Can Leandro Barbosa be the Suns franchise player?

SUNSARETHEBEST · Post #1 » by **SUNSARETHEBEST** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 9:26 pm

41 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 6 steals last night, those are MVP type numbers. Of course I'm not expecting him to put those numbers up everynight but the reason it seemed he played so well was because he got 40 minutes of playing time and he was the Suns go-to-guy.

Sure you may ask he's only averaging 13.6 points a game this season but think about it, he's comming off the bench and playing behind so many scorers but if he had the chance to get off 20 shots he can get between 20-30 every game. He has all the tools to be a go-to-guy, he can create his own shot, drive to the basket, out run other players, etc. He's even better at passing now.

So the question is, do you think Barbosa can be the Suns go-to-guy if he gets around 40 minutes of playing time a night and gets off around 20 shots? Or is he better off as a 6th man type of player like he has been?

KayZee · Post #2 » by **KayZee** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 9:39 pm

franchise player? hell no

He's good in a up tempo system but mediocre in a slower system

he can put up good numbers(again in up tempo system) but is a horrible defender and having low basketball IQ. IMO having low basketball IQ kills any possibility for anyone to be a franchise player. Franchise players do not make stupid decisions all the time.

Post #3 » by **Miklo** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 9:41 pm

I wouldn't say franchise player or go-to-guy (although possibly until Amar'e comes back he could be go-to), but I think he is fighting for a bigger role and I think he wants to perform under Gentry. I would be thrilled if you're right and if he could end up being a shorter incarnation of Joe Johnson in the run and gun.

WTFsunsFTW · Post #4 » by **WTFsunsFTW** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 10:01 pm

Posted on another thread:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/ ... der_by=pts

biskvito · Post #5 » by **biskvito** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:28 am

hes a hard worker, great teammate, but I don't think he even likes the idea of being "the man"...

Shuttlesworth · Post #6 » by **Shuttlesworth** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 1:04 am

WTFsunsFTW wrote:Posted on another thread:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/ ... der_by=pts

Holy Frack thats nuts!

JohnVancouver · Post #7 » by **JohnVancouver** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 1:12 am

biskvito wrote:hes a hard worker, great teammate, but I don't think he even likes the idea of being "the man"...

+1
A lot has to do with LB's personality; he's not built to be The Man. But he is a great offensive spark and a much-improved PG, so he has some basketball smarts. Compare his game filling in for Nash prior to this season - better court vision, passing skills way up. That indicates he's capable of learning, which a lot of guys aren't at this level.
AI is the kind of player Leandrinho is in the mold of, and even at his best AI was not a franchise player, great as he is.

Like Nash said, those are MJ-type numbers but Jordan was about intangible things beside numbers. LB is maybe just too nice a guy.

Phoenix Suns · Post #8 » by **Phoenix Suns** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 1:32 am

It's difficult to say if he can be "the man", there's no doubt he could put up between 20-25 points and average 5 rebounds and assists per game if given the chance but would he be able to get wins? This is the perfect oppurtunity for him, even though Amar'e is out it looks like Barbosa is going to be the focal point on offense these next few months and if he leads the Suns to the playoffs or they win alot of games he has a great chance to prove it.

WTFsunsFTW · Post #9 » by **WTFsunsFTW** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:26 am

He would be the first to admit he isn't a franchise guy. He isn't made for the limelight, he is made to play great bball and be a great teammate.

suns12345 · Post #10 » by **suns12345** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:27 am

i think the go to guy will be whoevers hot

acis · Post #11 » by **acis** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:32 am

and the LA fans thought i was trolling when i said he was better than Kobe

durden_tyler · Post #12 » by **durden_tyler** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:59 am

Franchise players step up/doesn't disappear in the postseason. Barbosa is kind of addicted to this disappearing act.

eastsidecrossover · Post #13 » by **eastsidecrossover** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 5:20 am

did the barbosa lover (aka Petbul) post this as another poster?

franchise player? :lol:

hell no!

barbs is a nice player, but he is not a guy that plays consistant all the time either. He is a guy that does well when he is the #2 or 3 option. that is his role and he is good at it.

dont get me wrong, the dude had a hell of a night and I was really impressed with is numbers, but I do not expect to see this again.

Mr. Sun · Post #14 » by **Mr. Sun** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 6:45 am

WTFsunsFTW wrote:Posted on another thread:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/ ... der_by=pts

Yep, Nash was very accurate when he compared LB's numbers as Jordan like *numbers*.

Astonishingly some idiots think Nash was comparing LB to Jordan as a player. Sheeesh!

Post #15 » by **TASTIC** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 8:29 pm

Yeah....nah he can't. Too many holes in his game and take Nash away you'll see his real value. He's on a good contract...

NapoleonII · Post #16 » by **NapoleonII** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 8:38 pm

This topic depresses me.

chrice · Post #17 » by **chrice** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 8:45 pm

If he played smarter and more aggressive he could be the primary scorer. But if it hasn't happened now