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Getty Leandro Barbosa of the Ball Hogs drives past Joe Johnson of the Triplets during the BIG3 competition.
Leandro Barbosa, player development coach and former baller for the Golden State Warriors, has had a busy summer. Just a few weeks ago, he helped coach the Dubs through the NBA playoffs, eventually adding a second ring to his trophy cabinet. Shortly thereafter, he was back on the field as a player in Ice Cube’s BIG3.
Flash forward to Saturday and he secured the Ball Hogs’ first win of the season against Joe Johnson and the Triplets by winning the game.
However, that’s not the only big thing happening with Barbosa this weekend. Less than two hours after his big pitch crossed the net, it was announced the 13-year-old player-turned-staffer would take a full-time bench spot.
Unfortunately for Dub Nation, that seat will not be on Steve Kerr’s bench. Instead, Barbosa will join another familiar face about 85 miles down I-80.
Barbosa went to Sacto
Barbosa was hired as an assistant to former Warriors associate head coach Mike Brown, according to a report by The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Shams made it clear Barbosa would take on a bigger role, which seems to suggest he will be on the bench and in the huddle – a full-fledged assistant – rather than serving as a player mentor.
The “Brazilian Blur” has held the latter role at Golden State since 2020, the same year he ended his playing career in his home country at Minas. He previously spent two seasons with the Warriors as a player from 2014-16 and won his first chip in 2015.
In 14 years as an Association ballplayer with five different teams, Barbosa appeared in 850 games and averaged 10.6 points, 2.1 assists and 2.0 rebounds. He was also a career 38.7% three-pointer.
Brown, meanwhile, was hired as Sacramento’s head coach while he worked with Kerr, Barbosa and the rest of the Warriors staff en route to their latest title win. He has been Kerr’s right-hand man since the 2016/17 season.
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Some of the dubs were caught off guard by Payton’s decision
Of course, Barbosa is far from the only member of the Dubs family setting off on new digs. Juan Toscano-Anderson is Lakers-tied, Otto Porter Jr. has signed to the Raptors, and Gary Payton II is moving to the Trail Blazers.
While Bay Area supporters are no doubt saddened to see them all go, Payton’s exodus is particularly troubling — and not just for fans. According to team insider Anthony Slater, people within the Warriors organization were surprised by the decision to let the breakout guard run.
About The Athletic:
They offered him the middle taxpayer which is at $6.4 million. He received more than $8 million from Portland, plus an extra year on an incentive deal…
According to sources, it has stung several in the organization. They had found Payton and not only loved him but understood the value of his unique skills. It meant winning. For the first time, they had failed to keep one of their own because they were unwilling to meet a financial demand.
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