Today’s OKC Thunder and Their Historic NBA Counterparts

#6 – Current Thunder Player – Steven Adams

David’s Historic Counterpart – Kurt Rambis

Stats per 36 minutes:

Think back to the 1980s and “Showtime” basketball in Los Angeles and you picture fast-breaks, dunks, sky-hooks and goggled glasses. That last one’s a stretch but for all the success of Magic, Worthy and Kareem, none of it might have happened if not for the goon-ish defense of Kurt Rambis. He was an intrinsic player for those Lakers squads, grabbing that extra rebound or giving an extra (and sometimes dirty) foul to stop an opposing player. For all the glitter and bright lights that those teams are normally associated with, Rambis’ counter-culture attitude and appearance was a big hit with the fans at the Fabulous Forum.

As for Adams, he’s only finished his second year in the NBA and still has room to grow. But his hard work, propensity for pissing off opposing players and tough attitude have made him a fan-favorite at the ‘Peake.

And the facial hair? Well, that’s just a bonus…

Next: #5 - The Low-Post Presence