Leandro Mateus Barbosa (Portuguese pronunciation:[leˈɐ̃dɾubaʁˈbozɐ]; born November 28, 1982),[1] also known as Leandrinho Barbosa, is a Brazilian former professional basketball player who is an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA).[2] He also represented the senior Brazilian national basketball team. Barbosa previously won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award, with the Suns in 2007, and an NBA championship with Golden State in 2015. In Brazil, he is also commonly known by his nickname "Leandrinho" ("Little Leandro") Barbosa,[3] and in the United States, Barbosa was nicknamed "The Brazilian Blur", referring to his playing speed.[4] At a height of 1.92 m (6' 33⁄4") tall,[5] Barbosa played at the shooting guard position.
At the age of 19, while playing in the regional São Paulo State Championship with Palmeiras, Barbosa averaged 14.2 points per game. After that, he was traded to the Brazilian club Bauru, in January 2001.[6]
During his first season as a professional in Brazil, while playing with Tilibra/Bauru, Barbosa was coached by Jorge "Guerrinha" Guerra. He averaged 15.8 points, 6.4 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Barbosa was named the São Paulo State Championship's 2001 Rookie of the Year.[7] He ended the season as the regional competition's fourth-ranked player in three-point field goal percentage, sixth in assists, and eleventh in field goals.[6] In 2002, Barbosa won Brazil's top-tier level league, the Brazilian Championship, as a member of Bauru. He was also selected to the senior Brazilian national team, and Barbosa played at the 2002 FIBA World Championship.[8]
Professional career
Barbosa shoots the ball during a game against the Golden State Warriors in March 2009
Phoenix Suns (2003–2010)
At 6'3" with a 6'10" wingspan, Barbosa was selected 28th overall in the 2003 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs, but his rights were acquired by the Suns in a trade for a future protected first-round draft pick.
Barbosa holds the Suns record for points scored in a game by a rookie as a first-time starter, with 27 against the Chicago Bulls on January 5, 2004.[9] He set the Suns' record for three-point field goals by a rookie in consecutive games when he hit at least one three-pointer per game during a 10-game streak from January 2 to 19.[9]
During the 2006–2007 season, Barbosa averaged 18.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 32.7 minutes per game despite playing off the bench.[10] He was also the recipient of the 2006–07NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award.[4]
Barbosa scored a career-high of 41 points in a 140–118 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 20, 2009. He also had seven rebounds, seven assists, and six steals.
On August 18, 2011, Barbosa signed with Flamengo Basketball of Brazil for the duration of the 2011 NBA lockout. His deal had an out-clause that would allow him to return to the NBA once the lockout ended.[12] With the lockout concluding in December 2011, Barbosa returned to the Raptors.
Indiana Pacers (2012)
On March 15, 2012, Barbosa was traded to the Indiana Pacers for a future second-round pick.[13] With the help of Barbosa, Indiana improved significantly enough to make it to the second round of the playoffs before losing to the Miami Heat.
On February 12, 2013, after a game against the Charlotte Bobcats on February 11, it was confirmed that Barbosa tore his ACL, prematurely ending his season.[15] Barbosa was the third member of the team whose injury ended his season early in a span of three weeks, joining Rajon Rondo and Jared Sullinger.[citation needed]
Washington Wizards (2013)
On February 21, 2013, Barbosa and Jason Collins were traded to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Jordan Crawford.[16] Despite being on the team during that time, he'd never play for the Wizards in the process.
Esporte Clube Pinheiros (2013–2014)
On November 19, 2013, Barbosa signed with the Esporte Clube Pinheiros of Brazil for the 2013–14 season. During this time, he averaged over 20 points, three rebounds, and three assists for the team. In January 2014, Barbosa returned to the United States to play in the NBA once again.[17]
Return to Phoenix (2014)
On January 8, 2014, Barbosa signed a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns.[18] He would immediately play for the Suns in their narrow 104–103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Barbosa would have his best night during the first 10-day contract on January 13 against the New York Knicks when he scored 21 points, marking his first 20+ point game since 2012, back when he played for Boston. However, Barbosa would have a right shoulder strain after the game.
On January 18, Barbosa signed a second 10-day contract with the Suns.[19] He made his first home debut with the Suns in over four years the next day in a 117–103 victory over the Denver Nuggets. During his second 10-day contract, Barbosa's best performance came on January 24 at home against the Washington Wizards, where he scored 10 points against them.
On January 28, 2014, following the Suns' road game against the Philadelphia 76ers, which subsequently marked the end of his second 10-day contract, the Suns liked Barbosa's production for the team and they decided to sign him for the rest of the 2013–14 NBA season.[20] On March 4, in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at home, Barbosa fractured his right hand, and as a result, he missed the rest of the season.
Golden State Warriors (2014–2016)
Barbosa in 2015
On September 10, 2014, Barbosa signed with the Golden State Warriors following his great performance at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.[21] On December 30, Barbosa scored a season-high 17 points in a 126–86 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.[22] He won his first NBA championship with the Warriors after they defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2015 NBA Finals in six games.
On July 13, 2015, Barbosa re-signed with the Warriors.[23] In 2015–16, he helped the Warriors win an NBA record 73 games to eclipse the 72 wins set by the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls. The Warriors made it to the 2016 NBA Finals after overcoming a 3–1 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. In Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers on June 2, Barbosa returned from a minor back injury to score 11 points on 5-of-5 shooting off the bench in a 104–89 victory.[24] The Warriors eventually lost the series in seven games despite a 3–1 lead.
Third stint with Phoenix (2016–2017)
On July 19, 2016, Barbosa signed a multi-year deal with the Phoenix Suns, returning to the franchise for a third stint just weeks before playing for his home nation at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.[25] On December 9, Barbosa scored a season-high 21 points and hit five three-pointers in a 119–115 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.[26] On December 28, in a loss to the San Antonio Spurs, Barbosa played his 517th game with the Suns, moving him past Amar'e Stoudemire in to 10th on the Suns' all-time games played list.[27] On March 3, 2017, against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Barbosa made his 544th appearance in a Suns jersey, passing Mark West for ninth all-time in games played. Barbosa's 14 points also pushed him past Connie Hawkins for 14th in all-time scoring with Phoenix.[28] Barbosa's final game in his NBA career was played on March 24, 2017, in a 120–130 loss to the Boston Celtics, where he recorded 11 points, 5 rebounds, and a steal.
On July 3, 2017, Barbosa was waived by the Suns.[29]
Franca Basquetebol Clube (2017–2018)
On November 17, 2017, Barbosa returned to Brazil and signed with Franca.[30][31]
Minas Storm Basquete (2018–2020)
On December 13, 2018, Barbosa signed with Minas.[32] In the 2019–20 season, he was the league's leading scorer at 20.1 points per game before the season shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Barbosa and his then-pregnant wife contracted the virus but both recovered.[33]
Retirement
On September 14, 2020, Barbosa announced his retirement from professional basketball.[34]
^"Suns Game Notes"(PDF). NBA.com. Archived from the original on December 30, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
