Here’s part 2 of our interview with Bruno Baltazar, an impressive eighteen-year old scout working for many international pro basketball teams. Make sure you read Part 1 if you haven’t already.
DB: What skills does it take to do your job? What work does it require to do well?
Bruno: To do this job, you need to see the game at a entire level. Most people, when see a game, they have their eyes on the ball. I must have my eyes on every player, analyze how they play on the floor, and not just the player with the ball. Plus, to be a scout you need to speak and meet as many new people you can. As much information doesn’t go public, it’s nice when someone calls you giving you inside information about this or that player. In some countries the media don’t take a close look, you need to improve and innovate the way of scouting. Personally, I use newer technologies such as scouting programs on my PDA and laptop.
Personally, during the time prior a game or when I’m at the hotel, I don’t visit the cities. I stay at the hotel watching DVDs and highlights of teams and things like that. The more games and players we analyze, the better job we do. That’s why I watch over then 3000 games a season. I don’t sleep much, but breathe and eat basketball, scout all of the competition I can, and not focus on just one thing as surprises always happen.
I consider myself to be the only person working for European teams as a advance scout. Each NBA team has one, where prior to your team facing X team, we have to scout the opponent and give inside information about them. Personally, I think the NBA has been able to improve more and more with technology, as it’s a high money sport. Wins mean more money, and they should sign people who can read what the coaches say during timeouts, things like that. An advance scout is between the people during the games trying to pass the best information he can to his coach. The best scout is the scout that gives the best and detailed info to the coach.
Also, if you want to be a scout, you better be ready for the logistics, such as visas, passports, and booking hotels. We don’t just scout, but do the best we can to be productive.
DB: When did you start working?
Bruno: I started to watch basketball at a very young age, as early as I remember, studying the game. I used to play, but I decided to move on to scouting as I knew I wouldn’t ever compete in the NBA. I got the chance to meet the right people in Portugal, and I’ve scouted since 2003 — since I was 14 years old!
At first thought, I was skeptical to interview somebody who contacted me to set something up. After all, if they need to advertise themselves, they wouldn’t be a good choice, right?
However, when Bruno Baltazar sent me an offer, I definitely had to look into it. Baltazar definitely has a unique resume. He’s only 18 years old, which most certainly makes him one of the youngest in the sports management business.
While I was at first doubtful about his resume, there’s evidence of his work. Baltazar writes for the Portugal EuroBasket site and a Portuguese basketball site, BasketMe.com.
This interview is split into three parts. Part 2 on Tuesday, Part 3 on Wednesday. Today Bruno and I discuss some of his own personal background, as well as players, coaches, and teams he as worked with. Parts 2 and 3 cover the lifestyle of scouting, his philosophies on scouting and coaching, as well some international players you’ll be hearing about in the future.
DB: Okay, Bruno, tell me a bit about yourself. Where are you from? What are some interesting things about you?
Bruno Baltazar: I’m from Portugal, a little country in Europe where not many people follow basketball. Not many people know exactly where this country is, even though the national team achieved the 9th place in the last European in Spain (they beat Andris Biedrins‘ Latvian team and Israel, got eliminated against Greece).
I’m just 18 years old of age, being the youngest scout, coach and team director in the world right now. At the personal level, I’m married to a American lady named Lia — so you might say I do everything at a young age. I lived in Africa (Mozambique), USA (Philadelphia), England, France and Spain. I speak English, Spanish, Portuguese and French — a thing I consider important in a global sport. I also represented as a agent Mike Smith in Mexico, and I’m director of two football teams in Portugal due my experience in organization, write as a reporter for international sports web sites.
DB: Tell me about your experience. What are your primary responsibilities? Who do you work with now, and who have you worked with in the past? Read the rest of this entry »
This post was written as part of Unsung Player Day, hosted at With Malice.
Four years ago, one of the top NBA players of all time, Karl Malone, left his legacy with the Utah Jazz to pursue an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers. Without Stockton and Malone, the Jazz were left without any franchise players.
After a couple seasons of mediocrity, the Jazz “stole” Carlos Boozer from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Along with one of the top points guards in the NBA, Deron Williams, the Jazz have returned to the top of the Western Conference. No, Boozer is not our Unsung Player — all he did was put our under-appreciated player on the bench.
For many up-and-coming NCAA players, one season is enough to earn them a spot in the first round, or even the lottery. For Paul Millsap, however, not even three consecutive years leading the NCAA in rebounding was enough to earn him a guaranteed contract in the first round. The Jazz drafted Paul Millsap with the #47 pick, ignoring doubts that Millsap’s talent wouldn’t carry over to the NBA. Fast forward to this season. Although his averages have improved only slightly in his sophomore season, teams are now aware that Millsap will grab every rebound and block every shot that’s in front of him.
Barring any surprising injury, Millsap will have played all 82 games this season. Yet to miss a game for the Jazz, Millsap is more reliable than the delivery of the newspaper, mail, death, or taxes. Millsap could start for many teams in the NBA, yet Millsap must shift between small forward, power forward, and center to play behind a talented Jazz frontcourt. After a rookie season where he surprised many teams with his intense play, teams now play extremely physical with him.
Why is Paul Millsap an one of the top Unsung Players in the NBA? His consistent, physical play as a key role player for a championship contender earns him some much deserved credit. Take a moment to enjoy the underappreciated talent of Paul Millsap.
Also, if you want to be a scout, you better be ready for the logistics, such as visas, passports, and booking hotels. We don’t just scout, but do the best we can to be productive.
