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**Arclite** · 01-01-2004, 05:27 PM

Barbosa making Suns smile, on and off court

Quote:

The 21-year-old from Brazil has become the Suns’ in-house comedian, though it’s not clear how much he’s purposely auditioned for the role.

Barbosa also is a master at imitating Suns players, his teammates say.

For example, after Scott Williams stumbled walking onto the court in the third quarter of a recent home game, Barbosa "recreated the entire scene" at the next morning’s practice. "He had all 12 guys dying with laughter," Williams said.

Then too, "His English is perfect for making jokes, because he doesn’t say things exactly right," D’Antoni said.

If he has the ability to make the Suns laugh, D’Antoni is hoping he can make opponents cry.

Barbosa is the team’s most proficient player at coming up with steals (5.3 per 48 minutes), and he’s a dangerous perimeter shooter on a club that has a crying need for a long-range threat.

I am really starting to like Leandro a lot. His role might be limited in the future with us because of Steph, but I think he's the kind of roleplayer you love to have. We haven't seen much of him, but he doesn't seem like a distributor at all.. more of a high-energy Bobby Jackson type, a perfect lift off the bench..

I can't find them now, but I remember looking at his stats for Baura Tibila or whatever team it was he played for before we drafted him, and I couldn't believe his numbers.. he was getting 30 points a game on 60% shooting.. For a while I thought it was a mistake to give up a future first for him, but seeing as the pick won't be this year, it might pay dividends for us..

MagnusPinus · 01-01-2004, 05:39 PM

Interesting player.. a good project in the years to come... and I'm impressed with his arms... they are so long... anyone knows his wingspan?? I'm curious..

1 Penny · 01-01-2004, 05:56 PM

Good stuff.

Barbosa can develop into a really good backup.

Anyone notice how many players that played backup point guard at some point in Phoenix ends up being an all-star or all-star calbre players??

Steve Nash, played behind Kevin Johnson and Jason Kidd
Sam Cassel, played along with KJ
Elliot Perry, was a very good backup till he got traded out of phoenix.

Jason Kidd, played along with KJ, after his stint with Suns, he became MVP candidate straight away.

Suns have good record with point guards... hopefully Barbosa ends up similar to Darrell Armstrong... energizer and proficient player... either backup or starter.

**Arclite** · 01-01-2004, 06:18 PM

Yeah, hard to believe we had KJ, Cassell, Nash, and then KJ, Kidd and Nash on the roster all at the same time..

Phoenix historically is by far the best drafting team in the NBA. I mean when you look at who the team has gotten and where they've gotten them.. Amare and Shawn at 9, Finley at 21, Nash at 16 (15?), Thunder Dan at 14, Jayson Williams, Larry Nance, the other Big O, Wes Person, and now Zarko and Leandro.. all those guys we got late in the first round.. plus our pick in the 99 draft that Chicago got (#16) ended up being Ron Artest.. no team can touch our draft history, really..

Amareca · 01-01-2004, 08:42 PM

Barbosa's defense is extremely good.

I have never seen a rookie play that good defense. And he is probably the fastest, quickest player that I have even seen as well.

I mean once he gets a steal he is gone.

**Arclite** · 01-01-2004, 09:56 PM

Yeah, averaging 5 steals per 48 is nuts.. he's first in the NBA in that category. We also may have the two weirdest looking shots in the NBA on our team.. Leandro's is almost as strange as Shawn's. I don't think either is ugly as Desmond Mason's or Juwan Howard's, but they're still odd. Barbosa's style in general is just different, but effective nonetheless. He does look like he could be a track star.

MLKG · 01-01-2004, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BigAmare!
Barbosa's defense is extremely good.

I have never seen a rookie play that good defense. And he is probably the fastest, quickest player that I have even seen as well.

I mean once he gets a steal he is gone.

Ok Bill Walton.

But seriously, I liked him a lot before the draft. I think he has like a 6'11" wingspan and he can jump out of the building. Probably will never be a great offensive player with that ridiculous shot of his, but a quality defender none-the-less.

**ballafromthenorth** · 01-01-2004, 11:36 PM

RoddneyThaRippa · 01-01-2004, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BigAmare!
And he is probably the fastest, quickest player that I have even seen as well.

Ah, obviously you haven't seen Philadelphia play. They don't get much national airtime so I understand. Anyway, if you get the chance, check out this guy named Allen Iverson. I'd say he'd give Barbosa a run for his money...

~~In all seriousness, you make my stomach turn.~~

Keep your digestive repinings to yourself, please. Thanks

.

**RebelSun** · 01-02-2004, 09:22 AM

He is an amazing athlete and is a very long PG. I liked Bryan's gutsy move to trade a future 1st rounder for him. I think he will be a great NBA point.

Amareca · 01-02-2004, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RoddneyThaRippa!

Ah, obviously you haven't seen Philadelphia play. They don't get much national airtime so I understand. Anyway, if you get the chance, check out this guy named Allen Iverson. I'd say he'd give Barbosa a run for his money...

~~In all seriousness, you make my stomach turn.~~

Keep your digestive repinings to yourself, please. Thanks

.

Why would I watch Philly? Iverson isn't faster than our own Stephon Marbury and I'd say that Barbosa is easily faster than Steph.

I doubt you have seen Barbosa at all unless against your own team. He isn't playing that much right now anyway.

**RebelSun** · 01-02-2004, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BigAmare!
Why would I watch Philly? Iverson isn't faster than our own Stephon Marbury and I'd say that Barbosa is easily faster than Steph.

I doubt you have seen Barbosa at all unless against your own team. He isn't playing that much right now anyway.

I don't know if Marbury is faster, but he is definitely more explosive. Barbosa is a freak w/ his size, length, and speed.

bballer27 · 01-02-2004, 12:44 PM

thats a good thing that barbosa is having fun with his teamates

Starbury03 · 01-02-2004, 01:27 PM

Boykins is the fastest in the league. He has to be.

**Marcus13** · 01-05-2004, 11:58 AM

I really like Barbosa a lot, I was hoping the Sonics would draft him at #14, but that didnt happen-oh well

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