Be a three-point shooter or die - the contemporary NBA's "dilemma"

When I was younger I used to play basketball, even living here in Brazil.

So what?

Well, it is surprising because, as you probably know, soccer is kind of a mandatory religion, when it comes to this tropical, peculiar country. So, every Brazilian - since their childhood - is condemned to "the curse of one-single-sports mindset".

What does it mean?

Let me give you some examples.

PE classes are nothing but impromptu soccer matches for schoolboys in the majority of educational institutions. Female students, on the other hand, play some sort of dodgeball (we call it "queimada"). In public places, small talks usually involve chatting about the last soccer games. Brazilian sports journalism is focused on soccer - 95% of the time. Need I say more?

Against all odds, however, I became a huge basketball enthusiast. And, of course, like the worldwide opinion, NBA is the most-beloved competition.

Naturally, I have my favorite players. John Wall, DeMar DeRozan, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and Karl-Anthony Towns - this would be my ideal lineup. Each one, in my opinion, have brought some valuable, wonderfull and - at the same time - uncomplicated things to the game. DeRozan, by the way, is the best illustration of that.

Toronto Raptors' shooting guard has been presenting a nice, classic playing style on court; his moves remind me the 1980' ones (I started to see NBA broadcasts at that time), however, with the athleticism of the present-day guys. DeRozan's stats have proven his worth to the team and a large number of fans agree that he deserves to be called a star (speaking of which, he was elected to NBA All-Star Game four times - 2014, 2016, 2017 and this year).

But DeRozan's elegant "old-fashioned" way is changing a little. And it's necessary, if he wants to be even more important for his team (and even more prominent in the league). Being a good three-point shooter is crucial nowadays. He's realized it and his numbers around the perimeter show that.

In his first NBA season DeRozan tried, on average, 0.2 three-point field goals per game; in his fourth one, an increase to 1.5. Recently, he attempted 3.6 three-pointers per game in 2017-18 season. His efficiency behind the 3-point line is not that good yet, but the Raptors' player has learnt that his playing style must incorporate those shots, since many guards, forwards and even centers have been developing that ability.

It's not a secret. Every NBA team - even San Antonio Spurs - needs three-pointers, if they want to go ahead and, eventually, win the championship. I think it's not an exaggeration to say that NBA players have been facing a "dilemma": Be a three-point shooter or die.

Soccer players interviews: What a uselessness!

The amount of programs on Brazilian TV in which soccer is the one single subject discussed is unbelievable!

Besides the live broadcasts of a considerable amount of matches (played here or abroad), there is a profusion of shows where former athletes, journalists, commentators and some sort of "sporting pundits" talk (a lot) and (often) argue about the game, as if it was the most important stuff in the whole world.

It's not easy to find good information about other sports on local traditional media. People who loathe soccer, like me (but love basketball, volleyball, tennis, judo, skateboarding...), usually have a hard time watching Brazilian channels - even on pay-TV.

And why are there so many interviews with soccer players? I frankly can not see what is their point. What are those conversations for? Don't get me wrong, pal. I'm not saying that all soccer players are complete morons (even though some of them, definitely, are); I'm complaining because those interviews are repetitive, full of commonplaces and obviousness. Most of the players sound the same when they are talking!

Youtuber Lilly Singh made a hilarious video that may be kind of helpful now, I think. She is mocking interviews with athletes in general, in the North American context, but it's pretty similar to Brazil and its soccer players. Check it out:



As she said, at the moment of the interview, "every player literally turns into Captain Obvious and says nothing of value". But I agree with her: Athletes have other fantastic skills and "not everyone can be a great speaker and take great shots".

Before I forget: TV reporters also could improve their questions, couldn't they? 

An idol called Paula

March 11 1962: Maria Paula Gonçalves da Silva was born in Osvaldo Cruz, Brazil. Nicknamed Magic Paula (relating to former american point/shooting guard Earvin "Magic" Johnson), she is one of the greatest basketball players of all times - and one of my idols! (In 2002, I got her handwritten signature on this book shown above; it was wonderful!).

One of these days, I'll write about her and why she's so outstanding to me.