I went to see a professional basketball game (photos to come) on Saturday and it was a great game. It was a game between Osaka Evessa and Niigata Albirex.
At one point Evessa were trailing by 15 points and the game looked over, but a late second half drive and a enthusaistic home crowd ensured overtime, and then… double overtime! Evessa eventually won by 85 to 84.
It was a pretty good first experience of pro-basketball here in Japan. And I look forward to seeing a few more games.
Osaka Evessa are the inaugural champions of the BJ league and are topping the table at the moment. Their website is unfortunately only in Japanese (http://www.evessa.com). They play their home games at a number of venues in Osaka, the main one being the Osaka Central Municipal Gymnasium. To get to the Central Municipal Gym, take the subway Chuo line (Dark Green) to the Asashiobashi station(C12). Then follow the signs, it is a 5 minute walk from the station.
14 responses so far ↓
1 Nick // Apr 14, 2007 at 5:54 am
Check up the upcoming star by the name of Matt Lottich. He was guard of the year last season and a good pal of mine. He’ll win the crowd that’s for sure!
2 Ian Cheung // Apr 23, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Yeah, saw him in action and he was impressive. I think I have a shot of him mid-jump shot. That reminds me I need to post the photos I took.
3 Living in Osaka: As promised Osaka Evessa photos // Jul 11, 2007 at 5:29 pm
[...] photos I took in February of the Osaka Evessa versus Niigata Albirex game. Including a couple with Matt Lottich. Hope you enjoy [...]
4 Jeff // Aug 7, 2007 at 6:12 am
Took awhile to track down where Lottich is playing these days. He was sure fun to watch at NT.
5 wolfy // Aug 8, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Lottich has no contract for 2007-08 at this moment.
I believe he is talking with Osaka Evessa.
Two pre-season home games in September. 07-08 season home games will be held from Nov. 10. So all you guys to check the schedule.
6 wolfy // Aug 31, 2007 at 9:50 pm
Today, Lotiich have a contract with Evessa. But Palmer is out for challenge to NBA (it seems to be).
Here’s Osaka Evessa’s game schedule for 2007-2008.
http://evess.net/?p=16
7 Ian Cheung // Sep 9, 2007 at 10:31 am
Thanks for the updates and the schedule. Mind if I add your site to the sidebar?
The whole family is looking forward to the new season!
8 wolfy // Sep 9, 2007 at 11:31 am
okay, it’s my pleasure.
9 MTrevians // Oct 19, 2007 at 7:06 pm
I’m the NT broadcaster, and I have all of Matt Lotiich’s high school cable broadcasts (football, basketball, and baseball). In addition I have a couple of interviews with him from both high school and college days he did for me. He recently married and his father-in-law is the head football coach at Drake University. You want to know about him and his growing up days, I’m your guy. The Chicago Magazine and San Francisco Chronicle articles, I was quoted–Matt calls me his “press agent.” I’ve known him since he was in 7th grade.
10 Derrick // Dec 1, 2007 at 11:53 am
anyone know where to find a game schedule online for pro Japanese Basketball games in the Kanto area? I can’t find anything
11 wolfy // Dec 27, 2007 at 7:21 am
Derrick,
No, I can’t find any. So here is the schedule.
Tip off times are – 18:00 Saturdays, 14:00 Sundays.
@Tokorozawa Civic (Shin-Tokorozawa)
Jan 12/13 Niigata@Saitama
Jan 19/20 Oita@Saitama
Feb 2/ 3 Okinawa-Ryukyu@Saitama
Feb 16/ 17 Sendai@Saitama
Mar 8/9 Osaka@Saitama
Apr 12/13 Toyama@Saitama
@Saitama City Memorial Gym.
Mar 1/2 Takamatsu@Saitama
@Gyoda Green Arena
Mar 29 Tokyo@Saitama
@Chichibu City Culture Athletic Ctr.
Mar 30 Tokyo@Saitama
@Ariake Collisium
Jan 26/27 Fukuoka@Tokyo
Feb 2/ 3 Toyama@Tokyo
Feb 23/ 24 Takamatsu@Tokyo
Mar 8/9 Okinawa-Ryukyu@Tokyo
Mar 22/23 Niigata@Tokyo
Apr 12/13 Oita@Tokyo
12 Nick // Aug 10, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Do you happen to know where your average person can play basketball in Osaka?? Ive tried and tried looking, and asking people, but no one seems to know!!! Please Help!!!!
Thanks
13 wolfy // Sep 24, 2008 at 4:55 am
Nick,
I consider that’s so hard to find. So, there’s a place to be able to play even if you went there with nobody.
http://www.nks-405.co.jp/guide.html (Japanese)
http://www.excite.co.jp/world/english/web/?wb_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nks%2D405.co.jp%2Fguide.html&wb_lp=JAEN&wb_dis=2” target=”_blank
(Machine translation)
14 Andy // Jan 3, 2009 at 1:18 pm
There’s a team of mostly foreigners that play in Kansai:
osakabball@gmail.com
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