Phoenix Suns 2013-14 Player Grades: Leandro Barbosa

Overview:

With the Phoenix Suns’ season over, it’s time to take a fond look back on the 2013-14 season and examine how everyone performed. As the Suns became just the fourth team in NBA history to win 48 games and miss the playoffs, there’s plenty of optimism to be had for this young team’s future. So far we’ve covered Archie Goodwin‘s first NBA season, Shavlik Randolph‘s short stint with the Suns, Miles Plumlee‘s impressive potential and Ish Smith‘s job as a backup point guard. Today we take a look at Leandro Barbosa‘s limited time back in Phoenix.

Halfway through the season, the Suns signed former fan favorite Barbosa to a 10-day contact to add some depth to a backcourt that was sorely missing the injured Eric Bledsoe. Barbosa ended up signing two 10-day contracts with Phoenix before the Suns extended him for the rest of the season. The Brazilian Blur only played 20 games for the Suns because he fractured his hand at the beginning of March, but he showed signs of his old self that fans loved when he came off the bench for the Suns from 2003-10.

What the Suns choose to do with Barbosa now that his contract is up remains to be seen. Signing Barbosa was a happy moment during one of the darkest times of the season and although he’s nowhere near as effective as he used to be, Barbosa could potentially bolster Phoenix’s depth in the backcourt. But before we make any declarations on what his future should be, let’s take a look back on the Brazilian Blur’s return to the Valley of the Sun.