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Phoenix Suns 2013-14 Player Grades: Leandro Barbosa

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 8, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Leandro Barbosa (10) reacts during the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors at US Airways Center. The Suns won 122-109. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Leandro Barbosa (10) reacts during the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors at US Airways Center. The Suns won 122-109. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /
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Strengths:

Leandro Barbosa
Feb 5, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Phoenix Suns shooting guard Leandro Barbosa (10) shoots the ball past Houston Rockets power forward Terrence Jones (6) during the first half at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Barbosa may have the defensive presence of a Walmart greeter, but the Suns didn’t bring him in to lock down opposing guards; the Brazilian Blur was brought back

as a feel-good publicity stunt

to bolster a backcourt with scoring since Bledsoe was injured. He could’ve been more efficient with his shot, but Barbosa put up 7.5 points in just 18.4 minutes per game and after looking rusty for his first few games back, he started to find his offensive rhythm and became a more consistent contributor.

Once Barbosa shook off the cobwebs, Phoenix was treated to the same kind of lovably reckless offense that made Barbosa a fan favorite with the “Run-And-Gun Suns.” Though he’s not as dynamic off the dribble as he once was, Barbosa’s speed attacking the basket was still something to behold and he was on par with the league average on converting shots at the rim, making 54 percent of such attempts, per NBA.com. If Barbosa were to re-sign with the Suns, he’d have a lot more time to develop his shot and get back in a more consistent rhythm of finishing at the basket in the same exciting way Phoenix fans are used to seeing.

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