BRA - An old hero likes the path of Magnano’s team

RIO DE JANEIRO (FIBA Americas Championship/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - No one in Brazil will ever forget the summer of 1987, when the country’s national team travelled to Indianapolis, Indiana, to play at the Pan American Games and surprised the United States in the gold-medal game.

Marcel Souza and Oscar Schmidt combined for 55 of Brazil's 66 second-half points as they hit back from a 68-54 half-time deficit and won, 120-115.

Oscar, who was 29 at the time, erupted for 35 points in the second half and had 46 for the game while Souza poured in 31.

While the pair grabbed the headlines, Brazil were not a two-man team.

Another to contribute was the 2.05m Israel Machado, who also played in the sides that had finished fourth at the 1986 World Championship in Spain as well as fifth at the 1990 World Championship and both the 1988 and 1992 Olympics.

Among his abiding memories of the days when he wore the Brazil shirt?

“It was a very good atmosphere,” Machado says.

“All of us were great friends.

“Everyone came ready to play to win. There was no question about what this player or that player would do on the court.”

If any player ever had a grievance, it was done in the changing room.

“If anyone had something to say, questioning, it was done in the locker room and never in public,” Machado says.

“It was kept in the locker room.

“Everyone was happy that way.

“Everyone on the team knew it would be important for achieving important results.

“We couldn’t think any differently…

“The important thing is that it was a group that knew and understood the responsibility it had.

“Everybody felt good about being a part of that group.”

Brazil’s time is coming

Machado had a very good feeling about the national team in his playing days, and he likes what he sees in the national team now as well.

Brazil won the gold medal at the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship, silver in the same event last year and then reached the Quarter-Finals of the London Games.

The Brazilians had a squad that some felt would challenge for the gold medal, but they dug themselves a hole against Argentina in the last eight and never managed to climb out of it, losing 82-77.

The players seemed to be a frustrated bunch in London, especially after falling to Argentina.

That is, perhaps, a good thing.

The Brazilians do not want to settle for just being at the party.

“Brazil are seeking a great result and will achieve,” Machado says.

“They are experienced players who work in the NBA and Europe, and I believe it is only on small details that have not yet reached the podium (of an Olympics or World Championship).”

The World Championship is now called the FIBA Basketball World Cup, and it will be staged in Spain in 2014.

Machado, speaking in an interview on the Brazilian Basketball Confederation (CBB) website, says: “They will get it (right) soon.

“Coach Ruben Magnano just has to continue with what he has been doing, besides the strong work of the national league.

“I believe also that other players will emerge and further strengthen the Brazilian group.”

FIBA