“The Blur” is back in the Bay Area.
Following his decision to retire as a player, the Golden State Warriors announced former guard Leandro Barbosa would join Steve Kerr’s staff as a player-mentor coach.
Over his 14-year career in the NBA, Barbosa spent a pair of seasons in Golden State, winning the championship alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green in 2015. After leaving the NBA in 2017, Barbosa spent two seasons playing in his home country of Brazil.
Via @WarriorsPR on Twitter:
The Warriors have named Leandro Barbosa Player Mentor Coach as part of Head Coach Steve Kerr's staff. Barbosa spent two seasons with the Warriors, helping the franchise capture its first NBA title in 40 years during his first season with the club in 2014-15. pic.twitter.com/BWMuAL9u3w
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) September 14, 2020
In a conference call with Bay Area media, Barbosa revealed his roles as a player mentor coach would include sitting on “the back of the bench” on game day and working out with the players on the court during practice. Barbosa said he’s been texting with Kerr over the past week about a position with Golden State.
I’ll be on the court and the practice facility, I also will be practicing with the guys because I’m capable, I’m still in shape. On a game day, I will be on the back of the bench. I’ll be talking to the players as all the experience that I have over the years that I play on the NBA. I think I have a chance to kind of talk to them and make them understand what this business is all about. I’m looking forward to doing that. I guess this is my role. I had a big conversation with Steve [Kerr] today this morning, and over the week, when we were trying to make it happen for me to come back and my role is going to be this one.
Listen to Barbosa’s full interview via Warriors SoundCloud:
In two years with the Warriors, Barbosa averaged 6.7 points on 46.8% shooting from the field with 1.6 boards and 1.4 assists in 15.4 minutes per contest. Along with a championship ring, Barbosa’s career trophy case includes an NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 2007 with the Phoenix Suns.
Barbosa will have the opportunity to work with a Golden State’s young backcourt that includes Jordan Poole, Mychal Mulder, Ky Bowman and a potential top draft pick.
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