Flamengo relies on defense to beat Brasília
Rubro-negro goes to the federal capital in search of the second victory in the NBB playoffs
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
If we ask every hundred Flamengo fans what the current Flamengo basketball team's strong point is, the overwhelming majority will certainly say it's the offense, led by Marcelinho's sharpshooting. This is certainly true. After all, the offensive prowess of the team led by coach Paulo Chupeta was the best in the competition in the preliminary round. However, what many fans don't know is that Flamengo also conceded the fewest points in the first 26 games of the competition. And more than ever, defense will be crucial for the reigning two-time Brazilian champions to win the second game of the best-of-five series in the Novo Basquete Brasil final against Universo/Brasília, this Friday at 21 p.m. at Ginásio Nilson Nelson, and reverse the home court advantage in their favor. The match will be broadcast live on Sportv.
At Flamengo since 2004, assistant coach João Batista has the arduous task of devising and developing the team's defensive strategies. To successfully breach opposing defenses, the former Vasco, Ulbra, Corinthians-Pitt, and Brazilian national team player spends hours watching videos and tapes of his opponents' games to devise the appropriate strategy for each match.
"Since my playing days, I've always dedicated myself to the defensive side. And this has only become even more solid at Flamengo with the partnership I formed with Chupeta. From the moment I became responsible for this area, I intensified my studies and specialized. I watch practically every game, and when I can't, I record to analyze all the European athletes and teams in order to adapt what I see to the Brazilian reality," explained João Batista, adding that he usually passes everything he sees to Chupeta.
"The partnership with João is very important. There's a lot of information to analyze, and with him on the defensive side, I have more freedom to focus on other things. It's a partnership that has worked out really well, and his presence has undoubtedly been crucial to Flamengo's success over the last four years," said Chupeta.
"We talk a lot and together we develop strategies and, depending on the opponents, we figure out the best way to play against a certain team," João added, explaining that over the last three days he has intensified his zonal marking training.
"In the first match, we had an excellent first half when Brasília used man-to-man marking. We dropped off when they switched to zonal marking. So, in recent training sessions, we've intensified this type of work, and regardless of the marking, I believe we'll be better adapted," he concluded.
A standout in the first game with 27 points and six assists, Hélio acknowledges his outstanding performance. However, the point guard prefers to highlight the team's collective play and strong marking throughout the 40 minutes as the determining factors in the red-and-black team's victory in the Novo Basquete Brasil final.
"I often say that offense wins games, defense wins championships. João is a basketball scholar, and he certainly plays a key role in our titles. We won the first game at home because we played an aggressive defense for the entire 40 minutes and took Brasília's key players out of their comfortable positions on the court. This is thanks to João's work, who, before each game, shows us the movements of all our opponents' plays," explained the red-and-black point guard.
One of the most consistent players on coach Paulo Chupeta's team during the playoffs, Hélio acknowledges that Brasília hosting three home games is indeed an advantage, but he assures that this doesn't diminish Flamengo's optimism. On the contrary, it only increases the team's focus on achieving another positive result. A result that would leave Flamengo one win away from a third consecutive championship. But Hélio prefers to take things one game at a time.
"We've been hearing a lot of people say that we need at least one win in Brasília to have the advantage of deciding at home. Of course, that would be great considering the quality of the opposing team. But Flamengo always goes into every match thinking about winning, and it won't be any different in these two away games. However, we have to think about Friday's game first. That's the most important thing right now," said Gávea's number 5.
A native of Rio de Janeiro, Hélio played for Botafogo in 2002 and Uberlândia before arriving at Gávea. But it was at Londrina that the point guard excelled, becoming a starter for the team led by coach Paulo Chupeta. According to the player, beyond the technical aspect, the commitment and friendship of this group have made the difference in all competitions.
"I've never had relationship problems with any of the teams I've played for, but I recognize that this group is unique and different. There's no vanity or division here. We're friends on and off the court, and we're always together. In good times and in difficult times. During games, we look the other way and know we can count on any teammate. We have a deep commitment to this team and to Flamengo, regardless of the problems that arise off the court. Every team is like a marriage, with arguments, fights, and problems. But when they do happen, we sit down and resolve them right there and then. As Marcelinho likes to say, no one here goes to bed sad. Joy is the keynote of our team," revealed Hélio.
Sale of official products
At the red-black entrance, gate 5 of the Nilson Nelson Gymnasium, fans will be able to purchase official club products at a kiosk.
At Flamengo since 2004, assistant coach João Batista has the arduous task of devising and developing the team's defensive strategies. To successfully breach opposing defenses, the former Vasco, Ulbra, Corinthians-Pitt, and Brazilian national team player spends hours watching videos and tapes of his opponents' games to devise the appropriate strategy for each match.
"Since my playing days, I've always dedicated myself to the defensive side. And this has only become even more solid at Flamengo with the partnership I formed with Chupeta. From the moment I became responsible for this area, I intensified my studies and specialized. I watch practically every game, and when I can't, I record to analyze all the European athletes and teams in order to adapt what I see to the Brazilian reality," explained João Batista, adding that he usually passes everything he sees to Chupeta.
"The partnership with João is very important. There's a lot of information to analyze, and with him on the defensive side, I have more freedom to focus on other things. It's a partnership that has worked out really well, and his presence has undoubtedly been crucial to Flamengo's success over the last four years," said Chupeta.
"We talk a lot and together we develop strategies and, depending on the opponents, we figure out the best way to play against a certain team," João added, explaining that over the last three days he has intensified his zonal marking training.
"In the first match, we had an excellent first half when Brasília used man-to-man marking. We dropped off when they switched to zonal marking. So, in recent training sessions, we've intensified this type of work, and regardless of the marking, I believe we'll be better adapted," he concluded.
A standout in the first game with 27 points and six assists, Hélio acknowledges his outstanding performance. However, the point guard prefers to highlight the team's collective play and strong marking throughout the 40 minutes as the determining factors in the red-and-black team's victory in the Novo Basquete Brasil final.
"I often say that offense wins games, defense wins championships. João is a basketball scholar, and he certainly plays a key role in our titles. We won the first game at home because we played an aggressive defense for the entire 40 minutes and took Brasília's key players out of their comfortable positions on the court. This is thanks to João's work, who, before each game, shows us the movements of all our opponents' plays," explained the red-and-black point guard.
One of the most consistent players on coach Paulo Chupeta's team during the playoffs, Hélio acknowledges that Brasília hosting three home games is indeed an advantage, but he assures that this doesn't diminish Flamengo's optimism. On the contrary, it only increases the team's focus on achieving another positive result. A result that would leave Flamengo one win away from a third consecutive championship. But Hélio prefers to take things one game at a time.
"We've been hearing a lot of people say that we need at least one win in Brasília to have the advantage of deciding at home. Of course, that would be great considering the quality of the opposing team. But Flamengo always goes into every match thinking about winning, and it won't be any different in these two away games. However, we have to think about Friday's game first. That's the most important thing right now," said Gávea's number 5.
A native of Rio de Janeiro, Hélio played for Botafogo in 2002 and Uberlândia before arriving at Gávea. But it was at Londrina that the point guard excelled, becoming a starter for the team led by coach Paulo Chupeta. According to the player, beyond the technical aspect, the commitment and friendship of this group have made the difference in all competitions.
"I've never had relationship problems with any of the teams I've played for, but I recognize that this group is unique and different. There's no vanity or division here. We're friends on and off the court, and we're always together. In good times and in difficult times. During games, we look the other way and know we can count on any teammate. We have a deep commitment to this team and to Flamengo, regardless of the problems that arise off the court. Every team is like a marriage, with arguments, fights, and problems. But when they do happen, we sit down and resolve them right there and then. As Marcelinho likes to say, no one here goes to bed sad. Joy is the keynote of our team," revealed Hélio.
Sale of official products
At the red-black entrance, gate 5 of the Nilson Nelson Gymnasium, fans will be able to purchase official club products at a kiosk.