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Steven Adams: OKC Thunder Season In Review

By Heather Koontz

Nov 25, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) warms up before the game against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) warms up before the game against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Steven Adams
Apr 7, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Furthermore, Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

As expected, Adams initially took on his new role with gusto, providing much needed help from both the offensive and defensive ends.

In fact, Adams ended the regular season with career highs in several defensive books, including:

  • 7.7 average rebounds per game
  • 1.1 assists per game
  • 1.1 steals per game

Offensively, it was especially apparent that Adams had done his homework last summer. His free throw percentage increased to a career high of 61%, and his field goal percentage remained consistent at 57%. With a brand new hook shot (an ambidextrous one, at that) and an expanded arsenal of floating moves, Adams became a threat on the scoring end of the court.

Furthermore, in the shadow of Russell Westbrook‘s 190,000 triple-doubles, Adams earned16 admirable double-double finishes.

When the OKC Thunder finished 6th in the Western Conference, hopes were high. With players like Steven Adams, the team was sure to fight hard. But unfortunately, it just didn’t go down like that.

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In fact, Adams’ stats fell. Over the course of five playoff games, Adams took only 28 shots. His free throw percentage plummeted to 36%. He averaged only 8 points per game, in contrast to the 11.3 he was taking home in the regular season.

Call it pressure. Or exhaustion. Whatever you call it, it just didn’t work out.

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