Marcelinho Machado: the greatest champion of the NBB
Check out the impressive numbers from the most successful player in red-black basketball
By Isabela Abirached and Isabel Oberg - in
Flamengo's greatest basketball idol is also the greatest champion in the history of the NBB CAIXA. Marcelinho Machado, at the ripe old age of 41 and with more than eight thousand points scored with the Manto Sagrado, lifted his fifth trophy this Saturday (11) - all five of the club's trophies in the competition were handed to the captain. For him, one was more special.
"The first NBB title, in 2008, here at our home, in a packed Arena. It was a truly special emotion, an unforgettable game. Playing in the final is like riding a roller coaster. The first time, it can be even colder. But you can go the twentieth time and you'll always have that different feeling," he said.
Marcelinho started playing basketball for Flamengo as a child, but only played professionally with the Sacred Mantle in 2007. After almost a decade playing for the Pride of the Nation professionally, the number 4 looks back and sees a brilliant trajectory, better than many teams out there. He won nine Cariocas (Carioca Championships), six Brazilian Championships (one in the Brazilian Bar Association and five in the Brazilian National Bar Association), one South American Championship, one League of the Americas, and one World Cup.
"Coming to Flamengo was a dream come true. I've always wanted to. I came close a few times before coming. But if I could choose, I couldn't have chosen a better time for my arrival. Everything worked out, and since 2007, Flamengo has been enjoying a very successful period in basketball, and I'm very happy to have contributed to that," said the number 4.
Marcelinho also chose the greatest athletes he has ever played with - and the one who best knew how to mark him.
"The person who marked me best was Alex (his opponent in the final, for Bauru). The people who played best alongside me were Marquinhos, Nico (Laprovittola) and David Jackson," concluded the captain.
The star in numbers (NBB1-NBB8):
254 games
5046 points
849 baskets of three
1049 free throws converted
1059 rebounds
768 assists
Average of 20 points per game
Average of 30 minutes on court per match
Inspiration against Saint Joseph
Against this opponent, Marcelinho achieved most of his personal bests. He scored 63 points in a single game on March 7, 2010—and in that game, he made 16 three-pointers, also the most he had in eight NBB seasons. In April of the same year, he grabbed 16 rebounds in the duel against São José. In December 2011, he had 13 assists in another match against the team from the interior of São Paulo.
"The first NBB title, in 2008, here at our home, in a packed Arena. It was a truly special emotion, an unforgettable game. Playing in the final is like riding a roller coaster. The first time, it can be even colder. But you can go the twentieth time and you'll always have that different feeling," he said.
Marcelinho started playing basketball for Flamengo as a child, but only played professionally with the Sacred Mantle in 2007. After almost a decade playing for the Pride of the Nation professionally, the number 4 looks back and sees a brilliant trajectory, better than many teams out there. He won nine Cariocas (Carioca Championships), six Brazilian Championships (one in the Brazilian Bar Association and five in the Brazilian National Bar Association), one South American Championship, one League of the Americas, and one World Cup.
"Coming to Flamengo was a dream come true. I've always wanted to. I came close a few times before coming. But if I could choose, I couldn't have chosen a better time for my arrival. Everything worked out, and since 2007, Flamengo has been enjoying a very successful period in basketball, and I'm very happy to have contributed to that," said the number 4.
Marcelinho also chose the greatest athletes he has ever played with - and the one who best knew how to mark him.
"The person who marked me best was Alex (his opponent in the final, for Bauru). The people who played best alongside me were Marquinhos, Nico (Laprovittola) and David Jackson," concluded the captain.
The star in numbers (NBB1-NBB8):
254 games
5046 points
849 baskets of three
1049 free throws converted
1059 rebounds
768 assists
Average of 20 points per game
Average of 30 minutes on court per match
Inspiration against Saint Joseph
Against this opponent, Marcelinho achieved most of his personal bests. He scored 63 points in a single game on March 7, 2010—and in that game, he made 16 three-pointers, also the most he had in eight NBB seasons. In April of the same year, he grabbed 16 rebounds in the duel against São José. In December 2011, he had 13 assists in another match against the team from the interior of São Paulo.