assist, a well-deserved pat on the back for getting the ball to the right man at the right time.

News photoNaoto Kosuge holds up his 1,000,000 yen check and MVP trophy after winning the 2007-08 bj-league All-Star Game MVP award on Saturday at Toki Messe in Niigata. Kosuge scored a game-high 31 points. ED ODEVEN PHOTO

Niigata Albirex BB shooting guard Naoto Kosuge, especially, was the recipient of smart passing and helping make this game a memorable shooters' showcase.