Brazil has changed their strengths for Caracas

BUENOS AIRES (Martin Seldes' Brave New World) - If you ask anyone who knows just a little bit about South American basketball what were Brazil's strengths last year in international basketball, the most common answer would be height and good low-post game.

Excluding the USA, Spain and some Eastern countries with lots of good tall guys, Brazil would be the country with the most prestigious centres in the world.

If we only count the most famous ones, we can say that Tiago Splitter, Nene Hilario and Anderson Varejao would be starters in any American team (outside the US).

The problem for coach Ruben Magnano and basketball followers in Brazil is that none of them will be in Caracas. And their first two replacements (Lucas Nogueira and Vitor Faverani), both recently added to the NBA, also turned down the call.

Brazil will still have the height but they will definitively lose talent in the low post.

However, we can say that Brazil have changed their strengths because suddenly they have very competitive point guards and shooters, while they will have to rebuild their painted zone.

Marcelinho Huertas has already proved what he is capable of. While he is on court, the team will play under his rhythm and the pick and roll play will be guaranteed if at least one of the big guys understand how to play it.

Don't be surprised if Huertas shoots more than in previous tournaments with the national team.

As well as Huertas, there are four other guys that can play point guard: Larry Taylor, Raul Neto (Raulzinho), Rafael Luz and Scott Machado.

Raul Neto will be the other player to start plays. His last years in Spain showed that his youth will not stop him from controlling the flow and make the team play as he wants.

He was selected by the Utah Jazz but again he showed how mature he is by deciding to stay one more year in Spain to keep growing before jumping to the NBA.

Machado, the other guy involved somehow with the NBA, has played reduced minutes this season and will have to adapt to the national team.

It's already known what Taylor can give the team both as point or as a shooter, while Luz has already played with Magnano and could even be cut before the tournament.

Magnano has another problem with this Brazil.

Every time he makes a list, he has to write not less than 20 names because it is usual to see players turn down the call even after the day they were supposed to join their teammates.

Even after that, Brazil is one of the main title contenders.

Role players such as Alex Garcia and Guilherme Giovannoni will have a key participation not only in defense but also leading the young guys and taking important shots.

CaioTorres (2.10m), Rafael Hettsheimeir (2.08m), Paulo Prestes (2.08m) and Rafael Mineiro (2,09m) are the guys with height and a lot to grow before they can compete face to face to experienced centres such as Luis Scola.

The other players that joined the team were Arthur, Vitor Benite and Marquinhos.

At this 2013 FIBA Americas Championship, there will be more absences than presences, and in that situation is where Brazil can have the advantage. They just have more than others. Will this changes make the team better?

Martin Seldes

FIBA

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