José Neto: "We see each game as a unique decision"
The red-black coach calls for game-by-game focus in the best-of-three series that will decide the NBB champion.
By Communication - Official Club Website - in
On Monday afternoon (May 25.05), the Gávea headquarters hosted the official press conference for the Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB) final. Flamengo's forward Marquinhos and coach José Neto answered questions from reporters. Bauru's forward Alex Garcia and coach Guerrinha answered questions. Kouros Monadjemi, director of institutional relations for the National Basketball League (LNB), also spoke to the press. The director opened the conversation by praising and congratulating both teams, who, he said, reached the final thanks to "merit and planning."
Neto said the team should approach each match as a unique decision in this final, which will be a best-of-three series, which he believes is more fair from a sporting perspective than a single decisive match. The red-and-black coach considered it fair that the trophy would be between Flamengo and Bauru, given the investment made by both teams, but praised the close competition and the other semifinalists, Limeira and Mogi das Cruzes. Marquinhos, who is reaching his third consecutive final of the competition—all with Flamengo—said each match has its own special flavor.
The opposing coach, Guerrinha, lamented the absence of power forward Jefferson, one of Bauru's standout players, and stated that his team will pursue the title but hopes to reach the third game of the series against Flamengo. The coach, who also commented on not playing at Panela de Pressão, assured that facing Flamengo is much more complicated than playing away from the team's traditional gymnasium. Alex, who experienced an intense rivalry with Flamengo when he played for Brasília, said that playing in Marília will be different, but the team will have the opportunity to train at the Neusa Galetti gymnasium.
Check out the photo gallery from the press conference.
Check out the highlights of Marquinhos and José Neto's interview.
José Neto
Road to the final
Everyone expected Flamengo and Bauru to reach the final, given the investment the teams made. But there were also expectations for Limeira and Mogi das Cruzes, which grew significantly and played a worthy semifinal against Bauru. This balance demonstrates the evolution of Brazilian basketball. Every year the League introduces something new to improve the championship. It demonstrates the evolution and desire for growth of the league and the clubs. Bauru will now play the World Cup against Real Madrid. At Flamengo, we're holding our own, which is even more difficult than achieving success. That's what we experienced after last season and what Bauru is experiencing. We reached the final in different ways. Bauru played very consistently in qualifying and then lost all four matches they could have in the playoffs. We, surprisingly, defeated Limeira, an excellent team and perhaps the most consistent after Bauru, playing beautiful, tactical basketball, showing individual and collective quality. The victory over them gave us great hope of a good final. Our beginning was not what everyone expected, but we are here and alive.
NBA Inspiration
"Today we have greater access to the NBA, and those of us who enjoy basketball watch. Their basketball is very different; we had the opportunity to play there in the preseason, but there are situations that, of course, spark ideas. Watching the games can always add something."
Jefferson's absence in Bauru
"I've worked with him at both the club and the national team, and his development as a player is clear. Jefferson is incredibly versatile and will undoubtedly be missed by Bauru. It was a huge achievement for them to reach the final even without him, who is an important player."
Decision in three games
"The single-game ending is fairer from a sporting perspective. It gives the team the chance to bounce back, like a playoff series. It was a sporting step forward for the League, and we have to prepare for it. We approach each game as a unique one, that's what I tell my players. Especially when we won't be home for the final. We can't play the first game thinking about the third. That's how we reached the final: thinking of each playoff game as decisive.
Marquinhos
Expectations for the final
"The NBB grows more and more every year, and I'm very happy to be playing in this final. I'm going to my third final in a row, but each decision is a different kind of chill. I try to approach the game equally, whether it's away or at home. Ultimately, there are five players on each side thinking about what's best for their team. We have to show what we're made of in the first home game."
NBA Inspiration
- Of course we watch. Watching Stephen Curry and LeBron James play, you want to do the same, show up at practice and try to copy their plays. It's great to see those guys play.
Neto said the team should approach each match as a unique decision in this final, which will be a best-of-three series, which he believes is more fair from a sporting perspective than a single decisive match. The red-and-black coach considered it fair that the trophy would be between Flamengo and Bauru, given the investment made by both teams, but praised the close competition and the other semifinalists, Limeira and Mogi das Cruzes. Marquinhos, who is reaching his third consecutive final of the competition—all with Flamengo—said each match has its own special flavor.
The opposing coach, Guerrinha, lamented the absence of power forward Jefferson, one of Bauru's standout players, and stated that his team will pursue the title but hopes to reach the third game of the series against Flamengo. The coach, who also commented on not playing at Panela de Pressão, assured that facing Flamengo is much more complicated than playing away from the team's traditional gymnasium. Alex, who experienced an intense rivalry with Flamengo when he played for Brasília, said that playing in Marília will be different, but the team will have the opportunity to train at the Neusa Galetti gymnasium.
Check out the photo gallery from the press conference.
Check out the highlights of Marquinhos and José Neto's interview.
José Neto
Road to the final
Everyone expected Flamengo and Bauru to reach the final, given the investment the teams made. But there were also expectations for Limeira and Mogi das Cruzes, which grew significantly and played a worthy semifinal against Bauru. This balance demonstrates the evolution of Brazilian basketball. Every year the League introduces something new to improve the championship. It demonstrates the evolution and desire for growth of the league and the clubs. Bauru will now play the World Cup against Real Madrid. At Flamengo, we're holding our own, which is even more difficult than achieving success. That's what we experienced after last season and what Bauru is experiencing. We reached the final in different ways. Bauru played very consistently in qualifying and then lost all four matches they could have in the playoffs. We, surprisingly, defeated Limeira, an excellent team and perhaps the most consistent after Bauru, playing beautiful, tactical basketball, showing individual and collective quality. The victory over them gave us great hope of a good final. Our beginning was not what everyone expected, but we are here and alive.
NBA Inspiration
"Today we have greater access to the NBA, and those of us who enjoy basketball watch. Their basketball is very different; we had the opportunity to play there in the preseason, but there are situations that, of course, spark ideas. Watching the games can always add something."
Jefferson's absence in Bauru
"I've worked with him at both the club and the national team, and his development as a player is clear. Jefferson is incredibly versatile and will undoubtedly be missed by Bauru. It was a huge achievement for them to reach the final even without him, who is an important player."
Decision in three games
"The single-game ending is fairer from a sporting perspective. It gives the team the chance to bounce back, like a playoff series. It was a sporting step forward for the League, and we have to prepare for it. We approach each game as a unique one, that's what I tell my players. Especially when we won't be home for the final. We can't play the first game thinking about the third. That's how we reached the final: thinking of each playoff game as decisive.
Marquinhos
Expectations for the final
"The NBB grows more and more every year, and I'm very happy to be playing in this final. I'm going to my third final in a row, but each decision is a different kind of chill. I try to approach the game equally, whether it's away or at home. Ultimately, there are five players on each side thinking about what's best for their team. We have to show what we're made of in the first home game."
NBA Inspiration
- Of course we watch. Watching Stephen Curry and LeBron James play, you want to do the same, show up at practice and try to copy their plays. It's great to see those guys play.