The bj-league is working tirelessly around the clock to make itself a recognizable product — a collection of teams, coaches and players that is identifiable and popular — in a nation where basketball plays second fiddle to almost every other sport. And it deserves credit for elevating the profile of the sport in Japan.
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As the league wrapped up its third season on Sunday, and Osaka Evessa fulfilled their preseason vow to earn a three-peat, beating the Tokyo Apache 66-56 at Ariake Colosseum, the accomplishment was overshadowed by a glaring mistake: Lynn Washington was named the 2007-08 bj-league MVP.