Title-eaters hungry for new conquests
In his sixth season leading Flamengo's basketball team, Paulo Chupeta wants more trophies for his collection.
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Five-time Rio de Janeiro champion, two-time national champion, and South American champion. An enviable resume. But Paulo Chupeta wants more. In his sixth season leading Flamengo's men's basketball team, the coach aims to reclaim the NBB title, which Brasília won last season, and strive for unprecedented titles, such as the Liga das Américas, in addition to maintaining his dominance in Rio de Janeiro.
To achieve this, he will have his faithful squire João Batista at his side, and under his command, what he considers to be one of the best, if not the best, Flamengo squad in recent years. With the arrivals of Kyle Lamonte and Baby, in addition to retaining the core team that played in recent seasons, the coach believes Flamengo can have an unforgettable basketball season.
Check out the coach's exclusive interview with Flamengo's official website below, where he revealed his expectations for the future, praised the group and its connection with the fans, and explained how the team's work has been going in these first days of the season.
Paulo Pacifier – It's a step up in my career. I was given the chance to take over the team in 2005, and they began to see me differently with the title against Telemar. It was an unforgettable achievement and the beginning of all these titles. That year, we finished 17th in the National Championship. Then, we finished seventh. We evolved, we were champions twice in a row, South American champions, I was called up to the national team... Last year, we finished second, despite battling numerous injuries, and I believe my career and my development have come hand in hand with this group, thanks to the support of the board and president Patricia Amorim, who believed in the work and built strong groups over the years.
John the Baptist – We worked together in 2003 and 2004. I was a defensive assistant and he was an attacking assistant. When I became head coach, I brought him in as my right-hand man. João was always a great defender when he played, despite also having a great shot. He was a determined defensive player and brought that mindset with him. To perform well in competitions, you need people you trust by your side, and that's my case. Last year, for example, in two games, against Paulistano and Pinheiros, I was sick and couldn't travel, and João led the team. The proof that he knows the team well and does his job perfectly is that the team won both games. It's important to highlight the work of this duo. You can always trust each other. They're not a country duo, but they're quite successful, right? (laughs)
Current group – Lamonte arrived this morning (Friday), was introduced to the group, and he's a very talented player. He'll be a huge help to us. We also have Wagner, who had a sensational playoff run, the return of Baby, as a key player in the paint, Duda, a Brazilian national team player, and together with Marcelinho, who is the team's biggest star, as I say, I'm sure we'll give our opponents a lot of headaches. It's a good thing we have them on our side. I wouldn't want to have to play against them (laughs).
NBB 2010-2011 – I believe this will be the strongest year for Novo Basquete Brasil so far. The competition has grown, and teams are strengthening significantly to try to knock Flamengo and Brasília out of the finals. São José has strengthened, signing Murilo; Pinheiros has Marquinhos from the national team; Franca has five new players... In addition to Brasília, the defending champion, Bauru, with excellent work from Guerrinha, Joinville, a traditional team, and Uberlândia, returning... It's going to be an intense battle for the title.
Titles – Flamengo always goes in to win. We have players accustomed to decisive action; they know their goal is always to win titles. History only speaks of winners, and they are winners. We have a strong group, with players accustomed to winning. Last year, we came close, but unfortunately, we had a lot of injury problems. Even so, we lost in the last second to Nacional. Now, expectations are very high; I hope everything goes well and we fight for all the titles we're up for. That's our goal.
Cheerleaders - This group has established a strong connection and created a new faction of basketball fans. Today, people talk about basketball. Not only in Rio, but also at away games in São Paulo and Brasília... The fans are very supportive, the following has grown, and we have a very good level of fans, with people who know when to shout and support the team, and that motivates a lot. Even in the bad times, the fans have never stopped supporting the team, and this identification with our sixth man will be crucial once again.
Training – We did the first week of medical evaluations, the second week of physical training, and now, since last week, we've been working on defense alongside physical training. We had a very strong defense last year, but we can still improve. Only next week should we start training more offensively.
To achieve this, he will have his faithful squire João Batista at his side, and under his command, what he considers to be one of the best, if not the best, Flamengo squad in recent years. With the arrivals of Kyle Lamonte and Baby, in addition to retaining the core team that played in recent seasons, the coach believes Flamengo can have an unforgettable basketball season.
Check out the coach's exclusive interview with Flamengo's official website below, where he revealed his expectations for the future, praised the group and its connection with the fans, and explained how the team's work has been going in these first days of the season.
Paulo Pacifier – It's a step up in my career. I was given the chance to take over the team in 2005, and they began to see me differently with the title against Telemar. It was an unforgettable achievement and the beginning of all these titles. That year, we finished 17th in the National Championship. Then, we finished seventh. We evolved, we were champions twice in a row, South American champions, I was called up to the national team... Last year, we finished second, despite battling numerous injuries, and I believe my career and my development have come hand in hand with this group, thanks to the support of the board and president Patricia Amorim, who believed in the work and built strong groups over the years.
John the Baptist – We worked together in 2003 and 2004. I was a defensive assistant and he was an attacking assistant. When I became head coach, I brought him in as my right-hand man. João was always a great defender when he played, despite also having a great shot. He was a determined defensive player and brought that mindset with him. To perform well in competitions, you need people you trust by your side, and that's my case. Last year, for example, in two games, against Paulistano and Pinheiros, I was sick and couldn't travel, and João led the team. The proof that he knows the team well and does his job perfectly is that the team won both games. It's important to highlight the work of this duo. You can always trust each other. They're not a country duo, but they're quite successful, right? (laughs)
Current group – Lamonte arrived this morning (Friday), was introduced to the group, and he's a very talented player. He'll be a huge help to us. We also have Wagner, who had a sensational playoff run, the return of Baby, as a key player in the paint, Duda, a Brazilian national team player, and together with Marcelinho, who is the team's biggest star, as I say, I'm sure we'll give our opponents a lot of headaches. It's a good thing we have them on our side. I wouldn't want to have to play against them (laughs).
NBB 2010-2011 – I believe this will be the strongest year for Novo Basquete Brasil so far. The competition has grown, and teams are strengthening significantly to try to knock Flamengo and Brasília out of the finals. São José has strengthened, signing Murilo; Pinheiros has Marquinhos from the national team; Franca has five new players... In addition to Brasília, the defending champion, Bauru, with excellent work from Guerrinha, Joinville, a traditional team, and Uberlândia, returning... It's going to be an intense battle for the title.
Titles – Flamengo always goes in to win. We have players accustomed to decisive action; they know their goal is always to win titles. History only speaks of winners, and they are winners. We have a strong group, with players accustomed to winning. Last year, we came close, but unfortunately, we had a lot of injury problems. Even so, we lost in the last second to Nacional. Now, expectations are very high; I hope everything goes well and we fight for all the titles we're up for. That's our goal.
Cheerleaders - This group has established a strong connection and created a new faction of basketball fans. Today, people talk about basketball. Not only in Rio, but also at away games in São Paulo and Brasília... The fans are very supportive, the following has grown, and we have a very good level of fans, with people who know when to shout and support the team, and that motivates a lot. Even in the bad times, the fans have never stopped supporting the team, and this identification with our sixth man will be crucial once again.
Training – We did the first week of medical evaluations, the second week of physical training, and now, since last week, we've been working on defense alongside physical training. We had a very strong defense last year, but we can still improve. Only next week should we start training more offensively.
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