I'm not really for it, but there have been several things I've noticed about the Brazilian Blur:
1.He's only 29. Has he really shrunk down that much since his days in Phoenix? I think it's the matter of him being in the wrong systems since 2010.
2.He plays better next to a pure point guard like with Nash in Phoenix and Calderon in Toronto. Rondo could bring out the best in his game.
3.When Avery comes back, he is most definitely the starting 2 while Lee and Terry will be our back-up guards. If we have Barbosa starting while Avery's out, Lee and Terry get more experience playing together.
I want Lee starting, but Barbosa at the starting 2 might not be that bad of an idea.
I'm really not sure. I think of JET as an end-of-career rental, and Barbosa as a fill-in.
In a sense, the 3-guard rotation of the future involves Rondo/Lee/Bradley, with Lee starting, IMO. JET will bolster things while Bradley continues to prove himself and both Brad/Lee refine their games,but his minutes will probably decline over time.
For now, we have a 4-guard rotation (spoiled as we are), and with Bradley out and recovering along slowly, Lee can secure that starting spot and Barbosa can get minutes around the main 3 guards.
So Barbosa is important, mainly because he shifts JET or Bradley to PG more if needed, meaning he's great for depth (and resting Rondo, which we never talk about). But not starting.
Anyway, Barbosa is looking for a spot to shine and earn a better (mid level) deal next time, and this is a good place for that in the early months of the season. But Bradley will end that, Shirley.
Prediction: After several DNP-CD's, Doc will be asked about Barbosa and will be quoted as saying, "No doubt, he's going to help us win games this year" while continuing to sit him.