Olympian Leandro Barbosa Remains Unsigned
The 2012 Olympics are over and NBA veteran Leandro Barbosa remains unsigned after personal success on the world’s biggest stage.
Barbosa led Brazil in scoring by a wide margin over the past two weeks. His 16.2 points per game and 40 percent three-point shooting at the Olympics was indicative of Barbosa’s play in the NBA over his career. Barbosa has a much bigger role on his national team and in the Quarter Finals loss to Argentina, it was Barbosa who almost led them back with a team-high 22-point performance.
Last season, Barbosa was still one of the fastest guards in the league and deserving of his “Brazilian Blur” nickname. A one-man fast break over his nine NBA seasons, Barbosa can be nearly unstoppable on straight-line drives to the basket and his career 39.1 percent three-point shooting is a constant threat.
At 29 years old, Barbosa has already played the mentor’s role in Toronto and Indiana where he has shown a willingness to play behind younger players while maintaining a strong positive and supportive voice on the floor, on the bench and in the locker room.
Barbosa would fit in as a veteran with a group of younger players or as the fireplug off the bench on a contender that may not be able to provide consistent minutes some players need. He has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers among other teams.
Barbosa is an unrestricted free agent, but accepted the risk of playing for his national team without the security of a new contract.
Productive, self-motivated and willing to play for the love of the game, there should be a spot on an NBA roster for the veteran guard.
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