In his first era with the Suns, Leandro Barbosa benefited heavily from three guaranteed Ring of Honor members, Steve Nash (enshrined in 2015), Amar’e Stoudemire, and Shawn Marion. He further contributed from Head Coach Mike D’Antoni’s instant offense which allowed the speedy Brazilian to fly around the court with Road Runner-like speed (earning him the sound effect of ‘beep beep,’) while dashing to the rim for quick-as-lightning layups and dropping back for wide-open three’s.
That core of star players are not as successful as they would eventually be without the services of Barbosa and his offense off the bench.