Brazil still has it. The core that includes Nene, Tiago Splitter, Anderson Varejao and Leandro Barbosa is healthy at the right time, and any team that offers as much size as Spain should cause problems for others at the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
FIBA World Cup 2014 preview: Brazil’s frontcourt size is unique
A familiar Brazilian team with a lot of size will bring a unique style to the FIBA World Cup.
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Unfortunately for either itself or its opponents, Brazil will have to navigate through a treacherous Group A that includes the aforementioned Spanish squad and 2013 EuroBasket champion France. Iran, Serbia and Egypt fill out the most difficult group of the tournament.
Still, Brazil’s depth and size will give it a good shot at advancing through opening group play. A solid exhibition showing through three quarters of a 95-78 loss against a U.S. team that was still figuring things out showed glimpses of the trouble the Brazilians can give smaller opponents.
How they got here
The powers that be at FIBA gave Brazil one of four wild cards, joining Turkey, Greece and Finland as the lucky teams awarded tickets to the World Cup. Brazil struggled mightily in the 2013 FIBA Americas tournament and finished fifth in Group A of the first round of the event.
Mexico, Puerto Rico, Argentina and the Dominican Republic fought for their berths last summer, but FIBA understood that Brazil’s struggles a year ago occurred because the team didn’t have its four best players on the roster, for a variety of reasons. With those NBA players on the roster two years ago, Brazil finished fifth in the 2012 London Olympics.
Key players
2014 FIBA World Cup
Nene: One of the three key big men, Nene will get his points by using brute force in an international competition where few teams -- Spain and the United States -- have the size to contend with Brazil. His defensive instincts and lane-clogging will be equally important against more perimeter-oriented squads.
Tiago Splitter: The San Antonio Spurs have groomed Splitter into a confident big man over the past few seasons. In an exhibition against the United States, Splitter went 8-for-9 from the field to lead Brazil with 16 points.
Anderson Varejao: The Cavs’ big man will provide his usual energy that will show up in the box score in rebounds and blocked shots.
Leandro Barbosa: Barbosa seems recovered from a broken hand that ended his season with the Suns. Although Barbosa is a bit older these days, he still has the speed to blow by defenders and create for his teammates.
Marcelinho Huertas: The 31-year-old point guard who plays for FC Barcelona led the Brazilians in field goal attempts and assists during the disappointing 2013 FIBA Americas run. He will be a more natural passer now that he’s teamed with Barbosa and the wealth of bigs.
Medal chances
Brazil’s Group A may be tagged with the “group of death” moniker entering the World Cup, but with four teams advancing to the knockout stage out of each group, Brazil should have no trouble getting to the second phase of the tournament. That’s where things will get interesting.
Brazil has the size and NBA experience to give any team trouble, even Spain. That could be a potential semifinal matchup should Brazil and Spain finish in first and second place in Group A. On the flip side, Brazil’s age has to be a worry. This is the oldest team at the World Cup, and players like Nene and Varejao have a lot of wear and tear on their bodies after struggling through injuries for parts of last season.
Schedule
Group A
Aug. 30 vs. France
Aug. 31 vs. Iran
Sept. 1 vs. Spain
Sept. 3 vs. Serbia
Sept. 4 vs. Egypt
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