Japan B-League, the new basketball mecca?...

IN recent years basketball experts had notice, the Japan B-League is emerging as the hot spots for Asian and other foreign players alike as their new destination seeking for a better pay and better quality of life, and most probably, higher and tougher level of competition?..

The success of Japan's own "play for pay" league can be attributed in the last FIBA World Cup held in Manila, as they wound up as the best Asian finisher, landing in 13th position, following their couple of victories in the classification round. The Japanese, who led by New Jersey Nets player, Yuta Watanabe and flashy point Yuki Kawamura, posted an 86-77 over Venezuela and 80-71 against Cape Verde (formerly Ivory Coast).

Japan's pair of victories earned the Japanese an outright berth in the coming Paris Olympics starting from July 26 to August 11.

Gilas-Pilipinas finished at 23 spot, following its lone victory in the tournament against Arch-rival China, 96-75, with Utah Jazz player and naturalized Jordan Clarkson fire six three-point shots in the last two quarters.

And I would say, Japan's professional league's success, in as far developing basketball to higher level is truly a remarkable. And to think, basketball is not the one number sport in the "Lad of the Rising Sun" it is baseball, which its baseball league also attracts even of some of the best players from the US Major League.

One of the main reason that Japan B-League is its salary cap policy, which attracted or magnetizes the best and promising players from the Philippines (PBA, UAAP, NCAA),Australia (NBL), Europeans (Euro-League), China (CBA) and even ex-NBA players, who sees B-League a better opportunity for their career.

With the league's resounding success, organizers are not just sit on their Laurel, as a matter of fact. After the league ended its last season, as league organizers will start a series of innovations to bring the level of competition to the next level. Starting of with salary cap, Import restriction and Asian and foreign players' draft.

First innovation, is money, wherein the salary cap for all foreign players, will raise to 800 million Yen, equivalent almost to P300 million, more or less $6 million dollars. doubling the amount offer by the Australian NBL, which only $2 million. So offers a bigger opportunity of pay, which can attract more foreign players not only in Asia, but as well as in the Australia's NBL. NBA G-League players and not to mention from the PBA.

Second innovation, is the waiving of the restriction of "Players on the Court", wherein all two or three foreign players and one Asian import and a local players, can now field in all together in one team, thus making the level competitiveness even higher than the previous.

Third innovation in their list, starting next season, the league will start initiating Japan B-League draft, wherein players high school graduates or collegiate players wither from Japan and from other countries like the UAAP or NCAA, Australia, US NCAA and others youngsters from other parts of the world. And professional players playing not more than two years in their respective league, like PBA, MPBL (Mahalika Pilipinas Basketball League), Indonesian Basketball (IBL), Taiwan League, KBL (Korean Basketball League). And among other pro-league.

And those players coming from the other pro-league will be a special contract, they call it "Star Player claws" with 150 Million Yen ($1 million dollar a year), almost P56 million.

Hmmmm...... very enticing..... well, what do you think Don Simon?....