Oklahoma City Thunder: Film Festival Steven Adams in the post
By Gideon Lim
In the seventh episode of Thunderous Intentions’ Film Festival, we look into OKC Thunder center Steven Adams and his offensive contributions year.
The Film Festival is an offseason column where fans get to imagine themselves huddled in the film room with each and every Thunder player. Today, the spotlight is on Oklahoma City’s resident Kiwi: Steven Adams.
Who dat guy
One season ago, Coach Nick from Bballbreakdown explained why the Thunder was one of the league’s best pick-and-roll teams. Specifically, he attributed the team’s success to two different pick-and-roll pairings – Kevin Durant with Steven Adams and Russell Westbrook with Serge Ibaka.
On the surface, the Westbrook-Adams pairing feels like it can be a seamless one too, because Westbrook spoon-feeds Adams the way he needs it. But, Ibaka, not Adams, was Westbrook’s ideal pick-and-roll partner for a reason. Steven Adams cannot open up space for Westbrook to make his all-lethal drives to the paint. In other words, if Steven Adams does not roll hard to the rim, chances are he gets lost on the perimeter.
Last season, there were times that appeared to be the case. After Steven Adams’ coming out party during the playoffs, the 24-year old started the preseason with expectations of a dependable post-game. But, before long, it became clear that any expectations Adams would become an offensive hub by himself was premature by any standards.
Related Story: Pros and cons of trading Steven Adams
Head coach Billy Donovan regularly ran plays for Adams to develop a rhythm, especially at the start of the game. But, through all the experimentation, the result was clear; Adams is most effective as a niche player. Perhaps, the niche could develop into a part-time post-up game. But, Adams was most certainly not ready to live up to the mantle as a secondary star.
Search for the Middle Earth
Offensive shortcomings aside, there are certain baselines OKC Thunder fans have come to get used to.
For example, “plays” like these add to Steven Adams’ growing cult status with fans.
On the flipside, fans have also come to accept that fancy passing like this is not going to become his full-time occupation.
Instead, by the end of the season, fans recognized Adams for settling into a steady diet of post-ups and rim runs. Therefore, this Film Festival episode will dedicate itself towards shedding light on how exactly those two plays were for the big Kiwi last season.