Leandro Barbosa Rumors

Chris DeMarco is the assistant coach who works most closely with Thompson, but there’s no better sparring partner on the staff than Leandro Barbosa. That’s who lined up across from Thompson the first day he was cleared for contact and many of the days after. Barbosa is recently retired, but still lightning-quick and in playing shape. “Oh, man, that first month,” Thompson grunts. “Guarding Barbosa the first month was so hard for me. He’s still quicker than a lot of guys in the league. I’d draw back to all the times I’d guard him in the past, like, man, I used to be able to stay in front of LB. Now it’s different.”