Barbosa to Come Off the Bench

[George O'Brien]

D'Antoni: I think we are pretty unique in the sense that we need a perimeter very good player and that could be a lot of guys. We could plug him in at different spots and we will get better. If it’s a real good perimeter (player), whether it’s a point guard or whether it’s a shooting guard, putting him there and maybe moving Joe (Johnson) over, and having Leandro (Barbosa) come off the bench – you never know how it’s going to work out – we will improve.

I guess we had always figured that Barbosa would not be the starting PG next season, but here is a confirmation.

Ray: Let’s talk about Leandro Barbosa, who kind of got thrown into the fire a little bit. After this deal (with New York), you guys flirted with the idea of bringing him off the bench. You decided to throw him out there and start him. Talk about his overall development and progress.

D’Antoni: He did a great job. His English is not the greatest and that’s one thins this summer we have on his list to do and get better. As a point guard, to be able to communicate and tell guys where to go, he has to do that. But without having a command of the English language and not really being a true point, and not ever playing defense in his whole life because in Brazil, I’m sure in that league he didn’t play defense, he was wonderful. He was the first to practice every day. He’s just a super kid, has a big heart. He takes knocks, he gets back up. Not many people know, but the last two months he had severe tendonitis below his kneecap. After every practice he would ice it down and he was in pain a lot, but you would never know it. I’m just really fortunate to be able to work with him and have a guy like him because he’s done everything to get better, and he will continue to do that. Whether he becomes a point guard or the staring point guard, or a guy that’s in the rotation, he will for a long time be an important part of this team. His development and as good as he gets, will mirror the success of the Suns a little bit.

 

[fordronken]

What, like if we signed Kobe, Joe Johnson would be benched?

 

[Ryanwb]

If they sign Kobe, they would be better off trading Marion....

 

[Evil Ash]

What, like if we signed Kobe, Joe Johnson would be benched?

My guess would be that JJ would shift over to PG.

So we'd have a starting lineup of...

PG - Joe Johnson
SG - Kobe Bryant
SF - Marion
PF - Amare
C - Little Jake/Lampe/draft pick

 

[Goldfield]

I like the Idea of Barbosa off the bench. He would be a good backup for both PG & SG.

He is fast, drains the 3's, and makes alot of steals. great backup IMO.

 

[slinslin]

Maybe they would trade Barbosa with Marion and JJ or the top7 pick for TMac.
They could then use the pick to draft a PG or have JJ starting at PG. Vujanic as the backup in either case.

 

[Joe Mama]

There are many many scenarios that would have Barbosa coming off the bench. It doesn't necessarily have to be that the Suns would acquire Kobe Bryant or Tracy McGrady or if you feel like dreaming, the two of them. In no particular order...

1. Vujanic comes over and beats Barbosa out for the starting point guard spot.

2. The Phoenix Suns draft somebody who beats out Barbosa like Devin Harris, Ben Gordon , or even a shooting guard like JR Smith (with JJ handling the ball).

3. The Phoenix Suns sign or trade for a veteran point guard.

4. The Phoenix Suns sign or trade for a veteran shooting guard.

Joe Mama