SirStefan32
Krycek, Alex Krycek
Instant offense off the bench. Which is quite different from being the backup "2" Guard or closing games.
Unfortunately, he's been used for more than that. Which is why he's criticized.
Your point is right on, SirStefan. But will the Suns, even Terry Porter, use him that way? If Leandro stays, I hope so.
The way I see it, they HAVE to use him that way. Richardson is going to pick up 35-40 minutes on SG position, Nash is apparently getting a veteran back up, that leaves Barbosa with 10 or so minutes to play. Even if you go small at the end, and put your 5 best players on the floor with Shaq out, you still end up with Nash, Richardson, Hill, Barnes, and Stoudemire.
I understand why he's been utilized as more than a gimmicky instant offense player before- depth just wasn't there- you had Bell, Barbosa and Nash on 1 and 2- that's it. Now you have an all-star shooting guard, and hopefully a veteran back up for Nash. If push comes to shove, you can play Barnes as a shooting guard too. There is no need for Barbosa to be anything more than an Earl Boykins type player now.