Redemptive interval
Assistant coach João Batista explains change in attitude in the last game
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Those at HSBC Arena last Tuesday witnessed an unusual event. Teichmann had only to step onto the court for the referee toss the ball into the air, signaling the start of the second half of the Flamengo vs. Paulistano match. Interestingly, the Flamengo basketball team had stayed in the locker room longer than expected. Some reserves and coaching staff members even missed the opening seconds of the third quarter. But the extra time was worth it. What the crowd saw next was a team with a different attitude. The call, according to assistant coach João Batista, had an effect.
"The team had started very slowly in the first half. No disrespect to Paulistano, but they had a team far below our level, with a lot of young players and reserves. And our players were very inattentive, it seemed like they lacked motivation. I demanded this from them. I asked what was going on," Paulo Chupeta's assistant explained to Flamengo's official website.
On the return leg, the game was closer to the style that had led the club to its second national championship. At the end of 10 minutes, the lead had increased from nine to 24 points (74-50). The team began to play faster, exploiting counterattacks. In the final quarter, Flamengo opened up a 40-point lead, the final score ending at 105-70.
João Batista, a former player for the club, is in charge of the defense. "I dare say that in basketball, defense is 99% a result of the athlete's disposition and 1% technical. If I can't convey that to them, it's my fault, and I have no problem owning up to it. I wanted them to show something different. And the response came back on the court. We managed to play a much better second half for the group and for those watching. All it took was a little more dedication."
In a phone interview with the official website, forward Duda and point guard Fred stated that the group demanded more from each other during halftime. "We talked a lot. We had to change our approach. Our defense was waiting for the opponent to make mistakes. And we have to make them make mistakes," said Duda. "No one was satisfied, and the conversation ended up going on too long," Fred added.
"The team had started very slowly in the first half. No disrespect to Paulistano, but they had a team far below our level, with a lot of young players and reserves. And our players were very inattentive, it seemed like they lacked motivation. I demanded this from them. I asked what was going on," Paulo Chupeta's assistant explained to Flamengo's official website.
On the return leg, the game was closer to the style that had led the club to its second national championship. At the end of 10 minutes, the lead had increased from nine to 24 points (74-50). The team began to play faster, exploiting counterattacks. In the final quarter, Flamengo opened up a 40-point lead, the final score ending at 105-70.
João Batista, a former player for the club, is in charge of the defense. "I dare say that in basketball, defense is 99% a result of the athlete's disposition and 1% technical. If I can't convey that to them, it's my fault, and I have no problem owning up to it. I wanted them to show something different. And the response came back on the court. We managed to play a much better second half for the group and for those watching. All it took was a little more dedication."
In a phone interview with the official website, forward Duda and point guard Fred stated that the group demanded more from each other during halftime. "We talked a lot. We had to change our approach. Our defense was waiting for the opponent to make mistakes. And we have to make them make mistakes," said Duda. "No one was satisfied, and the conversation ended up going on too long," Fred added.