As the basketball tournament in Paris reaches its fever pitch, one team has emerged as the Cinderella story of the season: Brazil. The South American squad has defied expectations to secure a spot in the medal round, becoming the underdog everyone is talking about.
Brazil's Path to Paris
The journey began in Riga, Latvia, where Brazil secured their ticket to Paris by defeating the host nation. Their victory on Latvian soil last month was just the beginning of their fairy tale. The team managed to edge their way into the medal round thanks to a tiebreaker and some impressive 3-point shooting in a critical game against Japan in Lille, France.
Brazil is making its mark in Paris with standout defensive and offensive plays. Their prowess is evident, as they lead the tournament in offensive rebounding, averaging an impressive 13 offensive boards per game.
The Brazilian Roster
Much of Brazil's success can be attributed to their veteran lineup. The roster includes five players aged over 30 who bring a wealth of experience to the court. Among them is Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos, the lone current NBA player on the team. However, it was Bruno Caboclo who delivered a stellar performance against Japan, scoring 33 points and showcasing the depth of Brazil's talent.
Offensive Firepower
Offense has also been a strong suit for Brazil, particularly their 3-point shooting. During pool play, the team shot an impressive 45% from beyond the arc, averaging 11 successful 3-pointers per game. This long-range accuracy has been critical in several close contests, helping to put them over the top.
Diversity in scoring is another hallmark of this Brazilian squad. Six different players are averaging eight or more points per game in the Paris Olympics, making them a versatile and unpredictable opponent.
Challenges Await
Next up for Brazil is a highly anticipated matchup against Team USA. Despite the odds, Brazil's physicality and teamwork have caught the eye of Steve Kerr, coach of the United States team. "They're very physical. I think they're the No. 1 offensive rebounding team in the tournament," Kerr noted. "They've got a lot of really good shooters and they just play hard. They compete play after play, so we'll have to be ready for their physicality and their shooting, and we need to be on edge and ready for them because they're not going to back down."
Kerr's observations are not out of place. Team USA has faced its own struggles in the tournament, particularly with securing offensive rebounds. The Americans have given up 16 more offensive rebounds than they've secured, highlighting an area of vulnerability that Brazil could potentially exploit.
The Road Ahead
If Brazil manages to pull off another upset and advance past Team USA, they will face the winner of the Serbia-Australia matchup. Each game brings its own set of challenges, but Brazil has shown remarkable resilience and adaptability throughout the tournament.
The broader basketball community, including luminaries like LeBron James, has taken note of Brazil's dedication and strategy. "I've watched all the games. They're very dedicated to their offensive and defensive systems," remarked James, underscoring the team's disciplined approach.
Kerr likened the Olympic journey to running an 800-meter race, a metaphor that captures the combination of endurance and speed required at this elite level of competition. "In the spirit of the Olympics and the marathon/sprint metaphor that I've used, now that we've been through it, I would call it (like running) the 800 meters. We're running really hard, but it's not the 100 meters," he analogized.
As the tournament edges closer to its climax, Brazil's story continues to captivate fans and analysts alike. Their combination of veteran savvy, tenacious rebounding, and sharp shooting has turned them from an underdog into a legitimate contender. Whether they can sustain this momentum against powerhouses like Team USA remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Brazil is playing with the heart and determination befitting an Olympic Cinderella story.