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Leandro Barbosa News & Rumors

Barbosa heads back to Brazil
August 19
Toronto Sun
 
"The Raptors have lost another player, but this one will come back if the NBA season gets played. Guard Leandro Barbosa has signed with Brazilian club Flamengo. Barbosa's deal has an NBA out that will be activated whenever the lockout ends. Swingman Sonny Weems has already signed to play in Lithuania for the entire season, with no lockout provision. "I'm delighted to play in Brazil after so much time, 'cause Brazilian basketball improved a lot in recent years," Barbosa said. "I had proposals from China, Turkey and other countries. But I was sure I'd be happy here.""
Barbosa picks up option to stay with Raptors
June 26
Toronto Sun
 
"It appears Leandro Barbosa will not be heading back to Brazil after all. Toronto Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo told QMI Agency Saturday afternoon that Barbosa has picked up his $7.6 million U.S. player option for the 2011-2012 season. Barbosa beat a midnight deadline to make a call."
Barbosa considering Brazilian options
June 11
The Globe and Mail
 
"The Toronto Raptors may get an unexpected break as they try to remake their team in the wake of a 22-60 season. Brazilian veteran Leandro Barbosa is considering opting out of the final year of a contract scheduled to pay him $7.6-million for 2011-12. According to his brother Arturo, the shooting guard is receiving feelers from some top club teams at home who want to bring back the top Brazilian player of his generation. "The situation is this: it would not be responsible of me as his brother to not consider the Brazil option," said Arturo Barbosa. "Leandro loves Toronto he loves the fans and the relationships with everybody, but business is business. An athlete's career is short and there"
Bargnani, Calderon, Barbosa and Johnson all sit with injuries for Raptors on Sunday
April 11
Toronto Star
 
"Necessity being the mother of invention and all, Julian Wright finds himself in the strangest of places with the Raptors these days. With Jose Calderon out and Leandro Barbosa also on the sidelines due to injury, the 6-foot-9 forward is all of a sudden a backup point guard on a wildly undermanned team playing out the string in the final week of the regular season. He's got all kinds of things to worry about: where his teammates are, what the plays are, what mismatches to try to exploit and all the other things that go with being a point guard."
Will Barbosa be here next season? Let's hope so
March 24
Toronto Sun
 
"With so much uncertainty surrounding the NBA's landscape, there's no telling where Leandro Barbosa will end up playing next year, assuming there is a season. With no playoff position to grab, Barbosa continues to be as professional as can be amid the losing, health issues and a suspect roster. Whether Barbosa comes back for his second season in Toronto, no one can say. Whether Barbosa decides to be a Raptor only to allow the club's general manager to trade the veteran, whether it's Bryan Colangelo or someone the onerous and basketball-brainless Teachers' Pension Fund deems worthy, no one knows. All that is known in a climate of unknowns is that Barbosa has a player option for next season"
Barbosa undecided on Olympic qualifiers
March 15
Toronto Sun
 
"Leandro Barbosa had a visitor following Sunday's game asking him a question he can't quite answer yet. Ruben Magnano, the head coach of the Brazilian national basketball team was in the crowd for Sunday's loss to Charlotte. It was the final stop of an NBA tour for the Argentine who was hoping to get commitments from the NBA players on the national team roster. Barbosa, reluctantly, could not give Magnano a commitment for a couple of reasons."
Brazilian Blur leads Raptors over Pacers
March 12
Toronto Star
 
"Not bad for a guy with a bad back. Leandro Barbosa, who missed practice Thursday with a sore back and who was getting treatment even as the game was going on, sparked the Raptors to a 108-98 victory over the Indiana Pacers at the Air Canada Centre on Friday night. The backup guard, affectionately known as The Brazilian Blur, scored 29 points — including 14 in a stellar second quarter — as Toronto snapped a three-game losing skid. "The first quarter the guys played well but, yeah, when Leandro came in you could tell it was one of those nights where he felt good and had it going," said coach Jay Triano."
Barbosa hoping to return against Timberwolves
February 4
Toronto Sun
 
"At least for now, he's the Brazilian Blur in name and reputation only. But Leandro Barbosa is hoping to return to action for the first time since Jan. 14 when he hurt his right hamstring in a home loss to the Pistons. Given the fragile state with these Raptors, a lot more will be known prior to Friday night's visit by Minnesota, but Barbosa did take part in practice on Thursday. "I'm a little winded,'' Barbosa said long after most of his teammates had departed. "But it feels good to be back." With Jerryd Bayless (knee) questionable, Barbosa's ability to back up starter Jose Calderon at the point and provide any spark off the bench would be welcome."
Raptors' Barbosa out for rest of roadtrip, Bayless questionable for Monday
January 16
Toronto Star
 (scroll down)
"Things aren't going to get any easier for the Raptors. Barbosa is definitely out for the rest of this road trip. After the game, Bayless said he's uncertain about playing on Monday afternoon in New Orleans. "I thought he was going to play and when we were doing our pre-game (media) conference right here and he walked out, I had no idea he was pulling the plug," Triano said of Bayless."
Raps lose Barbosa in loss to Pistons
January 15
Toronto Sun
 
"The road became more daunting, the need for someone to come off the bench and step up a lot more urgent. The news in Raptorland isn't exactly brimming with feel-good stories as the team's plight threatens to get worse just as it was about to board a flight for Washington, D.C., where on Saturday night Toronto begins a five-game road trip that has the earmarks of a death march. Not to sound the alarm bells, but the Raptors appear to be a run-away train with no end in sight, at least not one that has a happy ending. Leandro Barbosa, a heart-and-soul guy who gives the Raptors much-needed offence, hurt his hamstring during Friday's visit to the Air Canada Centre by the Detroit Pistons. He was"
Barbosa and snow don't mix
January 12
Toronto Sun
 
"The irony certainly wasn't lost on Leandro Barbosa, who doesn't have many peers when it comes to quicks on the court. For reasons that are as obvious as the Raptors' inability to defend, Barbosa, a native of Brazil, earned the Brazilian Blur moniker as a member of the Phoenix Suns for his ability to blow by opponents in the open floor or in the half court. Put him behind the wheel of a car when the weather isn't exactly comparable to Arizona and Barbosa is as slow as any first-time driver. "It was crazy,'' began Barbosa of his ordeal driving through Toronto's streets during a recent snow storm. "It was the first time I saw snow while driving and it was crazy."
Barbosa rounding into form for Raptors
January 12
Toronto Sun
 
"When he was asked to play the point, Leandro Barbosa never made a point of complaining. When people wondered aloud or privately about an errant jump shot, Barbosa never cited injury as a reason for his wayward heaves. When the pain in his shooting wrist becomes intolerable, Barbosa seldom complains. Life in Raptorland, at times, has been a blur for the ultra-quick guard, who struggled to find his stroke during the early season, filled in at point guard when Jarrett Jack was jettisoned to New Orleans, couldn't get minutes in a crowded wing spot and has all the while put off having surgery to repair a damaged wrist to his shooting (right) hand. "For now, I'm happy because my body is okay,''"
Banged-up Leandro Barbosa a big asset for Raptors
November 26
Toronto Star
 
"Leandro Barbosa's wrist is sore and his shoulder is wonky and he's got a simple explanation. "I think I'm just getting old," the Raptors guard joked. "It happens. At certain times in your life you go through those things, you just have to be patient." That might be true for some NBA veterans but it's hard to fathom it being a fact for Barbosa, who doesn't turn 28 years old until Sunday and carries a scant 200 pounds on a lithe 6-foot-3 frame."
Raptors' Barbosa will eventually need surgery on wrist
October 27
TSN.ca
 
"Raptors guard Leandro Barbosa may not be able to contribute as much as the team had hoped for in the 2010-11 season. Barbosa told the Globe and Mail that he will have surgery on his right wrist at some point in the future, depending on how long he can play through the discomfort. The shooting guard, acquired from the Phoenix Suns in the trade that sent Hedo Turkoglu south, will be in the lineup Wednesday night for the Raptors season opener, but the question is how effective he will be, and how long he will be able to delay surgery."
Barbosa to play despite wrist injury
October 27
Toronto Sun
 
"His right wrist banged up, Leandro Barbosa isn't going to be shy when looking to get off his shot on Wednesday in the season opener. One of the newest Raptors on this new-look team, Barbosa will be asked to provide instant offence when head coach Jay Triano turns to his bench and needs an infusion. "I'm not 100%, but I'm going to do my best," Barbosa said on Tuesday, Toronto's final preparation day in anticipation of the visit by the New York Knicks on Wednesday. "I want to be with my teammates and I will do my best." Barbosa may not be able to summon his best in light of his wrist, but even a less-than-healthy Barbosa still can get up and down the floor in transition and get his hands in"
Raps' Barbosa questionable for opener
October 26
Toronto Sun
 
"For the second straight day, a sore right wrist prevented Leandro Barbosa from taking part in any team drills. As Wednesday's curtain raiser draws nearer, Barbosa's status is by far the biggest concern surrounding the Raptors, other than the big-picture issue on how this team will perform in the absence of a star player in a star-driven league. The rule of thumb is to complete a pre-season without any setbacks, but Barbosa suffered his mishap in the exhibition finale last Friday against the New York Knicks, who will provide the opposition at the ACC on Wednesday. Whether Barbosa gets to renew acquaintances with former coach Mike D'Antoni and New York's newest star in Amare Stoudemire, who"
Brazil on NBA's exhibition radar
October 21
Toronto Sun
 
"The words uttered by NBA commissioner David Stern were music to Leandro Barbosa's ears, a declaration that resonated in the shooting guard's native land. Under Stern's watch, the NBA game has gone global, a reach that will involve a first this season when the Raptors and New Jersey Nets play a regular-season game in London. But what has Barbosa excited is the prospect of the league staging exhibition games in Brazil. "It will be a huge success,'' the Brazilian Blur said. "The economy in Brazil is strong and getting stronger. There is a lot of interest in basketball and there are many leagues." Whether it's prior to Brazil hosting soccer's World Cup in 2014 or the nation staging the 2016"
Barbosa a blur even in teaching mode as Raps top Sixers in double OT
October 14
Toronto Star
 
"Leandro Barbosa affords Jay Triano a luxury he's never really had: A package of speed and savvy and experience that will be a huge component of what the Raptors eventually become this season. And while all those attributes are much appreciated in the package Barbosa brings to the floor, his presence in practice is just as important. If the guard known as the Brazilian Blur does nothing else this season other than teach young teammates how to best use their athleticism, it will be fine with Triano."
Barbosa has shoes of a different colour
October 12
Toronto Sun
 
"Leandro Barbosa is quite frankly annoyed that his footwear has become such a topic of conversation. Barbosa, like most NBA players, has a shoe contract that, when functioning properly, provides him with footwear that matches his team. His deal is with Adidas. But for whatever reason, and Barbosa grudgingly admittedly he hasn't received one yet, he has yet to be supplied with any shoes that match his new team's colours."
Raptors' Barbosa ready to run
October 6
Toronto Sun
 
"Once the formalities of reconnecting with some familiar faces are over, it'll be business as usual for Leandro Barbosa. For Barbosa, his entire tenure in the NBA has been with Phoenix, a place he nearly helped lead to an NBA title, a team that took advantage of his unique ability to get up and down the floor, but a team that lost faith in his game when injuries began to mount. Quick as ever with the ball, as explosive as he has ever been when he gets out in transition, Wednesday night marks the first time Barbosa will face the team that traded him to Toronto this past off-season. "It will be strange,'' began the shooting guard, who years ago was fittingly branded as the Brazilian Blur."
Raps will lean on Barbosa
September 29
Toronto Sun
 
"Leandro Barbosa might not be getting as much ink as fellow Raptor newcomer Linas Kleiza, but it is already clear the club is expecting him to make just as much of an impact. On the season's first day of practice Tuesday, head coach Jay Triano indicated Barbosa - one of the quickest players in the NBA - he isn't known as the Brazilian Blur for nothing - will get every opportunity to wreak havoc at the offensive end. Though Barbosa, a former sixth man of the year award winner will likely come off the bench and though the Raptors, according to Triano, will not play a run-and-gun style like Barbosa's former club in Phoenix, the team will still be an up-tempo one with Barbosa playing a major"
Raptors' Leandro Barbosa doing his best to Be Like Steve
September 29
Toronto Star
 
"If you're going to emulate some NBA star, there are far worse choices than Steve Nash and to see Leandro Barbosa go about his business is like watching a skinny Brazilian impersonation of the slight Canadian NBA all-star. From trying to develop extraordinary core strength to hold off the ravages of an NBA season to a silly little private shooting game that teaches balance while maintaining accuracy, new Raptors guard Barbosa tries his best to Be Like Steve. "He's different. He's different," Barbosa said of his one-time Phoenix Suns teammate. "It's tough when you talk about Steve — he always does stuff that everybody doesn't do. It's unique but (he's a) good player and I try to do"
Barbosa key to Raps' team concept
July 19
Toronto Sun
 
"The Toronto Raptors are moving in a new direction, the focus no longer on the talents of Chris Bosh, but on a collective approach to playing the game. Bosh recently joined LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in Miami, leaving a giant hole in the Raptors' front court, a 24-point and 10-rebound-per-game hole that general manager Bryan Colangelo has been working feverishly to fill. With Bosh out of the picture, the dynamics of the team will shift immensely and Colangelo has made it known that speed, athleticism and depth will become the hallmarks of the organization going forward. With the long-anticipated trade that sent Hedo Turkoglu to the Phoenix Suns for Leandro Barbosa completed last week, the"
Full speed ahead for Raptors as Barbosa-Turkoglu deal finally done
July 15
Toronto Star
 
"There is little doubt what management would like the next incarnation of the Raptors to look like. With the anchor of a relatively slow but effective offence now gone, the emphasis is shifting to speed and athleticism, two attributes addressed in the latest summer transaction. The long-anticipated trade that sent Hedo Turkoglu to the Phoenix Suns for guard Leandro Barbosa was finally consummated Wednesday night, fulfilling president and general manager Bryan Colangelo's desire to build a team around speed and versatility."
Phoenix Suns officially acquire Childress, Turkoglu
July 15
Arizona Republic
 
"The trades were finalized Wednesday, setting forth a new era in Suns basketball. Yes, Amar'e Stoudemire is gone, but the acquisitions of 6-foot-10 versatile forward Hedo Turkoglu and wing Josh Childress might make the All-Star's absence easier for Phoenix fans to stomach. The Suns sent reserve guard Leandro Barbosa and big man Dwayne Jones to Toronto for Turkoglu, a player they had coveted in the past. They snagged Childress in a sign-and-trade deal with Atlanta, giving up their 2012 second-round draft pick in the process. "We lost Amar'e, but (we) picked up some good pieces that can hopefully do what he did," Childress said upon introduction to Valley media. "It might take two or three"
Phoenix Suns close to finalizing deals for Hedo Turkoglu, Josh Childress
July 14
Arizona Republic
 
"Hedo Turkoglu and Josh Childress are set to join the Suns, but the paperwork involving the trades still wasn't complete Tuesday. The Suns were close to finalizing a deal that will send reserve guard Leandro Barbosa and forward/center Dwayne Jones to Toronto for Turkoglu, a 6-foot-10 multi-skilled forward. They also plan to send a 2012 second-round pick and a trade exception to Atlanta for Childress. Turkoglu and Childress help offset the loss of star forward Amar'e Stoudemire, who left last week for the New York Knicks. They could be introduced to Valley media members Wednesday."
Raptor rebuild decidedly Sun-ny
July 13
Toronto Star
 
"The Toronto Raptors are bigger and faster and entirely Bryan Colangelo's as the latest roster re-jigging is close to completion. In a major trading binge, the president and general manager got rid of the last playing link to the previous era on Monday and began charting a new course for the future. By dealing away Jose Calderon — the last remaining player from the Rob Babcock days — along with Hedo Turkoglu and Reggie Evans, and adding Leandro Barbosa, Boris Diaw and Tyson Chandler, Colangelo is now solely responsible for the entire roster."
Colangelo finds taker for Turkoglu, but Bobcats might pull out of Calderon angle of deal
July 13
Toronto Sun
 
"Say this for Bryan Colangelo, he might make a mess, but he cleans up very well. The Raptors president/general manager is not shy about making bold moves. Some turn out to be successes, others, dismal failures. When they don't work out, he moves quickly to try to turn things around. To that end, Colangelo is now on the verge of removing his two ugliest contracts from the books, though nothing is yet official and the bulk of the deal now appears to be in jeopardy. The Arizona Republic first reported Sunday that Hedo Turkoglu — who inked a five-year, $52-million-US deal with the club last summer — would be heading to Phoenix in exchange for guard Leandro Barbosa and that Charlotte forward"
Suns add more talent and question marks in moves for Turkoglu and Childress
July 13
Arizona Republic
 
"When the Suns' trades likely are done today, adding Hedo Turkoglu and Josh Childress while losing Leandro Barbosa makes the Suns undoubtedly more talented. For Phoenix to come away from Amar'e Stoudemire's exit with Hakim Warrick, Turkoglu and Childress is more palatable than how nothing would have tasted. Leandro Barbosa and possibly Dwayne Jones will go to Toronto for Turkoglu. A three-way deal involving Charlotte that would send ex-Suns player Boris Diaw to Toronto remains a possibility, but a Barbosa-Turkoglu swap will happen regardless. The Suns also will send a 2012 second-round pick and a trade exception to Atlanta for Childress. The deals make the Suns intriguing and relevant"
Phoenix Suns close to acquiring Josh Childress, Hedo Turkoglu
July 12
Arizona Republic
 
"The Suns are on the verge of acquiring forwards Hedo Turkoglu and Josh Childress, swiftly rebounding from the loss of Amar'e Stoudemire with two impact players. The Suns would send seven-year veteran guard Leandro Barbosa and late-season addition Dwayne Jones to Toronto for Turkoglu, a 6-foot-10 forward from Turkey with versatile skills to shoot from long range and be a playmaker. Toronto would then move Jones and its trade exception from the Chris Bosh sign-and-trade deal to Charlotte for former Suns forward Boris Diaw. Phoenix will send a 2012 second-round pick to Atlanta in a sign-and-trade deal for Childress, who will leave Greece for a five-year, $33 million contract to play for the"
Report says Raps working on trades with Suns and Bobcats for Barbosa and Diaw
July 12
Toronto Sun
 
"Hedo Turkoglu's days in Toronto might be over. Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic reported late Sunday night that the Raptors and Phoenix Suns were working on a deal that would send Turkoglu to Phoenix in exchange for guard Leandro Barbosa and Dwyane Jones. The Suns are also expected to swing a sign-and-trade deal with the Atlanta Hawks for swingman Josh Childress, who spent last season in Greece. According to the Republic, Turkoglu is represented by player agent Lon Babby, a candidate to take over as GM in Phoenix for Steve Kerr. Coro also reported that the Raptors would send part of their $14 million US trade exception to the Charlotte Bobcats, along with Jones, for versatile forward"
Leandro Barbosa, Rudy Fernandez on trade radar
July 4
Boston Herald
 
"While the Celtics continue to tend to their own Garden in hopes of retaining their own free agents, the club is exploring a number of other options, as well. League sources said yesterday that the Celts have expressed trade interest in guards Leandro Barbosa of Phoenix and Rudy Fernandez of Portland. The Celtics probably are using Rasheed Wallace's contract in their attempt to acquire Barbosa, who averaged 9.5 points in 17.9 minutes for the Suns this season. Barbosa will make $7.1 million in 2010-11 and has a player option for $7.6 million the following season. Wallace is on the books for $6,322,320, which is well within the acceptable range (125 percent plus $100,000) for a trade under"
Phoenix Suns' Leandro Barbosa could be key against San Antonio Spurs
May 3
Arizona Republic
 
"In an act of kindness - or maybe gamesmanship - San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich, part-owner of a winery, sent a case of the good stuff to Alvin Gentry on Saturday. The Suns coach wondered how to reciprocate and mused that he would probably rely on a sommelier's second-string choice. "A nice bottle of Boone's Farm?" he said Fortunately for the coach, his second-string players are of a much higher quality. None will be as valuable this series as Leandro Barbosa, whose ability to up the tempo and put the defense on its heels will be key against a Spurs team whose bench is often one-man deep. Being a game-changer in this Western Conference semifinal, which kicks off Monday night in US Airways"
Suns reserve guard Leandro Barbosa ready for Tuesday return
March 15
Arizona Republic
 
"A couple of possible weekend appearances for Suns guard Leandro Barbosa turned into more delays, but Barbosa pledges that Tuesday night will mark his return to action. Barbosa was cleared to practice last week and had chances to return Friday or Sunday but felt too weak to dribble for Friday's game and asked Suns coach Alvin Gentry on Sunday morning for one more game off to make sure he is ready for the final month. If he plays Tuesday, it would be seven weeks after his wrist surgery to remove a cyst. The original timetable was for him to be out four to six weeks. "It's feeling good," Barbosa said. "I'm very happy about the results and can't wait to come back. I'm going to wait one more"
Leandro Barbosa ready for Tuesday return
March 15
Arizona Republic
 
"A couple of possible weekend appearances for Suns guard Leandro Barbosa turned into more delays, but Barbosa pledges that Tuesday night will mark his return to action. Barbosa was cleared to practice last week and had chances to return Friday or Sunday but felt too weak to dribble for Friday's game and asked Suns coach Alvin Gentry on Sunday morning for one more game off to make sure he is ready for the final month. If he plays Tuesday, it would be seven weeks after his wrist surgery to remove a cyst. The original timetable was for him to be out four to six weeks."
Barbosa will not play tonight against the Hornets
March 14
Arizona Republic
 
"Suns guard Leandro Barbosa will not return to action for tonight's game against New Orleans, saying that he asked coach Alvin Gentry this morning to take one more game off and make his comeback against Minnesota on Tuesday, which will be seven weeks after his surgery. Barbosa's original timetable after Jan. 26 wrist surgery was to return in four to six weeks. He was slated to return Friday night against the Lakers but was bothered by feeling weak with his dribble Thursday at practice."
Phoenix Suns' guard Leandro Barbosa says he's not ready for Lakers game
March 12
Arizona Republic
 
"Steve Nash, Goran Dragic and Leandro Barbosa all took part in at least limited scrimmaging during Thursday's practice, and Dragic and Nash said they're ready to go Friday against the Lakers . Barbosa said he isn't. He had a cyst removed from his right wrist a little over six weeks ago. "No, I'm going to wait," he said. "I don't know how many games. I'm not strong yet with the (right) hand. It's still a little bit weak. I can't pass the way I want to pass. Hopefully I'll be back soon. I'm excited and wanted to play, but I want to make sure I get back right." Coach Alvin Gentry said as early as Tuesday that Barbosa was actually shooting the ball better than anticipated, and indicated he"
Leandro Barbosa's return to squeeze Phoenix Suns backcourt
March 11
Arizona Republic
 
"The squeeze is coming, and for the Suns that might be a good thing. With Leandro Barbosa expected to make his return from wrist surgery against the Lakers the Suns have a numbers crunch in their backcourt. Backup point guard Goran Dragic has played unexpectedly well this season at both ends of the court. Shooting guard Jason Richardson, who briefly was replaced in the starting lineup by Barbosa, is playing some of his best basketball since joining the club. And Steve Nash is orchestrating like an MVP again. But that's four players for two positions on the court - not even counting Grant Hill, who can swing from forward to guard and is having flashbacks to the '90s. Still, with all the"
Leandro Barbosa's return to squeeze Phoenix Suns backcourt
March 10
Arizona Republic
 
"The squeeze is coming, and for the Suns that might be a good thing. With Leandro Barbosa expected to make his return from wrist surgery against the Lakers the Suns have a numbers crunch in their backcourt. Backup point guard Goran Dragic has played unexpectedly well this season at both ends of the court. Shooting guard Jason Richardson, who briefly was replaced in the starting lineup by Barbosa, is playing some of his best basketball since joining the club. And Steve Nash is orchestrating like an MVP again. But that's four players for two positions on the court - not even counting Grant Hill, who can swing from forward to guard and is having flashbacks to the '90s. Still, with all the"
Suns' Leandro Barbosa back; Steve Nash getting needed rest
March 9
Arizona Republic
 
"Leandro Barbosa, who had surgery on his right wrist six weeks ago, returned to practice, and Gentry hopes he'll be available to play against the Lakers. "I'll speak with the trainers, but he'll do a little more contact stuff (today) and practice Thursday, and if everything is OK he should be ready to go, I would think." Barbosa said his right arm is still "a little weak" and there is some swelling, but he added that if he feels comfortable Thursday he likely will play Friday. "I'm very hungry to come back and help my teammates," he said. "We'll see what happens." He said his fitness is good. "The wind is great," he said. "The trainers have been pushing me really hard, and I appreciate"
Suns guard Leandro Barbosa gets medical clearance
March 2
Arizona Republic
 
"Suns guard Leandro Barbosa got farther away from the basket with his shots Monday, putting him closer to a return. Barbosa was given a full medical clearance Monday, allowing him to use Monday's pregame time to take his first perimeter shots since he underwent surgery Jan. 26 to remove a cyst from his right wrist. There is no timetable for Barbosa's return to game action, especially with the Suns not having any practices this week because they are in a five-day, four-game stretch. Barbosa said his expectation was that the Suns would use next week's five consecutive off days to prepare him for a return, but he said he might be able to get in some two-on-two or three-on-three work this week"
Suns guard Leandro Barbosa gets medical clearance
March 2
Arizona Republic
 
"Suns guard Leandro Barbosa got farther away from the basket with his shots Monday, putting him closer to a return. Barbosa was given a full medical clearance Monday, allowing him to use Monday's pregame time to take his first perimeter shots since he underwent surgery Jan. 26 to remove a cyst from his right wrist. There is no timetable for Barbosa's return to game action, especially with the Suns not having any practices this week because they are in a five-day, four-game stretch. Barbosa said his expectation was that the Suns would use next week's five consecutive off days to prepare him for a return, but he said he might be able to get in some two-on-two or three-on-three work this week"
Is Cleveland big enough for Amare & Shaq
February 15
ESPN.com
 
"On Sunday, ESPN.com's Chris Broussard reported that the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns had seriously discussed a trade that would send Amare Stoudemire to Cleveland for J.J. Hickson (and the expiring contract of Zydrunas Ilgauskas). As Broussard reported, the Cavs had made the offer and the ball was in Phoenix's court. In the meantime, I've spoken to sources connected to the Cavs, the Suns and other teams around the league, and while they confirm that the Stoudemire trade discussions between Cleveland and Phoenix are at a serious stage, they also describe a fluid situation, with trade discussions taking place on multiple fronts."
Iguodala trade talk: Phoenix, Houston
February 6
Philly.com
 
"The latest trade talk circulating around 76ers swingman Andre Iguodala has him going with teammate Samuel Dalembert to the Phoenix Suns for star power forward Amar'e Stoudemire and, possibly, guard Leandro Barbosa. According to an NBA source, the two teams have discussed this and other trade scenarios, although there are a few snags with the potential trade. Stoudemire's contract situation is chief among them. The NBA's trade deadline is Feb. 18. Iguodala has four years and $56 million remaining on his contract; Dalembert will earn $12 million next season, after which his contract expires. Stoudemire's contract expires at season's end, but he has a player option to earn $17 million for the"
Suns' Leandro Barbosa has cyst removed from wrist
January 27
Arizona Republic
 
"Suns guard Leandro Barbosa underwent the surgery to remove a ganglion cyst from his right wrist Tuesday. The team is saying he will be out four to six weeks, adding two weeks of flexibility from the original prognosis. The surgery was performed by Suns team physician Dr. Thomas Carter and the Orthopedic Clinic's Dr. Joey Haber. Barbosa is expected to be allowed to start conditioning work in about a week, which should help keep his rehabilitation process on the shorter end by staying in shape. It is the same wrist Barbosa injured during the summer, when he was playing for his Brazilian national team and sprained it on a fall. The wrist bothered him through camp and he took three games off"
Suns' Leandro Barbosa to have surgery on wrist, will miss a month
January 24
Arizona Republic
 
"Suns guard Leandro Barbosa will undergo surgery to remove a cyst from his right wrist on Tuesday and miss a month of play. The Suns basketball and medical staffs met before Saturday night's game against Golden State and brought Barbosa into Coach Alvin Gentry's office to involve him in the final decision. Barbosa, inactive for Saturday's game, considered having fluid drained from the wrist after the swelling and pain in his right hand worsened during Friday's loss to Chicago. Barbosa has struggled with the wrist problem since the summer, when it apparently originated from spraining the right wrist on a fall during play for the Brazilian national team. Barbosa is averaging 10.6 points this"
Suns guard Leandro Barbosa dealing with less playing time
January 12
Arizona Republic
 
"Leandro Barbosa still has a big role with the Suns. It's just not as big. Barbosa has reclaimed court time alongside Steve Nash but still is playing less than in the past now that Goran Dragic has taken hold of the backup point-guard time. Barbosa also has struggled with injuries and performance. "It's a little bit of a new role for him in that we can't seem to get him as many minutes as in the past," coach Alvin Gentry said. "But that could all change in a week. As I told the guys, 'You'll be called on at some stage to do things to help us win, and you have to be focused on that right here.' That might end up being 15 minutes or 30 minutes. "LB's very important to our team. We've made"
Barbosa makes a happy return for Suns
December 26
Arizona Republic
 
"Leandro Barbosa still might have been sore, but the Suns did not hurt for having him back. The guard returned to action from an ankle sprain after missing nearly four weeks, recording 12 points and four assists in 21 minutes during the Suns' 124-93 rout of the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night at US Airways Center. Barbosa helped stretch a four-point lead to eight during his first nine minutes of action in the second quarter, when he scored six points by penetrating on the baseline, off a curl and on an isolation drive. It was a one-on-one speed element that the Suns had missed. "I was feeling comfortable out there," Barbosa said. "I was happy Coach (Alvin) Gentry trusted me to"
Suns guard Leandro Barbosa returning from injury
December 25
Arizona Republic
 
"There is nothing left for Suns guard Leandro Barbosa to do but play. He has gone through every form of rehabilitation. He practiced three times this week, increasing his workload and seeing his first five-on-five, full-court action Thursday. He has done extra training and more shooting at night at the arena with relatives. That set up Barbosa for his first game action since he sprained his left ankle Nov. 29 at Toronto, when he scored 17 points to help the Suns win and move to 14-3. Since then, Phoenix is 4-8. "I'm excited," Barbosa said. "I wanted to come back as soon as possible, but I just want to make sure everything's healthy so that I can come back for good and do what I like to do:"