HoopsHype.com Rumors

“It’s going to be amazing, big. The national team is going to be here, but I don’t know if I’m going to be on the list,” Nene said, while shrugging his shoulders. Now he knows. Brazil Coach Ruben Magnano announced on Thursday that Nene, Indiana Pacers guard Leandro Barbosa, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao and Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs would be on his 15-player list for the national team. Only 12 players will be in London. Washington Post

Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, Tiago Splitter, Leandro Barbosa, Anderson Varejao, Nene, Brazil, Olympics 

Nene had asked to be released from the team before the FIBA Americas championship last summer, citing “personal” and “contractual” reasons. Fans and other Brazilain players were critical of the decision, but Nene was a free agent and likely didn’t want to risk injury. He eventually signed a five-year, $65-million contract with the Denver Nuggets before getting traded to the Wizards for JaVale McGee and Ronny Turiaf at the deadline. Barbosa also backed out of the tournament, but Brazil advanced without either player. Magnano said in a news conference that he added both players with the hope of fielding the best team. “I decided to give them another chance after personally talking to them,” Magnano said. “I wouldn’t call up a player if I didn’t have any trust in him.” Washington Post

Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, Tiago Splitter, Leandro Barbosa, Anderson Varejao, Nene, Brazil, Olympics 

Jorge Sierra: Wizards big man Nenê and Pacers guard Leandro Barbosa are among the players in Brazil's list for the Olympics. The Brazilian National Team did great at the FIBA Americas tournament without them last year and there was some backlash in the country against both Nenê and Barbosa, who passed on playing. In the end, pragmatism kicked in. Brazil needs to be at full force to compete for the medals. Sulia

Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards, Leandro Barbosa, Nene, Brazil, Olympics 

Ryan Wolstat: If there's a nicer dude in the NBA than @Leandrinho Barbosa I'm not sure I've met him. Pop his head in Raps locker room, and players went nuts Twitter

Indiana Pacers, Leandro Barbosa 

Woodson had a long talk with Smith in the wake of Tuesday’s ejection with 10.7 seconds left in Indiana for throwing down Leandro Barbosa. “I told him I’m going to continue to coach him as long as I’m coaching the team," Woodson said at the Thursday morning shootaround at Amway Center. “I told him I’m not going to let him off the hook. I want his shorts pulled up. I want him to look presentable. Be a professional. That’s what it’s all about.’’ New York Post

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Leandro Barbosa, JR Smith 

Howard Beck: The NBA has downgraded J.R. Smith's flagrant foul, from a level-2 to a level-1. Twitter

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Leandro Barbosa, JR Smith 

Not only won’t the NBA suspend Knicks guard J.R. Smith but it has downgraded his infraction that occurred with 10 seconds left in their loss in Indiana on Tuesday when he threw Leandro Barbosa to the floor, causing his ejection. According to an NBA source, the league downgraded Smith’s foul on Barbosa from a Flagrant 2 to a Flagrant 1, essentially ruling he didn't need to be ejected. A flagrant foul 2, according to the rulebook, is “unnecessary and excessive contact committed by a player against an opponent. It is an unsportsmanlike act and the offender is ejected following confirmation by instant replay review. The offender will be subject to a fine not exceeding $50,000 and/or suspension by the Commissioner.’’ New York Post

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Leandro Barbosa, JR Smith 

Leandro Barbosa said he and Knicks guard JR Smith talked after Tuesday's game. Smith picked up a flagrant 2, which has been reduced to a flagrant 1, after he threw Barbosa to the ground in the final seconds of the Pacers' come-from-behind victory. "We’re all good," Barbosa said. "We talked to each other. I was waiting for him to do some action, and when he did, I was prepared. If I wasn’t I could have got myself in trouble." Sulia

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Leandro Barbosa, JR Smith 

Mike Woodson called J.R. Smith's behavior 'unprofessional' last and said he planned to talk to the volatile Sixth man about throwing down Leandro Barbosa down and getting ejected late in Knicks collapse last night. Knicks need Smith to be more professional and productive with so many players out. Woodson said he probably should not have had Smith on the floor when he saw him getting frustrated. Sulia

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Leandro Barbosa, JR Smith 

J.R. Smith said something under his breath yet loud enough for reporters to hear, that the media wanted to talk to him about hm throwing down Leandro Barbosa because it's trying to 'sell papers.' Smith unnecessarily taking down Barbosa is not selling papers in NEw York, Long Island or Lakewood, NJ. Sulia

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Leandro Barbosa, JR Smith 

Granger has gone from being angry at Barbosa last season to being his teammate. Granger took exception to Barbosa attempting a shot with 6.8 seconds remaining and the outcome already determined in a game between the Pacers and Toronto Raptors in March 2011. Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Danny Granger, Leandro Barbosa 

"If I was on him, I would have took his head off and been suspended for a game for a flagrant foul," Granger said after the game that night. "If I was on him, I would have took his neck off him. That's unsportsmanlike. I would have taken his head off and busted his lip." Granger laughed about the comment after the team's morning shootaround Friday. "We're best friends now," he said. "He's my favorite teammate now. We were friends before that. It was just a game situation. "I had went down to Brazil to play in his charity game three years ago. It was a heat of the moment thing." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Danny Granger, Leandro Barbosa 

Jorge Sierra: Arturo Barbosa tells HoopsHype his brother Leandro is happy about the trade to Indiana, but also very emotional about it. "(Leandro) was drafted by Brian Colangelo and they are very close since 2003," Arturo said. "He would like to be with the Raptors because he had confidence that the team could have a reaction and then go to playoffs." Twitter

Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Leandro Barbosa 

Jose Manuel Calderon: Good luck to @Leandrinho Barbosa, i'm gonna miss you. One of the best teammates i ever have. Twitter

Toronto Raptors, Jose Manuel Calderon, Leandro Barbosa 

Danny Granger: Welcoming my new teammate Leandro Barbosa!! All past transgressions are now forgiven!! Twitter

Indiana Pacers, Trade, Danny Granger, Leandro Barbosa 

The Pacers did NOT acquire Anthony Carter as part of the deal that sent Leandro Barbosa to Indiana for a second round pick. The Pacers still have about $7 million in cap space and a roster spot available with about 20 minutes remaining before the trade deadline ends. Sulia

Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Leandro Barbosa, Anthony Carter 

Marc J. Spears: Indiana Pacers acquiring guard Leandro Barbosa in a trade with Toronto Raptors, source tells Y! Twitter

Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Leandro Barbosa 

David Aldridge: Source confirms @Marc J. Spears report that Pacers will acquire Leandro Barbosa from Toronto. Source says Raptors will get a second-rounder. Twitter

Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Leandro Barbosa 

David Aldridge: Pacers wanted to get a scorer for the stretch run. Had $14 million in cap space available. Twitter

Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Leandro Barbosa 

Marc J. Spears: Raptors get a second-round pick in exchange from Pacers for Barbosa. Twitter

Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Leandro Barbosa