NBB rivalries

When Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB), the Brazilian basketball league, was created through the combination of top basketball teams in the country, there were some rivalries that came from the times of old Campeonato Brasileiro de Basquete. Many teams had already faced in decisive phases of playoffs and some players who played for rival teams began to be harassed by fans, for example, the guard Nezinho dos Santos was player of the extinct COC/Ribeirão Preto, that was a great rival of Franca. When he moved to Limeira and after to Brasília He continued to be pursued by the fans. After the criation of NBB and the organization of Brazilian basketball, these rivalries have intensified.

National rivalries

Flamengo vs. Brasília

The rivalry between Flamengo and Brasília is considered the greatest one in Brazilian basketball today. It started in 2008, when the teams disputed the final of Campeonato Brasileiro de Basquete. Brasília defended the title, because won the previous season. But Flamengo won the series by 3-0 and its first national title.

In the first NBB's edition, Flamengo finished the regular season in the first place while Brasília finished in the second place. And they met again in the final. Flamengo, led by the forward Marcelinho Machado and the center Rafael "Baby" Araújo, won the team led by the guards Alex Garcia and Valtinho for the second time. In game 5 there was a lot of confusion among players of both teams, which led to the exclusion of Baby and Márcio Cipriano in the first two minutes of play.

In the 2009–10 NBB season, two more decisions: Liga Sudamericana and Novo Basquete Brasil, both won by Brasília. In game 3 of NBB's final series, more confusion, this time involving the fans of Brasilia, who stormed the court and tried attacking players of Flamengo. This episode has made the last game of the series was played in Anápolis, and not in Brasilia. Brasília won by only two points.

On December 13, 2012, both teams realized the thousandth game of history in NBB, for the 2012–13 NBB season, in Rio de Janeiro, and Flamengo won the game by 102-88, in a game filled with confusion, with several technical fouls and eliminated players. This same game, the guards of Brasília Alex Garcia and Nezinho dos Santos, and the headcoach José Carlos Vidal, were excluded of the match.

On February 8, 2013, Flamengo and Brasília met each other for the first game of the group B in FIBA Americas League, in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. In this match, Flamengo didn't play well and Brasília took to administer the game from start to finish, winning by 91-79. Between the third quarter and the fourth quarter the power went out in the city, and the game had to be completed without the normal conditions.

The historic balance between the two teams can be perceived by the tie of 19 wins of Flamengo against 19 of Brasília in 38 official matches played, excluding friendlies. Considering only the 20 valid games in NBB, the advantage is of Brasilia, with 11 wins against 9 wins of Flamengo.

Brasília vs. Franca

Franca is the greatest champion in Twentieth century with ten national titles, so getting the nickname Capital of Basketball. But in last years, with the rise of Brasilia, that won four national titles, hat post became threatened. Besides the rivalry for recognition as the Capital of Basketball, teams competed in the finals of the CBB 2006/2007 and the 2010–11 NBB season, both won by Brasília.

In the 2010–11 NBB season, Franca had the advantage of playing three games of the final series at home, but Brasília took this advantage to win one of the matches in Franca. In the game 4, Brasília, playing at home, won the last game and was the champion for the second following time.

In the 2012–13 NBB season, Brasília found a renewed Franca, who had begun a total makeover of the team, with the recruitment of young players and a new coach. That would be just the headcoach Lula Ferreira, who had been champion with Brasilia two years earlier. Franca, with the best defense the league has a lot of work to the champions of the tree previous seasons, but were defeated in two matches.

Considering only the 19 valid games in NBB, in retrospect Brasilia takes advantage with 13 wins against 6 wins of Franca.

Flamengo vs. Franca

These two teams faced each other since the days of old Campeonato Brasileiro de Basquete. But in Novo Basquete Brasil, this rivalry have intensified. The first decision was in 2009–10 NBB season, when Flamengo won the series by 3-1, with a three-pointer in the last seconds made by Marcelinho Machado in game 4.

In the following season, 2010–11 NBB season, Franca won the series by 3-0. But in game 3 the guard of Franca Fernando Penna passed the ball between the legs of David Teague. Franca won Flamengo by fifteen points this moment. The other players of Flamengo, led by Marcelinho Machado, did not like that and started a lot of confusion, including the intervention of security.

In 2012–13 NBB season, Flamengo won the first game between them, in Franca, by 82-77. Led by Vitor Benite, with 21 points and 4 assists, and Olivinha, with 17 points and 11 rebounds, the team from Rio de Janeiro beat the young team led by the coach Lula Ferreira. In the second game, in Rio de Janeiro, Franca won Flamengo by 91-86, after lose by twelve points in the last quarter. This victory finished a twenty-victory sequence of Flamengo.

Considering only the 17 valid games in NBB, in retrospect Flamengo takes advantage with 9 wins against 8 wins of Franca.

Brasília vs. Uberlândia

Brasília and Uberlândia have a close relationship, where both teams have a good relationship between the directions and constantly negotiate players. But when the teams are in court, the rivalry the players themselves and the twisted surfaces, increasing the tension of the game. When games are played in Brasília the fans boo former players of Brasilia Valtinho and Estevam Ferreira. In contrast, when the games take place in Uberlândia, fans chase mainly the guard Nezinho dos Santos, which is actually persecuted throughout Brazil. These teams met in the quarterfinals of the playoffs in the 2010–11 NBB season. On this occasion, the team of Brasília beat Uberlândia 3-2.

Considering only the 11 valid games in NBB, in retrospect Brasília takes advantage with 6 wins against 5 wins of Uberlândia.

Franca vs. Uberlândia

In 2004 Uberlândia was the national champion, after a final against Flamengo. The team was led by the legendary coach Hélio Rubens Garcia and his son, the guard Hélio Rubens Filho. After the end of 2005 season, both moved to Franca, team that Hélio Rubens had played in the 70s and 80s and trained in the 80s and 90s, and where they remained for seven years.

During these years Franca faced Uberlândia many times while Hélio Rubens and Helinho had a personal battle of having to face their former team, where they were too loved. In the first two games between Franca and Uberlândia in NBB, 2010–11 NBB season, Franca won both games. When the 2011–12 NBB season finished, the legendary coach and the guard returned to Uberlândia.

In the 2012–13 NBB season, Uberlândia won both the games in the regular season. The second game, disputed in Franca, would define the fourth-placed in regular season of NBB. If Franca won, it would have the vacancy direct to the quarterfinals of the tournament. If Uberlândia, who had already secured third place in advance, won the fourth place would be Bauru. After being behind by 19 points, Uberlândia reversed the score in the fourth quarter and won the victory, playing Franca for fifth place. Even in that game, the board and the fans of Franca made a beautiful tribute to the Uberlândia head coach Hélio Rubens, in thanks for all the years he coached Franca and all the titles he won.

Considering only the 6 valid games in NBB, in retrospect Uberlândia takes advantage with 4 wins against 2 wins of Franca

Flamengo vs. Pinheiros

The rivalry between Flamengo and Pinheiros represents more than a game between two of the greatest basketball teams in Brazil, but also a rivalry between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, the two largest cities in Brazil. Flamengo and Pinheiros played the quartefinal series in the 2009 NBB season and Flamengo beat its rival by 3-0, with wins by 92-87, 92-85 and 87-84. Marcelinho Machado was the best player in this series and made a double-double in game 1, with 40 points and 10 assists.

With the rise of Pinheiros, the became more balanced. In the 2010–11 NBB season and 2011–12 NBB season seasons Pinheiros finished the regular season in the third and second places,respectively, while Flamengo finished in the fourth place. In 2011–12 NBB season, Flamengo and Pinheiros played in the second round of the runoff when the games was tied by 88-88 missing four seconds. The forward Shamell Stallworth made a three-pointer with the clock reset already and gave the victory to Pinheiros. This game was extremelly important because Pinheiros because Pinheiros finished the regular season in front of Flamengo precisely by direct confrontation. In semifinal four of 2012 Liga Sudamericana, Pinheiros was the host team of the semifinal, and played against Flamengo, who won the game between them in the second round, by 107-77. With that victory, Flamengo won a place on the Final Four, and Pinheiros, would be eliminated later.

But in the 2013 FIBA Americas League, Pinheiros hit back by beating Flamengo in the semifinal four, beginning with a devastating first quarter, and beating the locals at the end of the game after a wrong free throw from Marquinhos, former player of Pinheiros, at the end of the game. Pinheiros would be the champion of that tournament later. In the second game in the 2012–13 NBB season, the history repeated itself, with a great first quarter of Pinheiros and a victory at the end. The shooting guard Duda Machado, from Flamengo, broke its record for points in NBB, scoring 36 points in that game.

Considering only the 13 valid games in NBB, in retrospect Flamengo takes advantage with 8 wins against 5 wins of Pinheiros.

Brasília vs. Pinheiros

Brasília and Pinheiros became rivals after two following semifinal series, in the NBB 2010-11 and NBB 2011-12 seasons. In the two occasions Brasília beat Pinheiros. In the first one, Brasília won by 3-1, with results by 84-80, 90-89, 92-99 and 99-93.

But in the second time, Brasília needed to work much harder to eliminate Pinheiros. After win game 1 by 90-77, in Brasília, the team of Distrito Federal lost the game 2 by 81-65, in Rio de Janeiro. The following game, also in São Paulo, was won by Brasília by 76-74. When the series returned to Brasília, missed one victory for Brasília to reach the final. It was the most extraordinary game of the series, won by Pinheiros in overtime by 109-105, taking the series back to São Paulo. But in the game 5 Pinheiros did not resist the experience of Brasilia, that won by 81-68.

In the 2012–13 NBB season, Pinheiros won the two games between them, and in the second game, dispute in São Paulo, Pinheiros won with three-pointer of the center Rafael Mineiro, when the match was tied by 89-89. That three-pointer gave the victory to Pinheiros and interrupted sixteen-victory streak of Brasília.

Considering only the 19 valid games in NBB, in retrospect Brasília takes advantage with 12 wins against 7 wins of Pinheiros.

Flamengo vs. São José

The rivalry between Flamengo and São José started in the 2009–10 NBB season, when then team from Rio de Janeiro eliminated its rival in the quarterfinal series of the playoffs, with a victory by 3-0. The forward Marcelinho Machado made three great matches and led his team to the semifinal series. The 2011–12 NBB season was marked by the first victory of São José over Flamengo in the history of NBB. It happened on February 25, 2012, in Rio de Janeiro, with a victory by 85-79.

That same season, both teams faced off in the playoffs again, this time in the semis. After five memorable games, with a lot of confusion and many technical fouls, São José eliminated Flamengo and reached its first final at the NBB. On the following season, 2012–13 NBB season, Flamengo won the two games between them in the regular season, after two matches marked by a great balance.

Considering only the 18 valid games in NBB, in retrospect Flamengo takes advantage with 14 wins against 4 wins of São José.

State rivalries

Uberlândia vs. Minas

Uberlândia and Minas dispute the hegemony of basketball of Minas Gerais. Minas was the main team of the state, when it was led by the guard Facundo Sucatzky and the Center Murilo Becker, while Uberlândia had not participated in the NBB. After entry of the Uberlândia in NBB and the output of Sucatzky and, especially Murilo, Uberlândia became stronger than Minas and assumed the status of main team of Minas Gerais.

In the 2012–13 NBB season, two wins to Uberlândia: in the first round, a suffered victory with a field goal of the point guard Helinho in the timer overflow. But in the second game, an easy win of Uberlândia and a spectacular match of the center Lucas Cipolini, author of incredible 36 points and 7 rebounds.

Considering only the 6 valid games in NBB, in retrospect Uberlândia takes advantage with 4 wins against 2 wins of Minas

Pinheiros vs. Paulistano

The century-old rivalry between these two teams go beyond basketball and expands to other sports. Pinheiros is located in Jardim Europa neighborhood, while Paulistano is located in the Jardim América neighborhood, both noble neighborhoods of Western Zone of São Paulo. Pinheiros and Paulistano met in the first round of the playoffs in 2009–10 NBB season and Pinheiros won the series by 3-0, with wins by 101-93, 94-92 and 74-73.

In 2011–12 NBB season, Pinheiros needed to win Paulistano in the last round of the regular season, and root against São José, for finish in the first place. In addition to taking the first place of the biggest rival, Paulistano fought for seventh place with Joinville. Playing at home, Piheiros was defeated in overtime by 87-82 and finished in the second place, while Paulistano finished in the seventh place.

In the 2012 State Championship Pinheiros and Paulistano decided the semifinal series and Pinheiros beat Paulistano by 3-0.

Considering only the 13 valid games in NBB, in retrospect Pinheiros takes advantage with 10 wins against 3 wins of Paulistano.

Flamengo vs. Tijuca

Flamengo vs. Tijuca are the only classic of Rio de Janeiro in NBB. It is an old rivalry disputed many state championships, but Tijuca never won Flamengo in the finals. The last two finals of state championship were played for them, both won by Flamengo. In 2012, Flamengo and Tijuca disputed the state championship with four teams. They reached the final without difficulties, and Flamengo the final series by 2-0 winning ist eighth straight state title. Despite these recent disputes, Flamengo and Tijuca have a great relationship both among his players as among the twisted. Fact is that Flamengo plays their games in the arena of Tijuca, Ginásio Álvaro Vieira Lima.

The rivalry intensified after the end of the state championship in 2012 when the guard of the Tijuca Arnaldinho and the center of Flamengo Shilton dos Santos fell out and offended each other. In the second game between the teams, in the 2012–13 NBB season, the same players almost fought in court, Arnaldinho accused Shilton as a dirty player and just know to beat, while Shilton accused Arnaldinho of engaging their children in history. Controversy aside, this was the most balanced game between the two teams in the history of the NBB, with a victory to Flamengo in the second overtime by 107-103.

Considering only the 4 valid games in NBB, in retrospect Flamengo takes advantage with 4 wins against no win of Tijuca.

Franca vs. Bauru

Franca is the greatest rival of Bauru since the team from Bauru was created, in 1996. Since the resumption of basketball in Bauru, in 2007, there were 30 games between the two teams, with great advantage of Franca, despite they never had met in the playoffs in NBB. But they played the playoffs in the state championship two times, in 2008 and 2010, with two wins of Franca. The rivalry even extrapolates this association and gets historical contours . Franca was the team that Bauru won the only title in the state championship, in 1999. The rematch came the following year, with the victory of a young team of Franca that was passing a makeover.

Considering only the 10 valid games in NBB, in retrospect both teams are tied with 5 wins to each.

Bauru vs. São José

Bauru and São José have a rivalry that has come from the state championship, which Bauru got the better of São José for a few years until Fúlvio de Assis and Murilo Becker reach São José dos Campos to strengthen the team of the Paraíba Valley. With the arrival of these two players, São José became other team, respected by the all others. They eliminated Bauru in the semifinal series in the Sate Championship two consecutive years. In the 2012 State Championship, São José eliminated Bauru after five games. The last game was in Bauru, with a victory in the last seconds.

In the 2012–13 NBB season, which also happened in Ginásio Panela de Pressão, Bauru played driven by a sense of revenge, in a match marked by the individual duel between the guards Larry Taylor also known as The Alien, and Fúlvio de Assis. Bauru won that spetacular game by 87-82. Larry Taylor made 25 poitns, toke 11 rebounds and distributed five assists, while Fúlvio made 19 poitns, toke 7 rebounds and distributed five assists. That victory reached Bauru to the fourth place in the championship.

Considering only the 10 valid games in NBB, in retrospect Bauru takes advantage with 8 wins against 2 wins of São José.