Leandro Barbosa, known as the Brazilian Blur, spoke to a Brazilian Sports newspaper Lance and LB accessed the late-season, blockbuster acquisition of Shaquille O’Neal to the Suns.

Apparently, in the shocking statement, Barbosa thinks the trade hurt the Suns in the short-term.

“With the arrival of Shaq, we lost our speed – our main characteristic,” Barbosa said. “We didn’t have time to mesh. This ended up hurting us. Shaq will be very useful, but it’ll be necessary to change the way the team plays.”

Actually I am being sarcastic.  I don’t think anyone would argue, including Shaq, that the addition of the Big Cactus was detrimental to Phoenix in the short-term and in this year’s playoffs.  It’s very rare to inject a player of Shaq’s stature without making any sort of waves, and in this case, it wasn’t good waves.

I don’t find what Barbosa said as the insult that some media outlets are already trying to spin it as.  Leandro was not only on-point with his comments, he was just being truthful, and if anyone can respect that kind of honesty is Shaquille O’Neal.

Sources: Barbosa says Shaq trade hurt Suns in playoffs (RotoWorld), Suns Plan More Interviews (Arizona Republic)