The retooled Ryukyu Golden Kings have reshaped their team with a savvy formula that combines speed, finesse and power and the vital contributions of newcomers.
Sharpshooter Takatoshi Furukawa, for instance, starred for the title-winning Tochigi Brex last season, and was the high scorer (15 points) for the Kings in Sunday's 74-55 shellacking of the host Yokohama B-Corsairs. Ira Brown, who notched a double-double (14 points, 10 boards), was a key player for the Sunrockers Shibuya in the 2016-17 campaign.
And rookie power forward Hassan Martin, who wrapped up his banner collegiate career at the University of Rhode Island last spring by helping the Rams advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since Lamar Odom starred for the school in 1999, finished with 12 points, nine rebounds, two steals and a block in nearly 27 minutes.