<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">In the world of the Suns, there is no such thing as too much speed. That is why coach Mike D'Antoni didn't rule out the possibility of starting the ultra-quick Leandro Barbosa tonight against the Jazz. "We're looking at it," D'Antoni said. With Kurt Thomas and Boris Diaw on the court together, the Suns feel they have a tendency to slow the team's typically blistering pace. Putting Barbosa in the lineup would solve that. It would also move Shawn Marion to the power forward position and force Diaw to the bench. Through much of the first two games, Diaw has looked out of sync to some, out of shape to others. In the season opener against the Lakers on Tuesday, he took just two shots in 30 minutes before fouling out. Then in 14 first-half minutes the next night, he made one shot and had one assist. D'Antoni didn't have him in the lineup to start the second half, and Diaw's assertiveness seemed to improve when he returned to the game. "Boris came back and was much more aggressive," D'Antoni said. In the first minute upon re-entering, Diaw hit a jumper and blocked Chris Kaman's shot inside. He finished the half 6 of 7 shooting in 17 minutes. "I think I had more opportunities, so I just tried to take it when I had opportunities," he said. "I just tried to attack when I saw something open up." Diaw said he's playing at about the same weight as last year and that he hasn't felt out of shape. "I feel pretty good," he said. "I'm not getting tired running." Barbosa had 30 points in the season opener and scored 11 in 35 minutes on Wednesday.</div> Source
I think that when they are playing against a team who has a star guard or SF, Raja should start. But otherwise, I can't see why Leandro's starting is bad. He's quick, great drive-in and he fits very well into the Suns' fast pace.
barbosa is one of the most underrated players. he's really quick and gets it done by the basket and the outside. great pickup by suns
Well he wasn't really a "pickup", they traded for him on draft night, but yes it was a good move for them back then.