ASFN: Barbosa A Key To The Suns Recent Success

[George O'Brien]

ASFN: Barbosa A Key To The Suns Recent Success

 

[PhxGametime]

Another good article

 

[BC867]

Very good article. I'm curious if you all think that he has the potential to dish out 8-10 assists per game.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by BC867
Very good article. I'm curious if you all think that he has the potential to dish out 8-10 assists per game.

I think he should be able to get to maybe 6-8 range, but I'm not sure. Lately the combination of both Barbosa and Eisley is only doing 5 or 6 between them with JJ often getting more assists than the both of them.

Leandro is still learning how to be more of a pure point guard. Right now he brings the ball up court, but JJ tends to initiate the offense and Barbosa is used as an outside shooter. I think that will change over time, but it is working right now.

Another thing about assists, right now Eisley is more inclined to drive the basket off the half court set. This means is in a position to get kick out pass assists. I think Leandro will develop that part of his game as he learns to beat guys off the dribble, but it does not look like they are asking him to do that. Also, as his teammate see how he attacks the basket on the break, I expect Leandro to get more assists there as well.

In any case, Leandro is playing much better at this point than I expected when they drafted. I expected he would be project who might get a few minutes when they needed someone to make steals. Considering that he played in a "beer league" in Brazil last year, had to learn English, and had to learn how to play in NBA -- I would say his development is almost as remarkable as what Amare went through a year ago.

The best is yet to come.