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2015 NBA Playoffs: Former Suns Players On Other Teams

By Eric Saar

Jan 24, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Joe Johnson (7) and Dallas Mavericks small forward Shawn Marion (0) go after a loose ball during the second half at Barclays Center. The Brooklyn Nets won the game 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Joe Johnson (7) and Dallas Mavericks small forward Shawn Marion (0) go after a loose ball during the second half at Barclays Center. The Brooklyn Nets won the game 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 21, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Leandro Barbosa (19) drives in against Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke (3) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Leandro Barbosa (19) drives in against Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke (3) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Leandro Barbosa

New Team: Golden State Warriors

Role with team: Backup point guard, scoring force off the bench, veteran presence

Years in Phoenix: 7 (2003-10)

Comments: Remember when Barbosa was the Sixth Man of the Year with the Suns? Barbosa was there during all the good (and some of the bad) times during the last decade, including all the Nash years. The Brazilian Blur was such a beloved fan favorite and was even briefly brought back before he got injured last season. He was so fast, could get to the basket at will and played with a great intensity. Now, he might get his championship ring.

Apr 8, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter (15) celebrates after scoring during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter (15) celebrates after scoring during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

Vince Carter

New Team: Memphis Grizzlies

Role with Grizzlies: Backup shooting guard, veteran presence, scoring punch off the bench

Years with Phoenix: 1 (2010-11)

Comments: Vinsanity came to the Valley of the Suns for just a short trip. Carter was also part of that desperate attempt by Suns management to reload after trading Nash and letting Amar’e Stoudemire go in free agency. It wasn’t really the best of Vinsanity, but we did get some explosive dunks and his signature celebration after made three-pointers. Now he’s in the perfect spot on the Grizzlies. I always wished his time could have been better, longer. He would be kind of perfect for this current Suns team.

Apr 4, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Amar’e Stoudemire (1) dunks past Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Amar’e Stoudemire (1) dunks past Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Amar’e Stoudemire

New team: Dallas Mavericks

Role with Mavericks: Backup power forward, another veteran presence, scoring punch off the bench

Years with Phoenix: 8 (2002-10)

Comments: Those Stoudemire years were pretty spectacular weren’t they? He was quicker and had better footwork than all the centers and some of the power forwards, was bigger and stronger than all the power forwards and more explosive than all of them. Plus his jumper quickly became lethal. It was bittersweet when the Suns let him go to New York to chase the massive $100 million contract as they missed his talent, but they knew his knees wouldn’t let him play at the level everyone was accustomed to. After a pretty brutal stretch in the Big Apple, now he’s in Dallas vying for a championship; though that Dallas team is probably not even going to be in the Western Conference Finals this year.

Robin Lopez

New Team: Portland Trail Blazers

Role with Trailblazers: Starting center, defender and grabber of rebounds

Years with Phoenix: 4 (2008-12)

Comments: The Suns drafting Robin Lopez perpetuated the idea that Phoenix will never get the better of any brothers (Brook Lopez), though Robin thriving in Portland and the oft-injured Brook not thriving as much in Brooklyn has somewhat closed the gap. Robin was okay in Phoenix as he got both the highs his first two years with the great Nash teams and the two years afterward of horrible awfulness. Also, his vendetta with all the NBA mascots (seemingly except the Suns’ Gorilla) is pretty funny.

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