Brazil national team

[asdzas]

The President of the Brazilian Basketball Federation said that Nene Hilario and Leandrinho Barbosa will not be called for the Brazilian National Team for the London 2012 Olympics.

-El Vocero Hispano

I think that will change..today the players said they want Leandrinho Barbosa in the team..he will probably be called. Now Nene, thats another story...some players dont want him, some do...but Magnano loves Nene, as a player and no brazilian center has the quality of Nene..(he is an idiot for not playing, no doubt about that..I would think a lot before calling him)..

Brazilian Basketball Federation said the decision is on Magnano`s hands.

[Duncan]

I think Barbosa will be welcomed back, Nene I am not so sure. BUT, if nene talks to magnano and says he is willing to be a team player, accept his role, etc.. etc... I say maybe give him a chance.

Really comes down to what the coach thinks what will happen to the team chemistry.

Everyone deserves a chance if in the right spirit, even a douche like Nene

[GustavoGanso]

I think Barbosa will be welcomed back, Nene I am not so sure. BUT, if nene talks to magnano and says he is willing to be a team player, accept his role, etc.. etc... I say maybe give him a chance.

Really comes down to what the coach thinks what will happen to the team chemistry.

Everyone deserves a chance if in the right spirit, even a douche like Nene

ahhaha

agreed.

are u brazilian?

[Duncan]

nope, only in spirit. haha

I am Italian-American

Huge follower of Brasilian hoops since the early 80's being a huge fan of Oscar

[GustavoGanso]

nope, only in spirit. haha

I am Italian-American

Huge follower of Brasilian hoops since the early 80's being a huge fan of Oscar

nice

great to see people like u

keep posting here.. see ya!

[Duncan]

Think Machado can make the team next year? He will be 37 right? But, every team needs that 3 point shooter

[GustavoGanso]

Think Machado can make the team next year? He will be 37 right? But, every team needs that 3 point shooter

Yes, he can and he will... will be his last tournament with Brazil national team!

guys, check out my channel about brazilian basketball on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/g4dS

my new videos:




Hettsheimeir vs Luis Scola (good one )

[rikhardur]

BRA - Splitter grows in stature

SAN ANTONIO (Olympics/NBA) – Brazil’s men have not played at an Olympic Games for 16 years yet they have cause for a lot of optimism ahead of the London Games.

There is the steady hand at point guard of Marcelo Huertas, and the explosive scoring of Leandro Barbosa.

That’s right, Barbosa.

He may have made himself unavailable for the FIBA Americas Championship last summer but Barbosa is such an explosive scorer as he’s been showing with Toronto of late that it seems unimaginable coach Ruben Magnano will not select him.

The biggest cause for hope, though, both literally and figuratively, is Tiago Splitter, a player blossoming into a solid, top-flight center.

After being used sparingly as a rookie with San Antonio, Splitter has returned to the league following the NBA Lockout and given the Spurs a solid back-up to veteran Tim Duncan.

Sunday's effort against Phoenix was the latest evidence that Splitter, who turned 27 on January 1, has a solid future in the NBA.

He came off the bench and had nine points and five rebounds.

“Well, Splitter has played good for them in the past," Suns coach Alvin Gentry said.

"I have watched four or five of their games and actually what has happened is that when the second unit is in, the offense really goes through him.

"He’s played pro basketball half his life so it’s not anything unusual as he did a good job of creating post space and post moves with a couple of big plays."

Splitter spent his usual summer with Brazil and while the team didn’t win gold as they did at the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship, by reaching the Final in the same competition Mar del Plata this year, the national team was able to celebrate even more.

The Brazilians assured themselves of a spot in the Olympics.

They will end a 16-year drought at the opening tip of their first game in London.

In an Olympic year, it was crucial for Splitter to have a good club season so he faced a real dilemma when the lockout was still in place.

Should he try to wait it out and hope for a resolution like many of the players, or return to Europe and play games to not only have match fitness once the NBA season did get underway, but to continue his improvement.

He chose the latter, moving to Valencia Basket to compete in the Liga Endesa and the Eurocup.

Splitter immediately became La Taronja’s most important player, averaging 15.3 points and 9.3 rebounds in the Liga Endesa while in three Eurocup games, he averaged 14 points and 7.7 boards.

When he returned to San Antonio, Splitter was fit, and confident.

“He’s got some time under his belt now, so we’re expecting him to step up,” Duncan said.

“Now that you’ve seen him play a little bit, you understand what he can do.

“I’m excited to see him out on the floor helping us.”

Duncan was a player that Splitter looked up to when the Brazilian was just breaking into the professional game in Spain.

While Ricky Rubio has hit the ground running as a 21-year-old rookie with the Minnesota Timberwolves this season, many first-year players aren’t that lucky.

Splitter needed a year to become acclimatized to NBA life, and the game, while also dealing with some injuries.

He looks as happy as he’s ever been on the basketball court.

“I feel like at home here,” Splitter said.

“It’s different when you’re the new guy, and you have to learn everything. Now, you know almost everything.”

And while the NBA game does have some differences to what one finds in Spain and Europe, Splitter doesn't believe he needs to make that many adjustments.

“I think I can help the team in a lot of ways — passing from the post, playing in the post, drawing fouls,” he said.

“That’s what my game was in Europe.

“I think I can do the same here.”

And that, rest assured, is what he will also do at the Olympics.

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/new...0352/arti.html

[rikhardur]

BRA - Oscar gives thumbs-down to Barbosa, Nene

MADRID (Olympics) - Oscar Schmidt played for Brazil 326 times in his long and storied career.

He has certainly earned the right to voice his opinions when it comes to the national team.

The five-time Olympian who is in the FIBA Hall of Fame could straddle the fence and not risk upsetting his compatriots, but that's not his way.

In Madrid on Thursday night at a joint FIBA and FEB presentation ahead of the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain, Oscar didn't hold back.

FIBA: Leandro Barbosa and Nene didn't play last summer at the FIBA Americas Championship in Mar del Plata. Is it true that you believe they should be left out of the country's Olympic squad?

Oscar: Yes, I think morally, Nene and Leandrinho should not come. But rationally, with those two, we are stronger. So it's a very hard decision for (Coach Ruben) Magnano. He knows that. I think he'll make the right choice. The only thing is, we had a team that fought for the place and got the place and these players should go to the Olympics. But, this is Magnano's choice.

FIBA: A couple of players that were in Argentina and helped the team qualify, Tiago Splitter and Marcelo Huertas, have become the real lynchpins in the national side. Huertas is now at Barcelona, Splitter in San Antonio with the Spurs. What do you think about these players?

Oscar: They are my two favorite players. I love those two. Marcelo became the leader. We didn't have a leader for many years and Marcelo took that spot. Tiago is a great guy that any father wants as a son. Right now, he is playing with (San Antonio Spurs great) Tim Duncan and he can learn a lot and help the national team. I love these two players. And I love the way that Marcelinho Machado plays, so I hope that he can come to the Olympics. I'm very happy that Brazil is getting back to the first level of world basketball.

FIBA: The team has been very, very good the last couple of summers. Brazil almost upset the United States in Istanbul. Is this Brazil team one that can aim for the medals?

Oscar: Yes, we're going to be a serious medal contender. Everybody plays good basketball. In Brazil now, we are living a new time in basketball, with a new president who is doing a good job, taking care of the national team and has a phenomenal coach like Magnano leading the team. We have players in the NBA, players in Europe, and I think we can fight for a medal in the Olympics, and in the (2014) World Cup. Why not?

FIBA: You have played in a lot of big events for Brazil. How are these tournaments changing, particularly the FIBA Basketball World Cup?

Oscar: They have changed for the better. More money, more importance more good teams - everything is getting better.

FIBA: And Spain? What will the event be like?

Oscar: It's going to be nice, just as nice as in Turkey, as nice as in Japan. FIBA does a good job with these events and Spain has a passion for basketball so I think it's going to be a very, very beautiful World Cup.

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/new...0481/arti.html

[¹²³]

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/new...0481/arti.html

Nice interview. I like how Oscar puts the decision in Magnano's hands and says he will respect it.

[rikhardur]

BRA - Barbosa: "I hope to play in London but it's down to coach"

TORONTO (Olympics) - This summer, Brazil will end a 16-year absence from the Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament.

As they return to the event for the first time since 1996, the Brazilians will be expected to field the best team possible.

However, national icon Oscar Schmidt last week surprised many in saying he believed Leandro Barbosa and Nene - who both sat out last summer as Ruben Magnano's team qualified for London by finishing runners-up at the FIBA Americas Championship - should feel morally obliged to miss out on the Olympics given their absence at a crucial time.

Barbosa told FIBA he has no objection with Schmidt's point of view but that ultimately the decision lies with Magnano.

"I think he (Schmidt) is right. There were reasons for Nene and me not to be involved in the last tournament (2011 FIBA Americas Championship)," he said.

"But it depends on the coach. If the coach invites us to come and play, we're going to do our best to help the team.

"If he doesn't, we're going to be cheering for the team the same way. We just want Brazilian basketball to be successful. Whatever happens, I will be happy."

Despite not playing in Mar del Plata last summer, the magnitude of Brazil's achievement in making it back to the Olympics is not lost on the Toronto Raptors guard.

"It's very exciting. For a long time we've been trying to qualify and it never happened," Barbosa recalled.

The 29-year-old is especially proud of the fact that the accomplishment has been celebrated by not just the team, but by a whole country where a basketball frenzy is growing.

"I think it's something that happened for us and for the country that is brilliant. It's an exciting time right now," he enthused.

"We're living a dream right now. I think basketball is becoming so popular after we qualified for the Olympics. It's something strange for us but we're very happy about it. We just want to keep doing our job to be successful. We're very excited to go to the Olympics definitely."

Looking ahead to London, Barbosa believes Brazil have what it takes to turn heads.

"I think we have a good team. I think we have a good chance if we get all the pieces together. We can give a lot of trouble for many teams over there," he offered.

"I know it's not easy, it's very hard and tough probably more than most of the tournaments that we've been through. But nothing is impossible so I think it depends on us. We have to work really hard to be successful.

If Magnano does decide to include Barbosa on the team, the player will be ready to do anything that is asked of him.

"I don't think I will have a problem about that situation. I've been with those same players for many, many years, you know playing together. Coach knows what he has to do to fit me in that group and whatever role he gives to me I'll be very happy," he said.

Barbosa sees the London Games as a perfect platform for Brazil to continue building a strong basketball following leading up to 2016 when they will host the Olympics.

"If we come and use this big opportunity we have in London to do well, which we can, I think it will open up a lot of good chances for us in 2016," he explained.

Whether he is part of the trip to London or not, Barbosa will be keeping a close eye on this summer's international basketball and he expects some tough competition, starting with the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Venezuela.

"In Venezuela, there are going to be a lot of good teams going over there. I think if we didn't qualify the first time we would have had a tough time," he admitted.

"You see F.Y.R. of Macedonia and Lithuania. Those teams are really really tough to beat. We saw that at the (2010) World Championship with Lithuania. F.Y.R. of Macedonia wasn't there but watching them at the EuroBasket, it was incredible. I didn't know F.Y.R. of Macedonia had a good team like they do so it's going to be interesting. I'll be watching."

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/new...0552/arti.html

[CKR13]

NIKE will outfit the national team with the NIKE HyperFlight apparel and the NIKE HypderDunk 2012 shoes.

Similar to what Team USA will be sporting.

[rikhardur]

BRA - Raulzinho takes game to new level

SAN SEBASTIAN (Olympics) - Last year, Raulzinho looked across the Atlantic at Spain and wondered if one day, he might follow in the footsteps of so many of his compatriots and compete in the Liga Endesa.

There have been some good ones, including Marcelinho Huertas of Barcelona and former Baskonia star, Tiago Splitter.

Other Brazilians have found their homes in Spain, too, like CAI Zaragoza's 25-year-old center Rafael Hettsheimeir.

Anderson Varejao of the Cleveland Cavaliers played for Barcelona before he launched his NBA career several years ago.

Knowing all of this, it was a big deal for Raulzinho when Lagun Aro GBC offered him a chance last summer to join their team.

The son of a former Brazil international, Raul Togni Filho, Raulzinho says he realized a dream when he ran onto the court to play in Spain’s top flight for the first time.

The experience has helped his game, too.

"I'm improving," Raulzinho said to FIBA.com.

"Marcelinho Huertas told me I was going to improve and I have.

"I think it has been the best decision I've taken and I'm very happy.

"The ACB (Liga Endesa) is a much higher level than where I played in Brazil and I'm learning a lot."

Lagun Aro appear to have made a very wise decision when they pursued Raulzinho, who travelled as a teenager to Turkey with Brazil and played at the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

There have been stretches of games in Spain in which he has surprised opponents with his clever play on both sides of the court.

He has great court vision, passes well and also has the ability to put a lot of points on the board very quickly, as he did in a game against Blusens Monbus at the end of last month when he poured in 13 points in one nine-minute stretch.

There is no question that he has won the trust of Sito Alonso, who was Ricky Rubio's last coach at Joventut Badalona a few years ago before the Spanish international left for Barcelona.

Alonso has played the Brazilian an average of 18 minutes per game.

The move to the Liga Endesa has probably boosted Raulzinho’s chances of returning to the senior team in time for the London Games.

"There's still some time to go before the Olympics," he said.

"I think there's a chance and all the players want to be there.

"It's possible. Last year I was training with them but at the last minute, I was cut.

“I think there's a good chance I'll be there."

Instead of playing at the FIBA Americas Championship for the team that reached the Final, Raulzinho travelled to Riga, Latvia, and played for his country at the FIBA U19 World Championship.

He led the team in scoring at 14.5 points per contest, shooting 54.2% (32 of 59) from inside the arc and 24% (six of 25) beyond it.

The playmaker had a jaw-dropping performance against Russia when he poured in 20 points and drilled three of his five attempts from long range, and he was rock solid in a clash with rivals Argentina with 11 points, eight assists, eight rebounds and two steals.

Raulzinho averaged a team-high 4.1 assists in Riga.

Changes off the court

Now that he is in Spain, Raulzinho doesn't just have to adjust to a different game, but life off the court.

The bond among the Brazilians in the Liga Endesa helps him feel right at home.

He talks often with his compatriots, even though they play for different clubs.

"I speak to Marcelinho, Rafa Freire of Alicante and Rafael Hettsheimer," Raulzinho said.

"We speak often because we have trained together."

By choosing to play in San Sebastian, he moved to one of the most beautiful cities in Spain but there has been an adjustment in terms of the weather.

"It's quite cold in San Sebastian in comparison to Brazil but I'm very happy," he said.

Brazil’s prospects

Raulzinho remembers the Abdi Ipekci on the 30th of August, 2010.

That was the day when Brazil played Team USA in a memorable group clash that the north Americans won, 70-68.

Whether he makes the trip to London or not for the Olympics, he thinks the Brazilians will be a team to look out.

"I think Brazil has the potential to be at the top," he said.

"In Turkey in 2010, we played against the United States and we played well, we almost won.

"I think Brazil has the chance to do well at the Olympics."

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/new...0742/arti.html

[CKR13]

BRA - Magnano scouts players in domestic league

[rikhardur]

BRA- Splitter is center of attention

NEW YORK (NBA/Olympics) - After 16 years without playing in the Olympics, Brazil's national team will be back this summer at the London Games.

Coached by Ruben Magnano, who led Argentina to the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, the runners-up of last year’s FIBA Americas Championship have been greatly improving in recent years.

Thanks to players such as San Antonio Spurs center Tiago Splitter, Washington Wizard’s center Nene Hilario, Cleveland Cavaliers’ power forward Anderson Varejao but also Indiana Pacers guard Leandro Barbosa and FC Barcelona’s point guard Marcelo Huertas, the Brazilian national team could be a tough opponent in London.

The real revelation since the start of the current NBA season has been 27- year-old Joinville native Splitter.

As a back-up to former USA player Tim Duncan, he is having a solid season, averaging 9.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game since December.

“I’m really happy about the work I’ve being doing here since the beginning of the season,” Splitter told fiba.com.

“I feel really comfortable on this team and I think I’ve been proving for the last few months that I can play at the highest level.”

Through the years, the Spurs have been known as a team that gives great opportunities to international players.

Following on from France international and former NBA Finals MVP Tony Parker and Argentinian maestro Manu Ginobili, Splitter is proof yet again of the competence of San Antonio’s international scouting department.

But it took some time for the Brazilian sensation to cross the Atlantic and play in the most competitive league in the world. Drafted in 2007 (28th pick overall), he waited until 2010 to leave Saski Baskonia of Spain’s Liga Endesa.

“I waited for the right time to move to San Antonio”, Splitter said. “I was only 22 years old when I was drafted, and I thought that I was probably too young to go to the NBA”.

After struggling at times in his rookie season, Splitter has shown this year that he can be one of the NBA’s leading big men very soon.

“It took me almost a year to adapt myself to the team,” he conceded.

“Also, a lot of players were playing at the same position as mine and I had to learn how to play with all of my team-mates.”

But before becoming the back-up centre of the four-time NBA champions Spurs, Splitter spent last summer with the Brazilian national team trying to help them defend their 2009 FIBA Americas champion title.

Even though they lost their title to their biggest continental rivals, Argentina, in Mar del Plata, the Brazilians guaranteed themselves a place in London.

“Going to the Olympics is a dream come true,” he said.

“I’ve been dreaming of playing in them since I was a young kid.

“Now, I’m excited to see what we can do in London and I’m sure that we are all going to do our best to represent Brazil”.

A few weeks after helping his national team clinch an Olympic spot, he decided to go back to Europe as the NBA Lock Out was still in place.

He was signed by Valencia Basket of the Liga Endesa in November.

During his short spell in Spain, he had a huge impact, averaging 15.4 points and 9.3 rebounds per game in the Liga Endesa.

“This spell with Valencia helped me a lot.” he said.

After a very useful time playing in Spain, Splitter returned to San Antonio in great shape and ready for the new season.

“Tiago is now a very important player on the team, “ is what Tony Parker had to say about him.

“He is the perfect back up for Tim Duncan.

“Having players like him is very good for us. He’s part of the future of the Spurs”.

As San Antonio Spurs franchise player Tim Duncan is getting older, Splitter is considered by many as the substitute of the 36 year old Center.

“He has still some work to do to be a complete player, but I’m quite sure he’ll be one of the most important players on the Spurs very soon,” admitted San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich.

“He’s talented and wants to learn everyday.

“He’s having more minutes this season because he’s been working well.”

Playing for one of the contenders for the title, Splitter is a happy man.

“I’m very happy to be part of this team,” he said.

“But I have to stay focused on my game and work hard to help the team win the title again”.

After a successful career in Spain where he won almost every title, the Brazilian wants to keep winning awards, now that he is on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.

“We have one of the best teams in the league. The goal is to win the ring at the end of the season.”

“It would be amazing to win the NBA title before going to the Olympics. I would realize two of my biggest dreams in the same year.”

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/new...0970/arti.html

[CKR13]

I feel sorry for Fab Melo not playing in the NCAA 2012 Tournament. I hope he gets a consideration even for just the pool.

[CKR13]

Cleveland Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao is fully committed to play in the London Olympics.

Varejao Intends to Join Brazil in Olympics

[CKR13]

Varejao Plans to Play in London

[rikhardur]

BRA - Magnano wants so much more

RIO DE JANEIRO (Olympics) - Ruben Magnano is part coach, part philosopher.

Brazil may not have known it when they put him charge of their national team, when they were looking for a man to get them back to their first Olympics since 1996, but they know now.

He doesn't give short answers, but long ones.

Magnano, who led Argentina to gold at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, fulfilled the aim of getting Brazil to the London Games.

He acts like the job isn't finished, though.

"You have to understand that a coach always wants a little more," he said.

"So I think we can give even more.

"I do not know the final outcome, because it's sport.

"But I have an obligation to produce results.

"Fortunately, what happened to Brazilian basketball is something very important, which was the recovery of the Olympic Games.

"I think this should lead to a further drive for better basketball, to reap more fruit."

Magnano won't be pressured into making decisions about squad selection, either.

Leandro Barbosa and Nene, a couple of Brazilians playing in the NBA, have been called "deserters" for not making themselves available for last summer's FIBA Americas Championship, where Brazil had to reach the Final to qualify for the London Games.

The opinion has been expressed by many in the country, including by the legendary Oscar, that neither Barbosa nor Nene should go to the Olympics.

"One cannot speak of righteousness, romanticism, sentimentality," Magnano said.

"We must be practical and objective. Knowing how to react."

That doesn't mean that Barbosa and Nene are going to London.

For that matter, no player should believe his place in the Olympic team is secure.

"I have the doors open to all who have a Brazilian passport," Magnano said.

"All have the ability to play. I'll make my personal assessment. I do this every day, I see the games."

Magnano says he is taking a long, considered approach when it comes to naming his squad.

"I evaluate everything," he said.

"The technical, physical, tactical and commitment of each player.

"The decision will be, in my judgment, the best for the Brazilian basketball. Once taken it's over."

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/new...1081/arti.html

[rikhardur]

Armador – Elinho – Paulistano/Unimed
Armador – Rafael Luz – Lucentum Alicante (ESP)
Armador – Scott Machado – Iona (EUA)
Armador – Nezinho – Uniceub/BRb/Brasília
Ala/armador – Gui Deodato – Itabom/Bauru
Ala/armador – Jefferson Soccas – Real Madrid (ESP)
Ala/armador – Betinho – Paulistano/Unimed
Ala/armador – Luiz Felipe – Cia. Do Terno/Romaço/Joinville
Ala/armador – Vitor Benite – Winner/Limeira
Ala – Alex Oliveira – Paulistano/Unimed
Ala – Arthur Belchior – Uniceub/BRB/Brasília
Ala – Marcus Vinicius Toledo – Ford Burgos (ESP)
Ala – Luiz Gruber – Unitri/Universo
Ala/Pivô – Augusto Lima – Unicaja (ESP)
Ala/Pivô – Cristiano Felicio – Minas Tênis Clube
Ala/Pivô – Murilo Becker – São José/Unimed/Vinac
Ala/Pivô – Rafael Mineiro – Pinheiros/SKY
Pivô – Fab Melo – Syracuse University (EUA)
Pivô – J.P. Batista – Le Mans (FRA)
Pivô – Lucas Bebê – Estudiantes (ESP)
Pivô – Paulão Prestes – Pieno Zvaigzdes (LIT)

http://lnb.com.br/noticias/primeira-lista-da-selecao/