Barbosa on Banks

[George O'Brien]

http://www.nba.com/suns/news/barbosaqa_060804.html

Suns.com: What do you know about Marcus Banks and what are your thoughts about him joining the roster?

Barbosa: What I know about him is that he’s a really strong player and fast. He’s a really good defender. I remember when I played against him it was really hard for me to catch him. I’m very happy to have an opportunity to play with him. Hopefully, we’re going to do a great job together.

 

[Louis]

They are gonna be scary fast in the backcourt together.

A problem with the pairing though...

1 - Size: Both are relatively "small" and if paired together defending the bigger SGs of the NBA will be tough (TMac, Kobe, Ray Allen)

Barbosa though is a sponge it seems when it comes to the game and hopefully he can see that at his size it's possible to be a good defender as Banks' defense is his strength.

Barbosa has all the tools to be a solid defender, other than his size. With his arm length and speed, he should be a leader in steals.

 

[Nash]

wow, imagine Barbosa , Banks and Marion on the floor together! they'd scorch the floor in the fast breaks. probably the fastest trio on any team in the league.

 

[JCSunsfan]

They would be a fanstastic combo when you want to turn up the tempo. It would be very hard for teams to slow the game down.

 

[George O'Brien]

They would be a fanstastic combo when you want to turn up the tempo. It would be very hard for teams to slow the game down.

Put Marion at PF and Bell at SF along with Amare or Boris, and the the speed would be extraordinary.

Leandro's role in such a team would be crucial because this team would be capable of pressing all over the court. Slow teams with poor ball handling skills should be concerned.

 

[Errntknght]

If Barbosa is a sponge someone forget to take the cellophane wrapper off. I've never seen anyone learn slower than he does, particularly on defense. In fact, the more he plays the more other teams learn how to pick on him - and it showed up this year when he had a coach dedicated to teaching him.

The biggest improvement in his offensive game came from the move to SG where he doesn't have to cope with the pressure of trying to run the offense. He did that better before Nash came, which is to say before the offense became so dedicated to the P&R - which he still cannot run at all.

 

[George O'Brien]

If Barbosa is a sponge someone forget to take the cellophane wrapper off. I've never seen anyone learn slower than he does, particularly on defense. In fact, the more he plays the more other teams learn how to pick on him - and it showed up this year when he had a coach dedicated to teaching him.

The biggest improvement in his offensive game came from the move to SG where he doesn't have to cope with the pressure of trying to run the offense. He did that better before Nash came, which is to say before the offense became so dedicated to the P&R - which he still cannot run at all.

How well would you learn basketball if it was taugh to you in Portaguese?

From what I can tell, Leandro's problems come from trying to go for steals rather than just maintaining position. It takes a while to get guys to learn footwork, but I think Marion has shown it can be taught.

IMHO, the problem of Leandro getting posted up is strictly a function of not having big inside guys backing him up. It did not seem to be a big problem before KT was injured. He needs to get stronger, but having KT and Amare back will be even more important.

 

[Louis]

What about the defensive possibility in the waning moments?

Banks
Bell
Marion
Diaw
KT

 

[Errntknght]

I think that would be my first choice, too. Now, anyway.

 

[JCSunsfan]

How well would you learn basketball if it was taugh to you in Portaguese?

From what I can tell, Leandro's problems come from trying to go for steals rather than just maintaining position. It takes a while to get guys to learn footwork, but I think Marion has shown it can be taught.

IMHO, the problem of Leandro getting posted up is strictly a function of not having big inside guys backing him up. It did not seem to be a big problem before KT was injured. He needs to get stronger, but having KT and Amare back will be even more important.

I'm sorry, the language barrier excuse just doesn't hold water now. Barbosa is one of the most gifted athletes on the planet, and he knows it. He focuses on his athleticism to make plays on both ends, to the neglect of the more heady aspects of the game.

The mental aspect of Barbosa's game is slow developing. It just can be denied. But he is still young, and its not too late. He much more natural as 2--doesn't have to think about it as much.

 

[Joe Mama]

If Barbosa is a sponge someone forget to take the cellophane wrapper off. I've never seen anyone learn slower than he does, particularly on defense. In fact, the more he plays the more other teams learn how to pick on him - and it showed up this year when he had a coach dedicated to teaching him.

The biggest improvement in his offensive game came from the move to SG where he doesn't have to cope with the pressure of trying to run the offense. He did that better before Nash came, which is to say before the offense became so dedicated to the P&R - which he still cannot run at all.

I wouldn't say he's the slowest learner in the game, but I do sometimes wonder where people get the idea that he is "a sponge". Like you said, his improvements last season are almost completely due to the position change rather than some sort of improvement in his game.

Joe Mama

 

[nowagimp]

I wouldn't say he's the slowest learner in the game, but I do sometimes wonder where people get the idea that he is "a sponge". Like you said, his improvements last season are almost completely due to the position change rather than some sort of improvement in his game.

Joe Mama

Sometimes I think we need to remember that PG is the hardest position to play in the NBA. And the PG of the phoenix suns is harder than most. Every once in a while, a chris paul slips out, but most point guards take 3-4 years playing meaningful minutes to even learn the position. Leo has a classic 2 guard mentality, breakdown his man for the shot, and it will be difficult for him to learn the point at all. Guys like that are all over the NBA playing point guard badly. I guess what I'm saying is that leo may not be all that different from other 2's playing the point, just a language barrier and experience away from some of those guys. How many point guards in the NBA can play the pick and roll well against a prepared defense? Ridinour, Paul, Parker, Billups, Cassel ??? Not Jason Terry or devin harris, thats for sure. One of the keys for both Banks and Leo will be keeping the dribble on the penetration when the defense limits available options. It has been very difficult for leo, hopefully banks will be better at it. The focus of every defense against the phoenix suns is to stop the PG in the penetration and limit the good 3pt shooters, make the offense use alot of clock. Other PG's who have a KG or a Nowitski, or a Brand dont see nearly as much pressure. Most other PG's have a go-to guy to bail them out as the clock winds down, but not the suns. Other defenses actualluy try to force the suns PG to shoot as the clock winds down by cutting off the passing lanes and "zoning" the point.

 

[JS22]

Sometimes I think we need to remember that PG is the hardest position to play in the NBA. And the PG of the phoenix suns is harder than most. Every once in a while, a chris paul slips out, but most point guards take 3-4 years playing meaningful minutes to even learn the position. Leo has a classic 2 guard mentality, breakdown his man for the shot, and it will be difficult for him to learn the point at all. Guys like that are all over the NBA playing point guard badly. I guess what I'm saying is that leo may not be all that different from other 2's playing the point, just a language barrier and experience away from some of those guys. How many point guards in the NBA can play the pick and roll well against a prepared defense? Ridinour, Paul, Parker, Billups, Cassel ??? Not Jason Terry or devin harris, thats for sure. One of the keys for both Banks and Leo will be keeping the dribble on the penetration when the defense limits available options. It has been very difficult for leo, hopefully banks will be better at it. The focus of every defense against the phoenix suns is to stop the PG in the penetration and limit the good 3pt shooters, make the offense use alot of clock. Other PG's who have a KG or a Nowitski, or a Brand dont see nearly as much pressure. Most other PG's have a go-to guy to bail them out as the clock winds down, but not the suns. Other defenses actualluy try to force the suns PG to shoot as the clock winds down by cutting off the passing lanes and "zoning" the point.

Great post. Agree with you 100%.

 

[F-Dog]

Banks is built like Lindsay Hunter, and like Hunter, he should be able to bother SGs, even when they're trying to post up. Obviously, it would be nice if the Suns could keep him on the opposing PG instead, so he can use his ball-hawking skills.



I don't think Barbosa has the mentality to be an excellent defender. He's too passive on that end, always trying to read and react rather than challenge his man.

Still, the main thing that separates Barbosa from adequately handling SGs is about 15 lbs. of muscle. Maybe now that he knows his future is as a combo guard off the bench, Barbosa will focus on developing some thickness to go with his quickness.

 

[haverford]

Banks is built like Lindsay Hunter, and like Hunter, he should be able to bother SGs, even when they're trying to post up. Obviously, it would be nice if the Suns could keep him on the opposing PG instead, so he can use his ball-hawking skills.



I don't think Barbosa has the mentality to be an excellent defender. He's too passive on that end, always trying to read and react rather than challenge his man.

Still, the main thing that separates Barbosa from adequately handling SGs is about 15 lbs. of muscle. Maybe now that he knows his future is as a combo guard off the bench, Barbosa will focus on developing some thickness to go with his quickness.

The extra muscle would be good, but according to several players (can't remember who exactly at the moment), Barbosa is already one of the most deceptively strong players in the league.....

 

[Errntknght]

Sometimes I think we need to remember that PG is the hardest position to play in the NBA. And the PG of the phoenix suns is harder than most.

I aluded to that very thing with my statement that Barbs did better as a PG before the Suns went to a P&R offense. In fact, I've said several times this summer that if the Suns changed their primary offensive focus to the high post next year, Leo would probably be fine as a PG.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Sometimes I think we need to remember that PG is the hardest position to play in the NBA. And the PG of the phoenix suns is harder than most.

I aluded to that very thing with my statement that Barbs did better as a PG before the Suns went to a P&R offense. In fact, I've said several times this summer that if the Suns changed their primary offensive focus to the high post next year, Leo would probably be fine as a PG.

Which seems like a logical thing to do, especially if we can keep Diaw in our long term plans.

Barbosa needs to become a smarter defender though. He needs to be able to defend most all 2's and he doesn't have the smarts for it yet. He also needs to be a better distributor on the break.

Barb's main problem is one of the most basic in basketball. He dribbles with his head down, and as a result he severely limits his court vision.

 

[nowagimp]

Sometimes I think we need to remember that PG is the hardest position to play in the NBA. And the PG of the phoenix suns is harder than most.

I aluded to that very thing with my statement that Barbs did better as a PG before the Suns went to a P&R offense. In fact, I've said several times this summer that if the Suns changed their primary offensive focus to the high post next year, Leo would probably be fine as a PG.

Leo will still have the problem of not having a go to guy to bail him out as the clock winds down. Unless ... Amare ...