This article is part of our Hoops Lab series.
A bit of a different angle today. With the regular season winding down and most fantasy playoffs either in the finals or entering them next week, I don't see the need for fantasy basketball advice in the lead. Instead, I'm going to lead with something unique to this space: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu!
Most of you probably don't know, but a couple years back I started practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). Nothing serious, mainly a way to stay in shape while working out with a purpose. But I'm ultra competitive, so even if it's just a hobby, I still have a tendency to feel like I could ramp up and be really good at it. I even won the first (and to date only) tournament that I ever entered. But there is a massive difference between being good on a local level and being ready to face the best. And, I got to re-learn that lesson in a great way on Friday, when Saulo Ribiero came to my school to give a seminar.
Saulo and his brother, Xande Ribiero, are essentially the Venus and Serena Williams of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Between them, they've won the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 11 times. They are ranked No. 1 and No. 5 on BJJ Heroes' top 10 BJJ fighters of all time list. I went to Las Vegas last fall to watch the Masters World Championships and got to watch live as Saulo shredded the field and took home the gold.
So when I say that Saulo came to my school on Friday and gave a seminar to about 40 of us, I hope you can appreciate that this was similar to if Kobe Bryant walked into your local YMCA and gave a 3-hour session on some of his favorite moves to set up an open jumper. For that night, I got to rub elbows with a legend.
And I mean that literally, as I was one of the people that he called out to the mat to demonstrate on. He was teaching a position called Headquarters, and he wanted me to try to establish that position on him. He let me start the position, then proceeded to grapple with me until he ended up on top (though he did let me close my guard around him). I literally caught a cramp in my calf during the 30 seconds we were rolling, but I wasn't about to stop. How many chances do you get to go 1-on-1, even briefly, with Kobe Bryant? He obviously wasn't going all-out and was just trying to prove a point (in this case, that I was too off-balance when I went for the position), but it was still exhilarating for me. After the seminar he sought me out to shake my hand, called me his Big Guy, and told me to work on the core exercises that he showed us (of which, by the way, I couldn't do a single one). It was a great night.
So now, let's bring this back to basketball with a few (paraphrased) quotes that Saulo gave us in the seminar.
"I've got the poison and I'm not in any hurry to give it to him."
First, to appreciate it, you have to read it in a heavy Brazilian accent and picture him saying it with a big, cocky smile. Saulo was describing how he can be patient when he's rolling, knowing that he has some wicked tools to work with and just waiting until the best time to deliver. When he said it, I immediately thought of this year's Spurs. They've been slow-playing the whole season, resting starters left and right and flying under the radar in the shadow of the Warriors' quest for 73 wins. Meanwhile, the Spurs still have a shot at 70 wins and could very easily coast to the upper 60s. They definitely have the poison, and in the playoffs we'll see if their patience pays off.
"He comes in all hard like 'I can fight'…but I can fight too!"
One of my classmates, when called upon to participate in the demonstration, came in super aggressive to try to surprise the champ. Needless to say, Saulo ended up winning easily. Again, his response was delivered with a laugh as he pointed out how confident he is when someone tries to blitz him. It kind of reminded me of the Thunder, specifically in comparison to the Warriors. The Warriors are so clearly over the top with how powerful they are, but every time they play the Thunder it is a battle. I can definitely see Russell Westbrook, wearing a ridiculous outfit, sitting at the podium after a win over the Warriors and delivering that line.
"I am a technician. I don't want to muscle; technique will always win in the end."
This one, to me, spoke of the Warriors. Saulo was pointing out that he doesn't always have to be the fastest or the strongest in order to be the best, because his skills and preparation are second to none. The Warriors are exactly like that. Despite the Charles Barkleys of the world saying they're too small, they are just absurdly skilled. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are shooting technicians, and technique does often beat muscle. That should make this playoffs really fun.
Upcoming Back to Backs
SS: Bulls, Pacers, Trail Blazers
SM: none
MT: none
TW: Hornets, Cavaliers, Pistons, Clippers, Lakers, Pelicans, Thunder, Trail Blazers
WT: Rockets
TF: Heat, Spurs, Raptors
FS: Celtics, Grizzlies, Pelicans
SS: Warriors
New Additions DFS Values
Ed Davis (56 percent owned in Yahoo! leagues): Davis has been a defensive monster in limited minutes down the stretch, averaging 8.4 points, 9.0 boards, 1.6 steals, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 assists in 21.6 minutes per game over his last eight.
P.J. Tucker (42 percent): Tucker is finishing the season strong, averaging 19.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 treys in 37.5 minutes per game over his last two.
J.J. Barea (39 percent): With Deron Williams (abdominal) and now Raymond Felton (groin) battling injuries, Barea has been getting more opportunities, averaging 24.3 points, 7.0 assists and 3.0 boards with 3.0 treys in 30.3 minutes per game over his last three.
John Henson (28 percent): Henson had a productive week going, averaging 15.3 points, 7.7 boards and 3.3 blocks per game in the three games leading into Friday's clunker. On Friday, he got into foul trouble and only played 11 minutes, but in most nights he should be a productive defensive specialist down the stretch.
Hollis Thompson (23 percent): Thompson is getting steady minutes and producing for the 76ers. Over his last 10 games he is averaging 13.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 made treys and 2.0 assists in 32.1 minutes per game.
Tim Frazier (10 percent): Frazier has taken full advantage of the injury destruction in New Orleans, averaging 13.0 points, 5.2 assists, 4.1 boards and 1.0 steals per game over the last nine.
Alexis Ajinca (seven percent): Like Frazier, Ajinca has stepped into the major injury absences for the Pelicans and responded by averaging 13.8 points and 7.2 boards per game over the last five.
