Neither team has a shot at making the playoffs. Neither team will finish anywhere near .500. But both teams personify the spirited competitor who happens to be their head coach, former players Ryan Blackwell of the Gunma Crane Thunders and Tracy Williams of the Saitama Broncos.
On Sunday, Williams, born 12 years before his coaching counterpart, had his team in sync for longer stretches than his opponent.
The Broncos (13-33) also had a human highlight reel named John "Helicopter" Humphrey in the lineup. That was worth 34 points, 19 rebounds, two assists, a block, nonstop hustle and a competitive drive that ignited his team to a 103-91 victory to complete a series sweep in this sleepy town, which according to Wikipedia had a population of around 53,000 in 2006.
Perhaps it was only fitting that Saitama scored 35 points — Humphrey's longtime jersey number — in the decisive fourth quarter.
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