Before the bj-league unveiled its current two-conference format, the Osaka Evessa were the league's first elite team.
The Evessa collected three consecutive titles, starting in the spring of 2006. And then they faced the second-year Ryukyu Golden Kings in the Western Conference final last May at Ariake Colosseum.
Ex-Evessa star Jeff Newton, who quickly became Ryukyu's franchise player, delivered the greatest clutch performance in league history in that game, scoring a then-league record 50 points in a thrilling comeback to carry the Golden Kings into the title game for the first time.