The other side of Leandro Barbosa

Another great piece from CSNNE's Jessica Camerato. In a revealing interview, Leandro Barbosa talks about his absence from the team in December and being away from his family in Brazil.

Ainge denies Barbosa trade demand rumors

First Barbosa denied it, now Ainge does as well.

Leandro Barbosa of Boston Celtics hasn't requested trade, according to Danny Ainge - ESPN Boston

Ainge said Thursday he was unfamiliar with the ESPN Brazil report and while he has had discussions with Barbosa about his role with the team, there have been no trade demands. "I think it's been hard for [Barbosa] not to get an opportunity to play as much as he's wanted, but we have said from the beginning, even before he signed here, that minutes might be difficult to come by, because we were deep at that position, and he still chose to come here," Ainge said. "Actually, early in the year he played more than I expected him to play, and he played pretty well. So I think that we have had a couple of conversations, just about his role and where it went and he seemed satisfied with it. But he's never demanded or asked to be traded or any of those things at all."

Barbosa denies ESPN Brazil story

Per Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald, Leandro Barbosa wants to stay with the Celtics.

NBA Trade Rumors: Leandro Barbosa has requested trade, expects one soon

In an interview with ESPN Brazil, the Celtics guard says that he's asked Danny Ainge for a trade, but the Celtics see value in the instant offense that The Brazilian Blur provides off the bench.