Warriors' Barbosa credits his longevity to horse medicine
Leandro Barbosa, 33, has lasted 13 seasons in the NBA without losing much quickness - even after undergoing knee surgery in 2013. The speedy Golden State Warriors reserve guard is averaging 6.2 points in 13.4 minutes per game in the playoffs, and credits his durability to an extract from arnica do mato, a South American plant.
A plant originally intended to aid the recovery of equines, according to the New York Times' Scott Cacciola.
"It's a medicine you give horses," the Brazilian-born Barbosa said. "Whenever they get hurt, it helps them recover very quickly. Because they have to run."
He added that it "burns going down" and makes the people dizzy if they're not used to it.
According to Cacciola, teammate Festus Ezeli tried the elixir and was repulsed by it.
"I almost threw up," Ezeli said. "That's one of those things where I need to know scientifically that it really works for me to keep doing it. Because it's disgusting."
Barbosa swears by it, however, and has had the "viscous green liquid" cleared by the Warriors' medical staff. He claims to bathe in it, not unlike how Amar'e Stoudemire immerses himself in red wine.
The veteran Barbosa also said he lives a clean life, as he no longer has to deal with the temptations of being young in the NBA.
"I try to keep myself out of trouble," he said.