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Suns.com: Barbosa Took Advantage of Rare Opportunity
By Steven Koek, Suns.com
Posted: May 5, 2004
One of the many byproducts of the Suns’ January trade with the Knicks was the insertion of Leandro Barbosa into the starting lineup. The Brazilian point guard scored a career-high 27 points at Chicago on Jan. 5, a Suns record for a rookie in his first NBA start, and spent the second half of the season taking advantage of a rare opportunity to start and record consistent quality minutes.
Through some nagging injuries and an expected dose of first-year mistakes, Barbosa finished 2003-04 with averages of 7.9 points and 2.4 assists a game, and placed him in the top 10 of every major rookie statistical category.
“My first time here, I think I’m not going to play,” he said without the aid of his season-long interpreter, Michael Fernandes. “It’s a surprise for me because I play a lot and I’m very happy. My family is very happy.”
Beginning the season under the tutelage of Stephon Marbury, Barbosa was stunned when his mentor and friend was dealt to New York in the dramatic eight-player deal just after the New Year.
“The word ‘trade.’ I don’t like this word,” the 23-year-old said when asked of the biggest surprise his first year in the Valley. “When I heard this word, I feel really sad. I never thought this might happen. This was a very big surprise for me. (Marbury) taught me a lot of things. I don’t know how to explain for you, but he taught me a lot. Now I can put what he teach me on the court and then I feel good with this.”
Barbosa spent the rest of the season taking advantage of the rare opportunity to get some quality minutes and gain invaluable experience while learning the NBA at arguably the game’s toughest position to master.
“He’s been a great point guard for us,” said Joe Johnson, who teamed with Barbosa to form the youngest starting backcourt in the league. “He brought a lot of energy, getting guys involved into the offense. You can’t ask for too much better than what he’s done.
“I think Leandro made pretty good strides this year,” added forward Amaré Stoudemire. “Being a point guard is not the easiest job, especially in this league when you’ve got All-Star point guards coming up playing against you every night. He’s done a good job of taking care of his business on and off the court.”
Acquired in a draft day trade after San Antonio selected him with the last pick in the first round (28th overall), Barbosa was appreciative of the opportunity afforded him his rookie season. Despite the Suns’ disappointing record, he is satisfied with his progress while realizing there is a lot to learn.
“I feel very happy,” he said. “I’m sad because we (did not) go to the playoffs. But I think it’s happening next year. I hope this happens. I want everybody to keep working hard and everything’s good next year.
“Coach Mike (D’Antoni) give a lot of minutes to me and Coach (Tim Grgurich)teach me a lot of things I think I need. I learn a lot of things and then I can make the guys play, and I feel very comfortable.”
Upon his return from a brief trip to visit family and friends in Brazil, the 6-3 playmaker will spend the majority of the summer in Phoenix working with the coaching staff on every facet of his game, as well as expanding his ever-improving mastery of the English language.
“It’s been a little bit tough,” he said of learning a new language, “but I think next year is going to be better. I’m going to school to learn more English. I need to be talking more with the guys and I need to understand more. For this happening, I can stay more comfortable and it’s going to be (easier) for me.”
Barbosa will return to Brazil later this summer to take part in “Basketball without Borders,” a community outreach program which incorporates educational seminars addressing important social issues such as HIV/AIDS prevention and education for young players from over 20 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean.
“I’m very happy it is in my country,” Barbosa said. “The kids can learn and they can teach about dreams to come to the NBA, too. I think this is very good for the kids.”
After living out his own dream of playing in the NBA, “Starbosa” is looking forward to building on the experience to form the foundation for a long career.
“I just go work and work (in the offseason), and lift weights because I’m skinny,” he said. “I’m going to work every day for this to happen next year and next year, and next year...”
By Steven Koek, Suns.com
Posted: May 5, 2004
One of the many byproducts of the Suns’ January trade with the Knicks was the insertion of Leandro Barbosa into the starting lineup. The Brazilian point guard scored a career-high 27 points at Chicago on Jan. 5, a Suns record for a rookie in his first NBA start, and spent the second half of the season taking advantage of a rare opportunity to start and record consistent quality minutes.
Through some nagging injuries and an expected dose of first-year mistakes, Barbosa finished 2003-04 with averages of 7.9 points and 2.4 assists a game, and placed him in the top 10 of every major rookie statistical category.
“My first time here, I think I’m not going to play,” he said without the aid of his season-long interpreter, Michael Fernandes. “It’s a surprise for me because I play a lot and I’m very happy. My family is very happy.”
Beginning the season under the tutelage of Stephon Marbury, Barbosa was stunned when his mentor and friend was dealt to New York in the dramatic eight-player deal just after the New Year.
“The word ‘trade.’ I don’t like this word,” the 23-year-old said when asked of the biggest surprise his first year in the Valley. “When I heard this word, I feel really sad. I never thought this might happen. This was a very big surprise for me. (Marbury) taught me a lot of things. I don’t know how to explain for you, but he taught me a lot. Now I can put what he teach me on the court and then I feel good with this.”
Barbosa spent the rest of the season taking advantage of the rare opportunity to get some quality minutes and gain invaluable experience while learning the NBA at arguably the game’s toughest position to master.
“He’s been a great point guard for us,” said Joe Johnson, who teamed with Barbosa to form the youngest starting backcourt in the league. “He brought a lot of energy, getting guys involved into the offense. You can’t ask for too much better than what he’s done.
“I think Leandro made pretty good strides this year,” added forward Amaré Stoudemire. “Being a point guard is not the easiest job, especially in this league when you’ve got All-Star point guards coming up playing against you every night. He’s done a good job of taking care of his business on and off the court.”
Acquired in a draft day trade after San Antonio selected him with the last pick in the first round (28th overall), Barbosa was appreciative of the opportunity afforded him his rookie season. Despite the Suns’ disappointing record, he is satisfied with his progress while realizing there is a lot to learn.
“I feel very happy,” he said. “I’m sad because we (did not) go to the playoffs. But I think it’s happening next year. I hope this happens. I want everybody to keep working hard and everything’s good next year.
“Coach Mike (D’Antoni) give a lot of minutes to me and Coach (Tim Grgurich)teach me a lot of things I think I need. I learn a lot of things and then I can make the guys play, and I feel very comfortable.”
Upon his return from a brief trip to visit family and friends in Brazil, the 6-3 playmaker will spend the majority of the summer in Phoenix working with the coaching staff on every facet of his game, as well as expanding his ever-improving mastery of the English language.
“It’s been a little bit tough,” he said of learning a new language, “but I think next year is going to be better. I’m going to school to learn more English. I need to be talking more with the guys and I need to understand more. For this happening, I can stay more comfortable and it’s going to be (easier) for me.”
Barbosa will return to Brazil later this summer to take part in “Basketball without Borders,” a community outreach program which incorporates educational seminars addressing important social issues such as HIV/AIDS prevention and education for young players from over 20 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean.
“I’m very happy it is in my country,” Barbosa said. “The kids can learn and they can teach about dreams to come to the NBA, too. I think this is very good for the kids.”
After living out his own dream of playing in the NBA, “Starbosa” is looking forward to building on the experience to form the foundation for a long career.
“I just go work and work (in the offseason), and lift weights because I’m skinny,” he said. “I’m going to work every day for this to happen next year and next year, and next year...”
