Marcelinho travels to support team in the Basketball League of the Americas
Recovering from a bone injury, the shooting guard says he can help the team in an important international tournament in Venezuela.
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
No one is denying Marcelinho's absence. With a bone injury in one of his hands, he's a definite absence from the Isla Margarita courts, where Flamengo will compete for a spot in the Final Four from December 14th to 16th. Still, he insists on accompanying the team and will be one of the members of the delegation departing this Saturday for Venezuela.
"I'm very sad that I can't play. Being there can help in some way. Staying at home, I can't help at all. I'm a player who has a leadership role, and even though I know I'll be worried during the games, I can talk to the team," explains the number 4, who already knew he wouldn't be able to play in the first match due to suspension, due to the incidents in Santiago del Estero, during the loss to Quimsa.
Even with his absence, the team's top scorer believes in Flamengo's chances. "Our group is very strong, and we'll fight to secure a spot in the Final Four."
For Marcelinho, it's hard to say what changes the team's performance will have without him on the court. "I always play. But the style of play changes a bit because I have a lot of offensive volume. We'll have to distribute the game to other players who score well, like Jefferson, Duda, Gui [Guilherme Teichmann], and Hélio."
The injury began on November 6th, when Flamengo faced Cetaf in the NBB. Since then, Marcelinho has been playing in the NBB and was rested in the State Championship. "I was playing hard and training only once a week. I felt the injury again in the first play of the Pinheiros game. Thankfully, there's a break ahead and I won't miss too many games."
According to professional basketball assistant coach João Batista, the team's style of play may undergo some changes in the offensive department. "Marcelinho is a player who unbalances the team. He is very aggressive and creates many shooting situations anywhere on the court. Without him, we will have to manage, play less offensively, make the ball move more, looking for a better shooting position that allows for good use," explains João Batista.
The team travels this Saturday, with a stopover in Panama and an overnight stay in the Dominican Republic, from where another flight departs to Isla Margarita. Flamengo debuts on December 14th against a Puerto Rican team, Capitanes Arecibo. The following night, they face Halcones Rojos (Mexico) and conclude their campaign on the 16th against the home team, Espartanos Margarita (Venezuela). The group winner qualifies for the Final Four, from February 4th to 6th, 2010.
Marcelinho was the top scorer in the first edition of Novo Basquete Brasil, with 1.047 points, and the team's top scorer in winning the 2009 South American League (161 points in six games).
"I'm very sad that I can't play. Being there can help in some way. Staying at home, I can't help at all. I'm a player who has a leadership role, and even though I know I'll be worried during the games, I can talk to the team," explains the number 4, who already knew he wouldn't be able to play in the first match due to suspension, due to the incidents in Santiago del Estero, during the loss to Quimsa.
Even with his absence, the team's top scorer believes in Flamengo's chances. "Our group is very strong, and we'll fight to secure a spot in the Final Four."
For Marcelinho, it's hard to say what changes the team's performance will have without him on the court. "I always play. But the style of play changes a bit because I have a lot of offensive volume. We'll have to distribute the game to other players who score well, like Jefferson, Duda, Gui [Guilherme Teichmann], and Hélio."
The injury began on November 6th, when Flamengo faced Cetaf in the NBB. Since then, Marcelinho has been playing in the NBB and was rested in the State Championship. "I was playing hard and training only once a week. I felt the injury again in the first play of the Pinheiros game. Thankfully, there's a break ahead and I won't miss too many games."
According to professional basketball assistant coach João Batista, the team's style of play may undergo some changes in the offensive department. "Marcelinho is a player who unbalances the team. He is very aggressive and creates many shooting situations anywhere on the court. Without him, we will have to manage, play less offensively, make the ball move more, looking for a better shooting position that allows for good use," explains João Batista.
The team travels this Saturday, with a stopover in Panama and an overnight stay in the Dominican Republic, from where another flight departs to Isla Margarita. Flamengo debuts on December 14th against a Puerto Rican team, Capitanes Arecibo. The following night, they face Halcones Rojos (Mexico) and conclude their campaign on the 16th against the home team, Espartanos Margarita (Venezuela). The group winner qualifies for the Final Four, from February 4th to 6th, 2010.
Marcelinho was the top scorer in the first edition of Novo Basquete Brasil, with 1.047 points, and the team's top scorer in winning the 2009 South American League (161 points in six games).