With identical 5-1 records, the upstart Akita Northern Happinets and expansion Chiba Jets square off four times over the next two weekends. It will be a strong early season test for both squads.
The Happinets have soared to the top of the 10-team Eastern Conference under 70-year-old coach Kazuo Nakamura's steady guidance. Point guard Michael Gardener and power forward/center Stanley Ocitti played under Nakamura when he led the Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix, so two core players have an understanding of his style of play.
Forward Kazuhiro Shoji, whom Nakamura said will be the key on-the-court leader for Akita this season, remains a formidable shooter, coming off a weekend in which the 37-year-old knocked down nine 3-pointers against the Sendai 89ers and took home the league's Player of the Week honors.