arthurracoon
The Cardinal Smiles
NY Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/06/sports/basketball/06afar.html?oref=login
Brazilian Guard Makes Good on Childhood Promise
When he was 4, Leandro Barbosa worked alongside his two older brothers in a supermarket in São Paulo, Brazil, to help his family get by.
The next year, he made a promise to his mother, Ivete. "We didn't have a good life when I was a kid," Barbosa recalled recently, "so I told her I'm going to bring the dollars for her."
At 22, Barbosa is in his second season as the Phoenix Suns' backup point guard, making $870,000 a season. "I worked very, very hard and this happened, and I help my whole family," he said before a recent game in Phoenix.
Barbosa grew up in a two-room house in São Paulo, the youngest of five children, and learned basketball from his brother Arturo, who is 21 years older and a sergeant in the Brazilian army.
Arturo worked with him in the rain and in back alleys. They dribbled, created shots and got into shape because Arturo saw Leandro's potential.
When Leandro made a mistake, he felt the pointed end of the three-foot stick Arturo raked over his hands.
"Leandro measured his success in missing the stick," said Dave Griffin, the Suns' assistant general manager. Griffin said the experience not only made Barbosa the player he is, but also "the human being he is."
Barbosa is appreciative to this day of Arturo's discipline and coaching.
"My brother taught me, and every day I asked for more teaching," said Barbosa, who never seems to be without a smile. "I love the game."
In drills, Arturo called out moves - like spins and behind-the-back dribbles - by number, like a quarterback. When Arturo visits Phoenix, Griffin said, the brothers run those plays in the gym.
This season with the Suns, Barbosa has begun to put together his innate athleticism and unbridled style. Burdened earlier by injuries and the expectations that come with playing behind Steve Nash, Barbosa is feeling more comfortable.
"He has finally gotten himself healthy," said Bryan Colangelo, the Suns' president. "Our coaches have been encouraging him to be confident out there, and he has responded well."
Barbosa started three games last week in place of the injured Nash, averaging 15.3 points and 3.6 assists as Phoenix went 2-1. In a victory over Detroit on Thursday, Barbosa was on the floor when the Suns came back from an 11-point deficit, enabling Nash to rest for nearly 10 minutes. Nash then hit the game-winning shot.
The Suns had pursued Gary Payton for his veteran leadership, but the Celtics re-signed him. The Suns, though, see hope in Barbosa's progress.
Barbosa is driven by pride, duty and the memory of home. His father, Vicente, a former boxer and hospital worker, died last November of cancer. As promised, Barbosa supports his family.
"I come from nothing," he said, "and I make something of myself."
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/06/sports/basketball/06afar.html?oref=login
Brazilian Guard Makes Good on Childhood Promise
When he was 4, Leandro Barbosa worked alongside his two older brothers in a supermarket in São Paulo, Brazil, to help his family get by.
The next year, he made a promise to his mother, Ivete. "We didn't have a good life when I was a kid," Barbosa recalled recently, "so I told her I'm going to bring the dollars for her."
At 22, Barbosa is in his second season as the Phoenix Suns' backup point guard, making $870,000 a season. "I worked very, very hard and this happened, and I help my whole family," he said before a recent game in Phoenix.
Barbosa grew up in a two-room house in São Paulo, the youngest of five children, and learned basketball from his brother Arturo, who is 21 years older and a sergeant in the Brazilian army.
Arturo worked with him in the rain and in back alleys. They dribbled, created shots and got into shape because Arturo saw Leandro's potential.
When Leandro made a mistake, he felt the pointed end of the three-foot stick Arturo raked over his hands.
"Leandro measured his success in missing the stick," said Dave Griffin, the Suns' assistant general manager. Griffin said the experience not only made Barbosa the player he is, but also "the human being he is."
Barbosa is appreciative to this day of Arturo's discipline and coaching.
"My brother taught me, and every day I asked for more teaching," said Barbosa, who never seems to be without a smile. "I love the game."
In drills, Arturo called out moves - like spins and behind-the-back dribbles - by number, like a quarterback. When Arturo visits Phoenix, Griffin said, the brothers run those plays in the gym.
This season with the Suns, Barbosa has begun to put together his innate athleticism and unbridled style. Burdened earlier by injuries and the expectations that come with playing behind Steve Nash, Barbosa is feeling more comfortable.
"He has finally gotten himself healthy," said Bryan Colangelo, the Suns' president. "Our coaches have been encouraging him to be confident out there, and he has responded well."
Barbosa started three games last week in place of the injured Nash, averaging 15.3 points and 3.6 assists as Phoenix went 2-1. In a victory over Detroit on Thursday, Barbosa was on the floor when the Suns came back from an 11-point deficit, enabling Nash to rest for nearly 10 minutes. Nash then hit the game-winning shot.
The Suns had pursued Gary Payton for his veteran leadership, but the Celtics re-signed him. The Suns, though, see hope in Barbosa's progress.
Barbosa is driven by pride, duty and the memory of home. His father, Vicente, a former boxer and hospital worker, died last November of cancer. As promised, Barbosa supports his family.
"I come from nothing," he said, "and I make something of myself."
