By Jerry Browneastvalleytribune.com,
Dec. 14, 2007
After taking 68 shots in the previous four games and on the heels of a 4-for-17 effort against Miami, Leandro Barbosa took only six shots in 26 minutes We d n e s d ay and scored five points — his third-lowest output of the season.
But coach Mike D’Antoni said no one from the Suns encouraged Barbosa to be more selective and said he wants his guard to remain aggressive.
“He’s hesitating on his shot right now,” D’Antoni said. “He’s got a good heart, and he knows he’s 4-for-17 and he doesn’t want to do that. He wants to be a good teammate. You love a kid like that because he’s just trying to do what’s right. We try to tell him to be aggressive and he’s doing so dang good he can get a shot whenever he wants to.
“I want him to play with his instincts and talent. I just want him to be the L.B. that has come to be the (NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year last year) and one of the best players in the league. That’s all, and he will ... he’ll do that.”
COPYRIGHT 2007, EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE. Used with permission.