There are better odds of Nuggets forward-center Nene watching the Blue Man Group in Las Vegas next summer than wearing a Brazil jersey.
Nene said Tuesday he doesn’t plan to play for the Brazilian national basketball team in the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship, an Olympic qualifying tournament in Las Vegas. Nene, a native of Sao Carlos, Brazil, was first widely recognized while playing for Brazil in the 2001 Goodwill Games. But since then, Nene hasn’t seen eye to eye with the Brazilian national team officials and is disappointed that the organization doesn’t pay its players and have insurance.
“No way,” Nene said. “I don’t know. Right now, there are so many bad things over there. I’m a professional. They say you need to love your country. I love my country, but not (the national team).
“If I play over there, who is going to pay me? Who is going to take care of me? No insurance. Nobody pays. All the things is not right there. Nothing is right now.”
Footnotes
Nuggets forward and Mexico native Eduardo Najera said former Utah Utes coach Rick Majerus is considering coaching the Mexican national team in Las Vegas. … Nene was on the Nuggets’ inactive list turned into the NBA on Tuesday. But Nene will be activated for Thursday’s season opener in Los Angeles against the Clippers. Julius Hodge, Jamal Sampson and another player are expected to be on Denver’s inactive list for the game. … Although feeling some pain, veteran forward Kenyon Martin practiced Tuesday and shot with a bandage on his right hand because of a lacerated finger. He expects to have the stitches taken out before playing in the Nuggets’ opener. … Coach George Karl says the Nuggets could win 21 or 22 road games and 30 home games this season.
