NBA gave so many talents throughout the past couple of decades. We have witnessed unbelievable and amazing basketball stories of teams. This league was also a stage for showing incredible skills from players from different parts of the world. One of those parts was South America.
One of the most representative examples of South America was Leandro Barbosa. The Brazilian star was an interesting figure for spectators during the 2000s and 2010s because of his specific style of play. His amazing road in NBA and Big3 will be described in the next couple of paragraphs. Sit in front of your computers or mobile phones and enjoy.
How did Leandro start his professional career?
Leandro began his career in the Brazilian club Palmeiras when he was 17 years old. Leandro scored 14.2 points per game when he was 21 years old. That performance enabled him to sign for another Brazilian club – Bauru. That was his first professional engagement.
Barbosa was playing under Coach Jorge Guerra. Leandro Barbosa had 15.8 points, 6.4 assists, and 1.7 steals per game in his first season there. This player got an award for 2001 Rookie of the year. The hero of our paragraphs won the trophy in the best Brazilian national league in 2002 and deserved the call for World Cup in the same year.
How did Barbosa’s career in NBA start?
Leandro was picked as the 28th overall pick in the summer of 2003. San Antonio chose him first, but rights for a player were transferred to Phoenix. The trade included acquiring the right for a first-round pick for San Antonio in the draft in the future.
Barbosa is an owner of a record for the highest number of scored points in a game in a debut season as a first-time starter with 27 points. His career-high (49) was scored against Oklahoma City Thunder at the beginning of 2009.
What happened with Leandro after Phoenix?
Barbosa was sent to Toronto together with Dwayne Jones, and Hedo Turkoglu went in the opposite direction in the summer of 2010. There was a lockout in 2011 in NBA. Leandro went to play for Flamengo, a Brazilian club, during the lockout. This player had a clause in the contract with Flamengo that he can depart them if the lockout is finished.
That happened in December, 2011. The hero of our paragraphs came back to Toronto. Barbosa spent two seasons in Canada and the collaboration between him and the club ended. Leandro found a new team in March,2012.
Where did Barbosa continue his NBA career?
Leandro continued his NBA road in Indiana Pacers and Toronto got the right to choose a future second-round pick in return. His signing was a good move for this team because this player’s role in Indiana was huge and significant. His skills contributed to the progress of Indiana compared to previous years.
Indiana reached the second round of playoffs in NBA in season 2011/2012. The Pacers were eliminated in that phase against Miami Heat. Miami later became the champion of the league. After one season, Leandro Barbosa chooses the next station in his lucrative career in October 2012.
What occurred with Leandro after Indiana’s experience?
This player made deal with Boston Celtics on October 18, 2012. Leandro had an injury in his knee at the beginning of 2013 in a fixture against Charlotte Bobcats. That injury kept him from the court for the rest of the 2012/2013 season. His two teammates missed the remaining of the season because of the injury. Those were Rajon Rondo and Jared Sullinger.
Barbosa was transferred to Washington Wizards in March 2013 along with Jason Collins, while Jordan Crawford went in the opposite direction. An interesting fact is that Leandro never played for Washington in an official game.
Which team was his next destination?
His next destination was the Brazilian club Pinheiros. Leandro agreed with Pinheiros in the fall of 2013. Barbosa scored 20 points, made 3 rebounds, and had 3 assists per game.
After only two months in Brazil, this player decided to return to NBA. He agreed with Phoenix and put his signature on the 10-day contract. His best performance came in a game against New York Knicks when he had 21 points on his account. Phoenix’s board liked the services which were provided by the Brazilian player.
They decided to offer him the next contract until the end of the 2013/2014 season. Unfortunately, Leandro Barbosa got injured in March and missed the rest of the season.
Which was the next station for Barbosa?
Leandro agreed with Golden State Warriors to play for them. The contract was made in September 2014. Barbosa had an excellent performance in a game against Philadelphia in December, 2014. This player had 17 points on his account in a win against the 76ers. The hero of our story finally became the champion of the NBA as his Warriors won the big final game against Cleveland.
Leandro remained a member of Golden State for the next season. He helped them tremendously in a winning streak of 73 games which beat Chicago’s record of 72 victories. His team lost the Final game against Cleveland despite leading 3-1 in wins.
Which was last Leandro’s NBA club?
Barbosa put his signature on a multi-year contract with the Suns and became their member for the first time. It happened on July 19, 2016. Leandro had his best night at the third stint in Phoenix when he scored 21 points in a 119-115 victory over LA Lakers.
It was an amazing performance by this player and he proved his quality on a big stage again. However, in the summer of 2017, Phoenix waved him. It is supposed to be his final season in NBA.
What did Barbosa do after NBA?
Leandro started playing in Big3, Cube’s and Kwatinetz’s project. Barbosa signed in 2021 for Ball Hogs, Fireball’s team. Leandro Barbosa made an influence on the Ball Hogs game right away. His teammates were Spencer Hawes and Brian Scalabrine as captain.
This player was second-best in scoring in the whole league in his debut season. The hero of our paragraphs was the best in assists and ended the season in second place in the category assist to turnover ratio. Ball Hogs finished the fourth season with a 3-5 score in 8th place of Big 3 standing. They didn’t qualify for the playoff. Here are some of his best moves in season 4:
Did Leandro play for Ball Hogs in 2022?
This player stayed in the Ball Hogs roster for the fifth season. Leandro Barbosa became captain of this squad. His teammates were Jodie Meeks and Will McDonald.
His second season in Big3 was marked by injuries and he missed a lot of games in 2022. Leandro’s team ended the regular part of the season with one victory and five defeats. Ball Hogs took twelfth place and failed to qualify for the Best Four tournament. It was another disappointment for Barbosa’s hopes and team ambitions. Things didn’t click again and they will have to wait until next season to try to attack the title.
Leandro Barbosa, a Brazilian giant star, is a real symbol of dedication and hard-working. His attractiveness on the court is a consequence of his training, practice, and preparation for the games. The audience is seeing his magical skills in the games, but they don’t see his attitude off the court.
Significant NBA and Big 3 careers are behind him. His focus is on winning new titles in Fireball. He doesn’t plan to stop. We are sure that Barbosa doesn’t lack motivation for that effort. It’s inspiring to imagine him on the Big3’s court next season. Isn’t it?
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