Brazil 76, China 88 - Game 2

Again the Brazilians started off slow. They can't keep digging themselves a hole and expect to come back. Janeth sat out the game with a stomach virus. That wasn't the difference-maker though. If they have so much trouble getting into morning games, they have something to worry about as all the elimination round games start at 9:30 a.m.
Looks like the Brazilian players were handed a memo prior to today's game. More like a check list, actually, bullet points and all, on things they shouldn't do during the game. If I had to guess, I think it went somewhat like this:

- Box out;
- Read defenses;
- Help defense;
- Set picks;
- Post up and double down;
- Contest shots;
- Protect the ball.

That's all I can think about now, but I'm pretty sure Barbosa's not-to-do list had a couple more items.
So yesterday, Bizarro Barbosa used his bench effectively, tried different combinations, tried different defenses, made in-game adjustments, did what a good coach was supposed to do. Today he was back to his old stubborn self, being outcoached by Tom Maher. He stuck with a post combo of Alessandra and Cintia for the most part of the game because, honestly, he didn't get a good enough look at them in the 12 years they have been the starting frontcourt for the Brazilian National Team. Érika and Jucimara rode pine and when they got in, they weren't used effectively. The entry passes to Érika were atrocious. Micaela was left alone to figure out what to do with the ball on offense. Nobody was moving, they were all standing while Adriana bounced the ball desperately hoping to find someone to receive a pass. They weren't communicating. Barbosa took 3 quarters too long to switch to a man-to-man defense because the 1-2-2 zone wasn't really limiting China's 3-point attempts, just how it wasn't yesterday, the difference being that today they were hitting their shots. Were they ever.
It's become clear that the best lineup is Adriana, Iziane, Micaela, Érika and some other post (doesn't really matter). I would bring Janeth off the bench, she needs to rest her tired legs. In the 16 minutes she was given to show her stuff, Érika scored 17 points on 62% shooting, but she also comitted 9 turnovers, mostly from putting the ball down and trying to retrieve the bad entry passes. She has to keep the ball up, turn around and shoot. Don't put the ball down, girl. Iziane once more was bailing us out on offense, always a threat when she attacks the basket. She finished with 19 points. As I mentioned, the difference today was that China were hitting their 3-point shots. They shot 67% from the 3-point line for 36 out of their 88 points. Always uncontested shots. L J Miao had 26 points. See, they have their own LJ. L Bian had 16 points on 80% shooting.
The fact that the team was so lost trying to guard the Chinese guards doesn't bode well because South Korea plays the same way. Moving the ball, trying to find the open shooter and to make matters worse, they practice exhaustively how to shoot highly contested shots from the perimeter, so they have a pretty high conversion rate. South Korea eliminated Brazil from the last World Champs. You'd think they learned their lesson. Apparently not.
Nothing can ruin my mood when we beat Argentina 3x0, not to mention put on a show for the Brits to see. Jumping into the pitch from the stands isn't cool though.

Random Notes:
I forgot to mention, but the volleyball shorts are gone and the uniforms look good. Of course they look better on some players, but that's not the point. They look good and I would wear them myself. Enough said.
Next game is against Chinese Taipei at 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Scores:
BRAZIL 76 (21 + 19 + 14 + 22)
CHINA 88 (26 + 22 + 19 + 21)

Brazil: Helen, Micaela (12), Iziane (19), Cíntia (5) and Alessandra (6).
Adrianinha (12), Palmira (3), Mamá (2), Érika (17), Silvia and Kelly.
Head Coach: Antonio Carlos Barbosa.

China: Xiao Yun Song (9), Lan Bian (16), Lie Jie Miao (26), Xiao Zhang (6) and Nan Chen (10).
Guang Jia (3), Fei Fei Sui (7), Wei Zhang, Li Wei Song (1), Xiao Chen (5) and Dan Liu (5).
Head Coach: Tom Maher (AUS).

Check CBB for the Official Game Recap and Box Score.