Game Notes: Group B – Ryukyu Golden Kings (2-3) vs. New Taipei Kings (4-0)

January 23, 2024

5 mins

Game Notes: Group B – Ryukyu Golden Kings (2-3) vs. New Taipei Kings (4-0)

Written by EASL

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Ryukyu needs to win to keep Final Four hopes alive

January 24, 2024 – Okinawa Arena, Okinawa, Japan

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Storylines‍

Golden Kings: down, not out

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‍The Ryukyu Golden Kings’ hopes of making it to the Final Four took a massive hit after going down to the EASL underdog, Meralco Bolts, in Studio City Macau in December.

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Less than a month later, Ryukyu fell in New Taipei City, dropping their record to 2-3.

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Ryukyu now needs to rely on second-place Seoul SK Knights to drop both their games for any chance of advancing to the next round.

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In a scenario where that happens, the B.LEAGUE champions can advance if they defeat the Kings on Wednesday.

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If the Golden Kings lose to New Taipei, they can still move on if SK loses both games and can obtain a larger points difference than both the Bolts and the Knights.

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This is as close to a must-win game for Ryukyu as they come.

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New Taipei can win Group B

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‍The New Taipei Kings have already clinched a spot in the Final Four with a clean 4-0 record.

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One more win will allow the Kings to win Group B.

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The Kings have been getting back on the right track with four straight wins in EASL and P. LEAGUE+ combined, after losing five of the previous seven games.

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The team’s recent run vaulted them back atop of the P. LEAGUE+ standings.

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Will New Taipei City be crowned the Kings of Group B on Wednesday?

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Tamayo leaves Golden Kings

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‍Gilas Pilipinas big man Carl Tamayo bid farewell to Ryukyu Golden Kings last week.

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The 6-foot-8 power forward played four of the team’s five EASL games this season, averaging 8.8 points and 4.8 rebounds.

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Tamayo hopes to “explore new horizons, to showcase his skills, and make a more significant contribution to another team,” his management, Virtual Playground, said in a statement.

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"Though my time with the team may be ending, your support will forever be etched in my heart. Thank you for making my time with the Ryukyu Golden Kings truly unforgettable,” Tamayo added.

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‍By the Numbers‍

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Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE)

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- Team History:

Founded: 2007
2022-23 B.LEAGUE Champions
2018 EASL Super 8 Champions
4x Japan bj league Champions (2009, 2012, 2014, 2016)

- 2023 B.LEAGUE Champions

Regular season record: 48-12
B.LEAGUE West District Champions
Playoffs: defeated Nagoya Diamond Dolphins 2-0 in quarterfinals; defeated Yokohama B-Corsairs 2-0 in semifinals; defeated Chiba Jets 2-0 in B.LEAGUE Finals

- EASL 2023-24 Season record: 2-3

October 18, 2023: 80-79 win over Seoul SK Knights (KBL)
November 1, 2023: 82-69 loss against Seoul SK Knights (KBL)
November 15, 2023: 89-61 win over Meralco Bolts (PBA)
December 13, 2023: 97-88 loss against Meralco Bolts (PBA)
January 10, 2024: 67-63 loss against New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Vic Law – 20.5 ppg
Rebounds: Vic Law – 11.0 rpg
Assists: Allen Durham – 6.5 apg
Steals: Jack Cooley – 1.3 spg
Blocks: Hugh Watanabe & Allen Durham – 1.0 bpg

- EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

Home vs. New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+) – January 24, 2024

- EASL History:

2023 EASL Champions Week: Ryukyu Golden Kings went 2-1, defeating PBA side San Miguel Beermen 96-68 and P. LEAGUE+ side Taipei Fubon Braves 83-78 in the Group Stage. They lost to Bay Area Dragons 90-70 in the Third Place Game.
2019 Terrific 12 (an EASL competition): Ryukyu Golden Kings went 0-2, falling to CBA side Shenzhen Aviators and PBA side San Miguel Beermen.
2018 Terrific 12 (EASL competition): Ryukyu Golden Kings went 4-0, defeating the PBA D League All Stars and CBA side Xinjiang Flying Tigers in the Group Stage. They defeated B.LEAGUE side Nagoya Diamond Dolphins in the semifinals before defeating CBA side Guangzhou Loong Lions in the Finals to win the tournament.
2017 Super 8 (EASL competition): Ryukyu Golden Kings went 3-2, defeating KBL side Goyang Orions, SBL (Super Basketball League – Chinese Taipei) side Taoyuan Pauian Archiland and CBA side Shenzhen Leopards in the Group Stage. They lost to CBA side Zhejiang Lions in the semifinals before losing to Goyang Orions in the Third Place Game.

- B.LEAGUE 2023-24 Season record: 21-10

October 5, 2023: 80-63 win over Saga Ballooners
October 7, 2023: 80-79 win over Saga Ballooners
October 14, 2023: 93-86 win over Sun Rockers Shibuya
October 15, 2023: 84-82 win over Sun Rockers Shibuya
October 21, 2023: 89-66 loss against Yokohama B-Corsairs
October 22, 2023: 88-70 win over Yokohama B-Corsairs
October 25, 2023: 87-66 loss against Kawasaki Brave Thunders
October 28, 2023: 84-65 win over Toyama Grouses
October 29, 2023: 85-59 win over Toyama Grouses
November 4, 2023: 81-76 loss against Osaka Evessa
November 5, 2023: 94-76 win over Osaka Evessa
November 8, 2023: 87-71 win over Kyoto Hannaryz
November 11, 2023: 80-77 win over Shimane Susanoo Magic
November 12, 2023: 91-84 win over Shimane Susanoo Magic
December 2, 2023: 93-73 loss against SeaHorses Mikawa
December 3, 2023: 84-82 win over SeaHorses Mikawa
December 6, 2023: 76-73 win over Osaka Evessa
December 9, 2023: 83-81 win over Shinshu Brave Warriors
December 10, 2023: 83-79 win over Shinshu Brave Warriors
December 16, 2023: 80-73 win over Hiroshima Dragonflies
December 17, 2023: 76-71 win over Hiroshima Dragonflies
December 20, 2023: 76-74 loss against Nagasaki Velca
December 23, 2023: 80-71 loss against Gunma Crane Thunders
December 24, 2023: 81-72 win over Gunma Crane Thunders
December 31, 2023: 84-69 win over Sendai 89ers
January 1, 2024: 83-81 loss against Sendai 89ers
January 6, 2024: 68-57 loss against Fighting Eagles Nagoya
January 7, 2024: 88-65 win over Fighting Eagles Nagoya
January 17, 2024: 77-75 loss against Nagoya Diamond Dolphins
January 20, 2024: 68-66 win over Utsunomiya Brex
January 21, 2024: 74-68 loss against Utsunomiya Brex

- B.LEAGUE 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Jack Cooley – 15.6 ppg
Rebounds: Jack Cooley – 12.5 rpg
Assists: Allen Durham – 4.0 apg
Steals: Keita Imamura & Jack Cooley– 1.0 spg
Blocks: Alex Kirk – 0.9 bpg

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‍‍New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+)

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- Team History:

Founded: 2021
Honors: 2022-23 P. LEAGUE+ runners-up

- 2022-23 P. LEAGUE+ Runners-Up

Regular season record: 27-13
P. LEAGUE+ Regular Season Champions
Playoffs: defeated Dreamers 3-1 in semifinals; lost to Taipei Fubon Braves 4-2 in P. LEAGUE+ Finals

- EASL 2023-24 Season record: 4-0

November 8, 2023: 90-72 win over Seoul SK Knights (KBL)
November 27, 2023: 97-92 win over Meralco Bolts (PBA)
January 3, 2024: 89-77 win over Meralco Bolts (PBA)
January 10, 2024: 67-63 win over Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Jeremy Lin – 18.8 ppg
Rebounds: Kenny Manigault – 11.0 rpg
Assists: Jeremy Lin – 6.5 apg
Steals: Kenny Manigault – 3.3 spg
Blocks: Christian Anigwe – 1.8 bpg

- EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

Away vs. Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE) – January 24, 2024
Away vs. Seoul SK Knights (KBL) – January 31, 2024

- 2023-24 P. LEAGUE+ Season record: 11-5

November 11, 2023: 96-89 win over Taipei Fubon Braves
November 18, 2023: 111-87 win over Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers
November 19, 2023: 123-113 win over Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
November 25, 2023: 98-92 win over Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
November 26, 2023: 109-93 win over Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers
December 3, 2023: 92-81 win over Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers
December 9, 2023: 107-86 win over Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
December 17, 2023: 100-90 loss against Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
December 23, 2023: 111-106 win over Taipei Fubon Braves
December 24, 2023: 120-104 loss against Formosa Dreamers
December 30, 2023: 105-98 loss against Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers
December 31, 2023: 104-96 loss against Taipei Fubon Braves
January 6, 2024: 93-76 loss against Formosa Dreamers
January 12, 2024: 95-80 win over Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers
January 20, 2024: 114-82 win over Formosa Dreamers
January 21, 2024: 110-97 win over Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers

- P. LEAGUE+ 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Jeremy Lin – 23.4 ppg
Rebounds: Byron Mullens – 12.0 rpg
Assists: Jeremy Lin – 5.9 apg
Steals: Kenny Manigault – 3.4 spg
Blocks: Byron Mullens – 1.4 bpg

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‍Players to Watch

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Ryukyu Golden Kings:

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‍#30 Keita Imamura – SG

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- Japan: B.LEAGUE – Ryukyu Golden Kings

2023 B.LEAGUE Champions

- Japanese National Basketball Team (2018 Asian Games)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

16.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.8 apg

- 2023-24 B.LEAGUE season:

14.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.1 apg

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#45 Jack Cooley – C

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- USA NCAA Division I: Notre Dame (2009-2013)

2013 First-team All-Big East
2012 Second-team All-Big East
2012 Big East Most Improved Player

- Former NBA player (Utah Jazz, Sacramento Kings)

- Former NBA G League player (Idaho Stampede, Reno Bighorns)

- Italy: LBA – Dinamo Sassari

2019 FIBA Europe Cup champion

- Japan: B.LEAGUE – Ryukyu Golden Kings

2023 B.LEAGUE Champions

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

10.7 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 3.0 apg

- 2023-24 B.LEAGUE season:

15.6 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 1.1 apg

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#4 Vic Law – SF

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- USA NCAA Division I: Northwestern (2014-19)

2017 Big Ten All-Defensive Team

- Former NBA player (Orlando Magic)

- Former NBA G LEAGUE player (Lakeland Magic)

2020 All-NBA G League Third Team

- Australia: NBL – Perth Wildcats

2022 All-NBL First Team

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

20.5 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 6.0 apg

- 2023-24 B.LEAGUE season:

14.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.6 apg

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‍‍New Taipei Kings

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‍#7 Jeremy Lin – PG

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- USA NCAA Division I: Harvard (2006-2010)

2× First-team All-Ivy League (2009, 2010)
2008 Second-team All-Ivy League

- Former NBA player (Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors)

NBA Career Stats: 480 games – 11.6 ppg, 4.3 apg, 2.8 rpg, 1.1 spg
NBA: 2019 NBA Champion (Toronto Raptors)
2012 NBA TV Social Breakout Player of the Year

- Former NBA G League player (Reno Bighorns, Erie Bayhawks, Santa Cruz Warriors)

- China: CBA – Beijing Ducks