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Through 14 games, Barbosa is averaging 6.9 points and 1.6 assists over 14 minutes per game. The Celtics expected offense from the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year, but the revelation has been Barbosa's effectiveness on the defensive end. Just look at Friday's win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, when Barbosa was held scoreless for just the second time since his arrival. Rivers couldn't have been happier with Barbosa's play because Barbosa still impacted the game as a serviceable part-time ball-handler (two assists in 11 minutes) and a full-time agitator to the opposing ball-handler. "It's funny, he didn't score a point and I thought his defensive pressure was extremely effective tonight," Rivers said after Friday's game. "He has that reputation of being an offensive player. What we have found since getting him, he's a heck of a defensive player. He has the ability to put pressure on the ball. That's something we didn't know." ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Leandro Barbosa 

Tim Bontemps: Bogans was telling the ref that he wasn't trying to hurt Barbosa (and he clearly wasn't). Pierce kept say, "That's around the neck." Twitter @TimBontemps

Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Leandro Barbosa, Keith Bogans, Referees 

Sean Grande: Doc on Barbosa starting for Rondo: "80% of the playbook is gone...at least." Twitter @SeanGrandePBP

Boston Celtics, Leandro Barbosa 

A. Sherrod Blakely: #CelticsTalk: Leandro Barbosa did not sign with the #Celtics until Oct. 18, but Danny Ainge said the C's reached out to him on July 1. Twitter @SherrodbCSN

Boston Celtics, Danny Ainge, Leandro Barbosa 

He remains optimistic and views Leandro Barbosa‘s late signing with the Boston Celtics and Eddy Curry signing with Dallas just days before the start of the season as hope that he’ll, too, soon find a new home. “Ultimately, I have to stay ready, which I am, as far as in the gym, and stay positive,” Howard said. “I don’t think my career’s over.” Other notable players still looking for a team: Guards: Derek Fisher, Gilbert Arenas (in talks with Chinese team), Baron Davis, Earl Boykins, Mickael Pietrus, Michael Redd, Maurice Evans, Jason Kapono. Forwards/Centers: Kenyon Martin, Shawne Williams, Quentin Richardson, Bobby Simmons, Bill Walker, Jamario Moon, Renaldo Balkman, Ryan Gomes, Troy Murphy, Josh Powell, Derrick Caracter, Ben Wallace, Greg Oden, Sean Williams, Tony Battie, Mehmet Okur. NBA.com

Free Agency, Michael Redd, Derek Fisher, Gilbert Arenas, Troy Murphy, Kenyon Martin, Mickael Pietrus, Derrick Caracter, Bill Walker, Ryan Gomes, Josh Powell, Shawne Williams, Josh Howard, Ben Wallace, Sean Williams, Leandro Barbosa, Jamario Moon, Mehmet Okur, Quentin Richardson, Jason Kapono, Tony Battie, Baron Davis, Greg Oden, Earl Boykins, Renaldo Balkman, Bobby Simmons, Maurice Evans 

Leandro Barbosa also ran through his first practice as a Celtic today, and for someone who hasn’t played since last spring (with the Pacers), was in remarkably good basketball shape. “I didn’t play that much in Brazil, but enough that I felt I was ready,” said the veteran guard. “We didn’t really go full court today, but we’ll probably scrimmage more tomorrow, so we’ll see how that goes.” Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Leandro Barbosa 

Leandro Barbosa: “You know my country hasn’t been in the Olympics for 16 years and coming back to the Olympics, we thought we had an opportunity to get a medal. Unfortunately it wasn’t this time. “But I think we did a great job for so many years not going to the Olympics, we got fifth place. We have the Olympics next time in Brazil and I think the opportunity [to medal] is very, very high next time.” Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Leandro Barbosa, Brazil, Olympics 

When asked if he would consider playing for his country in 2016 at age 33, he said: “Yeah, yeah, I’m there definitely. It’s a great environment, energy. It’s different than anything that I’ve been through so I am more than happy to be enjoying the national team again.” Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Leandro Barbosa, Brazil, Olympics 

Barbosa was waiting to hear from the Los Angeles Lakers when he decided to take the Celtics’ bid. “The Lakers were interested in me, but I think Boston would be better for me,” he said. “I don’t know why. My agent, we had that talk and he said it would be great for me to be here. It’s the kind of situation I’m looking for, especially to play with Rondo. He likes to run, and I love to run, so I think it will work really well. “There were talks, a lot of talks of (the Lakers) and my agent. And I had a lot of talk with Steve (Nash). We are kind of close as friends. But nothing happened, so it happened here.” Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Leandro Barbosa 

Leandro Barbosa arrived in Boston from Brazil and was working out prior to the Celtics’ 88-79 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in their exhibition finale Sunday at TD Garden, although he is being delayed because of work visa issues. Neither he nor the Celtics know what role he will fill. The Celtics signed Barbosa to a one-year deal for the veteran minimum to spell Courtney Lee, Rajon Rondo, Jason Terry, and Avery Bradley. Barbosa, 29, is not a natural point guard and might be lost in the shuffle once Bradley returns from shoulder surgery. Barbosa told coach Doc Rivers he just wanted to be part of a championship contender. Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Leandro Barbosa 

Rondo on Leandro Barbosa, who is expected to join the Celtics for Saturday’s game: “It’s big for me, I won’t have to play as many minutes and take a toll on my body. And with Barbosa in the game, the speed is going to continue to stay the same when I go out. He can create his own shots, make plays for teammates, and also can score the ball. I think it’s a great pickup.” Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Rajon Rondo, Leandro Barbosa 

Asked where the 6-3 Barbosa will fit in to the Celt scheme, Rivers said, “I don’t know yet. I haven’t seen him, don’t know the condition he’s in or anything like that. we’ll just wait and see. I love what he’s done. “I love his speed, his ability to handle the ball. we don’t have a backup point (guard), but we have another ballhandler. Our theory is if we throw three ballhandlers out on the floor, someone can bring the ball up — and that’s the way we’ll play with our second unit.” … Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Leandro Barbosa 

Guard Leandro Barbosa did not join the Celtics for a morning shootaround at the Barclay’s Center and is not expected to be with team for Thursday night’s exhibition game against the Brooklyn Nets. Barbosa has agreed to a contract with the Celtics but the deal has not been finalized, according to a team source. Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Leandro Barbosa 

Leandro Barbosa: I am very happy. I think every basketball player who starts to play as a kid thinks about Boston Celtics or Lakers or Bulls. Basketeria

Boston Celtics, Leandro Barbosa 

Leandro Barbosa: Mother of God, it seems like a dream to me. Feels like I'm born again. It's like when I entered the draft, that's how I'm feeling now, you know? I'm happy, I'm happy, yes. Basketeria

Boston Celtics, Leandro Barbosa 

Adrian Wojnarowski: Free agent guard Leandro Barbosa has reached agreement on a one-year deal with the Boston Celtics, league sources tell Yahoo! Sports. Twitter @WojYahooNBA

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Leandro Barbosa 

Barbosa's one-year, veteran minimum deal gives the Celtics 14 players with guaranteed contracts, one short of the NBA maximum. CSNNE.com

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Leandro Barbosa 

Paul Coro: Free agent Leandro Barbosa told @balanacesta that he talked to the #Suns. It must've been a one-way talk. Suns aren't pursuing him. Twitter

Phoenix Suns, Free Agency, Leandro Barbosa 

Howard Beck: I don't mean to question Leandro Barbosa's reporting on Leandro Barbosa, but I'm told Nets aren't likely to sign Leandro Barbosa. Twitter

Brooklyn Nets, Free Agency, Leandro Barbosa 

In an interview with a Brazilian website, Leandro Barbosa says the Nets are pursuing him harder than any other NBA team. The 6'2" combo guard tells Fabio Balassiano of Bala na Cesta that the Nets are one of three teams who contacted him but Brooklyn "actually pursued us the hardest." A league source denied the Nets have serious interest in Barbosa, despite his claims. NetsDaily

Brooklyn Nets, Free Agency, Leandro Barbosa