Leandro Barbosa
Encyclopedia
Leandro Mateus Barbosa (born November 28, 1982 in São Paulo
, São Paulo
, Brazil
) is a Brazil
ian professional basketball
player, who plays at the guard position with Flamengo Basketball
in Brazil. He is also under contract with the National Basketball Association
's Toronto Raptors
, and is expected to return to that team once the 2011 NBA lockout
ends. In Brazil he is nicknamed "Leandrinho" (Little Leandro), and in the USA he is nicknamed "The Brazilian Blur", referring to the fact that he is one of the fastest players in the NBA.
when he was 17. He played on Paulista (São Paulo's
) Championship under the command of Lula Ferreira
, the future Brazil national team coach.
At 19, he played on the principal team of Palmeiras on Paulista (São Paulo's) Championship. He averaged 14.2 points per game. After that he was traded to Tilibra/Bauru
on January 2001.
During his first season as a professional in Brazil, playing for Tilibra/Copimax, he was coached by Jorge Guerra. He averaged 15.8 points, 6.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game. He was chosen as Rookie of the Year during the Paulista of 2001. Barbosa ended the season as the fourth ranked player in three point percentage, sixth in assists and eleventh in field goals. In 2002, he won the Brazilian Basketball League
with Bauru, and was drafted for the Brazil national basketball team
who played in the 2002 FIBA World Championship
.
At 6'3" with a 6'10" wingspan
, he 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 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. Barbosa is also an accurate three point
shooter with a career average of 39.5% 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 ten-game streak from January 2 to January 19. Barbosa is well known for his great speed on the court.
During the 2006–2007 season, Barbosa averaged 18.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 32.7 minutes per game despite playing off bench.
Barbosa was the recipient of the 2006–07 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award
.
Barbosa scored a career high of 41 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 20, 2009.
in Brazil. His deal has an out-clause that will allow him to return to the NBA once the 2011 lockout ends.
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 70 || 46 || 21.4 || .447 || .395 || .770 || 1.8 || 2.4 || 1.3 || .1 || 7.9
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 63 || 6 || 17.3 || .475 || .367 || .797 || 2.1 || 2.0 || .5 || .1 || 7.0
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 57 || 11 || 27.9 || .481 || .444 || .755 || 2.6 || 2.8 || .8 || .1 || 13.1
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 80 || 18 || 32.7 || .476 || .434 || .845 || 2.7 || 4.0 || 1.2 || .2 || 18.1
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 82 || 12 || 29.5 || .462 || .389 || .822 || 2.8 || 2.6 || .9 || .2 || 15.6
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 70 || 11 || 24.4 || .482 || .375 || .881 || 2.6 || 2.3 || 1.2 || .1 || 14.2
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 44 || 5 || 17.9 || .425 || .324 || .877 || 1.6 || 1.5 || .5 || .3 || 9.5
|-
| align="left" | 2010-11
| align="left" | Toronto
| 58 || 0 || 24.1 || .450 || .338 || .796 || 1.7 || 2.1 || .9 || .1 || 13.3
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 524 || 109 || 25.0 || .465 || .392 || .824 || 2.3 || 2.5 || 1.0 || .2 || 12.7
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 12 || 0 || 9.7 || .343 || .400 || .500 || 1.4 || 1.0 || .2 || .0 || 2.5
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 20 || 3 || 31.6 || .470 || .391 || .862 || 1.6 || 2.7 || .8 || .2 || 14.2
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 11 || 1 || 31.7 || .405 || .305 || .718 || 3.5 || 2.2 || 1.1 || .2 || 15.8
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 5 || 1 || 28.6 || .345 || .222 || .909 || 4.0 || 1.8 || .6 || .0 || 10.4
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 16 || 0 || 15.6 || .417 || .343 || .708 || 1.3 || 1.3 || .3 || .1 || 7.2
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 64 || 5 || 23.3 || .423 || .340 || .787 || 2.0 || 1.9 || .6 || .1 || 10.2
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
, São Paulo
São Paulo (state)
São Paulo is a state in Brazil. It is the major industrial and economic powerhouse of the Brazilian economy. Named after Saint Paul, São Paulo has the largest population, industrial complex, and economic production in the country. It is the richest state in Brazil...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
) is a Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player, who plays at the guard position with Flamengo Basketball
Flamengo Basketball
Flamengo's Basketball team is a Brazilian professional team, part of the Clube de Regatas do Flamengo family.-Roster:-Noted coaches:*Miguel Angelo da Luz*Paulo Teixeira Sampaio "Chupeta"*Togo Renan Soares "Kanela"...
in Brazil. He is also under contract with the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
's Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
, and is expected to return to that team once the 2011 NBA lockout
2011 NBA lockout
The 2011 NBA lockout is the fourth lockout in the history of the National Basketball Association . The owners began the work stoppage at 12:01 am EDT on July 1, 2011. The main issues dividing the owners and the players are revenue sharing and the structure of the salary cap...
ends. In Brazil he is nicknamed "Leandrinho" (Little Leandro), and in the USA he is nicknamed "The Brazilian Blur", referring to the fact that he is one of the fastest players in the NBA.
Pre-NBA career
Barbosa started his career at PalmeirasSociedade Esportiva Palmeiras
Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras is a Brazilian football club from São Paulo. The club was founded on August 26, 1914, as Palestra Italia but changed to the current name on September 14, 1942...
when he was 17. He played on Paulista (São Paulo's
São Paulo (state)
São Paulo is a state in Brazil. It is the major industrial and economic powerhouse of the Brazilian economy. Named after Saint Paul, São Paulo has the largest population, industrial complex, and economic production in the country. It is the richest state in Brazil...
) Championship under the command of Lula Ferreira
Lula Ferreira
Aluísio Elias Ferreira Xavier is a Brazilian basketball coach, who guided the men's national team at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan. There the squad ended up in 17th place. He led the team to the gold medal at the 2003 Pan American Games.Currently he is the coach of the Universo BRB of...
, the future Brazil national team coach.
At 19, he played on the principal team of Palmeiras on Paulista (São Paulo's) Championship. He averaged 14.2 points per game. After that he was traded to Tilibra/Bauru
Bauru
Bauru is a Brazilian city and municipality in midwestern region of the state of São Paulo. It is also the capital of the micro-region of Bauru...
on January 2001.
During his first season as a professional in Brazil, playing for Tilibra/Copimax, he was coached by Jorge Guerra. He averaged 15.8 points, 6.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game. He was chosen as Rookie of the Year during the Paulista of 2001. Barbosa ended the season as the fourth ranked player in three point percentage, sixth in assists and eleventh in field goals. In 2002, he won the Brazilian Basketball League
Campeonato Brasileiro de Basquete
The Campeonato Brasileiro de Basquete was the main basketball league in Brazil. The championship was organized by the Brazilian confederation, CBB...
with Bauru, and was drafted for the Brazil national basketball team
Brazil national basketball team
The Brazilian National Basketball Team represents Brazil in FIBA's basketball competitions.-Men's team:First drafted in 1922, the men's team has won two World Championships , three bronze Olympic medals , four Americas Championships and five Pan American Games .-Olympic Games:-FIBA...
who played in the 2002 FIBA World Championship
2002 FIBA World Championship
The 2002 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball tournament held by the International Basketball Federation in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA from August 29 to September 8, 2002.-Venues:-Squads:...
.
NBA career
Wingspan
The wingspan of an airplane or a bird, is the distance from one wingtip to the other wingtip. For example, the Boeing 777 has a wingspan of about ; and a Wandering Albatross caught in 1965 had a wingspan of , the official record for a living bird.The term wingspan, more technically extent, is...
, he was selected 28th overall in the 2003 NBA Draft
2003 NBA Draft
The 2003 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2003 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and...
by the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
but his rights were acquired by the Suns in a trade for a future protected first-round 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
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
on January 5, 2004. Barbosa is also an accurate three point
Three-point field goal
A three-point field goal is a field goal in a basketball game, made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc radiating from the basket...
shooter with a career average of 39.5% 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 ten-game streak from January 2 to January 19. Barbosa is well known for his great speed on the court.
During the 2006–2007 season, Barbosa averaged 18.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 32.7 minutes per game despite playing off bench.
Barbosa was the recipient of the 2006–07 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award
NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award
The National Basketball Association's Sixth Man of the Year Award is an annual National Basketball Association award given since the 1982–83 NBA season to the league's most valuable player for his team coming off the bench as a substitute . A panel of sportswriters and broadcasters from throughout...
.
Barbosa scored a career high of 41 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 20, 2009.
Return to Brazil
On August 18, 2011, Barbosa signed with Flamengo BasketballFlamengo Basketball
Flamengo's Basketball team is a Brazilian professional team, part of the Clube de Regatas do Flamengo family.-Roster:-Noted coaches:*Miguel Angelo da Luz*Paulo Teixeira Sampaio "Chupeta"*Togo Renan Soares "Kanela"...
in Brazil. His deal has an out-clause that will allow him to return to the NBA once the 2011 lockout ends.
NBA career transactions
- Drafted: 20032003 NBA DraftThe 2003 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2003 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and...
, 1st round, 28th pick by San Antonio SpursSan Antonio SpursThe San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
. - Draft rights traded by Spurs to Phoenix SunsPhoenix SunsThe Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
for conditional 1st-round pick (2005 #30 - David LeeDavid Lee (basketball)David Lee is an American professional basketball player who is a power forward and center for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association . He played college basketball for the University of Florida and was selected by the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2005 NBA...
) on June 26, 2003. - Signed by Suns to three-year, $2.6 million contract with team option worth $1.7 million on July 16, 2003.
- Signed a five-year, $34 million contract extension with the Suns on August 3, 2006.
- Traded by the Suns to Toronto RaptorsToronto RaptorsThe Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
along with Dwayne JonesDwayne JonesDwayne Jones is an American professional basketball player.-College career:Along with senior Jameer Nelson and juniors Delonte West and Pat Carroll, Jones was an integral part of the undefeated Saint Joseph's team during the 2004 regular season. The Hawks earned a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament...
for Hedo Türkoğlu on July 14, 2010.
Personal life
Leandrinho dated Brazilian actress Samara Felippo between 2008 and 2010. The two had a daughter, Alícia (born June 25, 2009).Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Phoenix
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
| 70 || 46 || 21.4 || .447 || .395 || .770 || 1.8 || 2.4 || 1.3 || .1 || 7.9
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 63 || 6 || 17.3 || .475 || .367 || .797 || 2.1 || 2.0 || .5 || .1 || 7.0
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 57 || 11 || 27.9 || .481 || .444 || .755 || 2.6 || 2.8 || .8 || .1 || 13.1
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 80 || 18 || 32.7 || .476 || .434 || .845 || 2.7 || 4.0 || 1.2 || .2 || 18.1
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 82 || 12 || 29.5 || .462 || .389 || .822 || 2.8 || 2.6 || .9 || .2 || 15.6
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 70 || 11 || 24.4 || .482 || .375 || .881 || 2.6 || 2.3 || 1.2 || .1 || 14.2
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
2009–10 NBA season
The 2009–10 NBA season was the 64th season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, and ended on Wednesday, April 14, 2010....
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 44 || 5 || 17.9 || .425 || .324 || .877 || 1.6 || 1.5 || .5 || .3 || 9.5
|-
| align="left" | 2010-11
| align="left" | Toronto
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
| 58 || 0 || 24.1 || .450 || .338 || .796 || 1.7 || 2.1 || .9 || .1 || 13.3
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 524 || 109 || 25.0 || .465 || .392 || .824 || 2.3 || 2.5 || 1.0 || .2 || 12.7
Playoffs
|-| align="left" | 2004–05
2005 NBA Playoffs
The 2005 NBA Playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2004–05 season.The San Antonio Spurs, the number two ranked team in the Western Conference, won the 2005 NBA Playoffs by defeating the defending champions, the Detroit Pistons, 4-3 in the NBA Finals...
| align="left" | Phoenix
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
| 12 || 0 || 9.7 || .343 || .400 || .500 || 1.4 || 1.0 || .2 || .0 || 2.5
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
2006 NBA Playoffs
The 2006 NBA Playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2005–06 season. The Miami Heat won the first championship in the history of the franchise by defeating the Dallas Mavericks 4-2 in the 2006 NBA Finals...
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 20 || 3 || 31.6 || .470 || .391 || .862 || 1.6 || 2.7 || .8 || .2 || 14.2
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
2007 NBA Playoffs
The 2007 NBA Playoffs was the postseason to the National Basketball Association's 2006–2007 season.There were four rounds of postseason action, all of them in a best-of-seven format, with teams seeded on a bracket. The team with the better record wasn't necessarily the basis of seeding teams in...
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 11 || 1 || 31.7 || .405 || .305 || .718 || 3.5 || 2.2 || 1.1 || .2 || 15.8
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
2008 NBA Playoffs
The 2008 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2007–08 season which ended with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers 4–2....
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 5 || 1 || 28.6 || .345 || .222 || .909 || 4.0 || 1.8 || .6 || .0 || 10.4
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
2010 NBA Playoffs
The 2010 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2009–10 season. The playoffs started on April 17, 2010 with ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 16 || 0 || 15.6 || .417 || .343 || .708 || 1.3 || 1.3 || .3 || .1 || 7.2
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 64 || 5 || 23.3 || .423 || .340 || .787 || 2.0 || 1.9 || .6 || .1 || 10.2