Steven Adams busy offseason included camps, spending time with his OKC Thunder teammates and preparing for next season.
This offseason Steven Adams has been extremely active spending a ton of time back home in his native New Zealand. While there Adams has been seen supporting his local team the Tall Blacks. Adams was spotted working out with the team earlier this summer. Further, it was reported Adams committed to playing with his native team when the next round of Olympic qualifying occurs.
Although all the way in New Zealand, Steven Adams has still spent time with teammates (Andre Roberson) and his coach Billy Donovan. Both player and coach made the trip overseas to participate in Adams’ children’s camps. Marc Hinton of stuff offers insight into Adams camps and his time at home.
"There were plenty of familiar faces on the Thunder contingent who accompanied their 24-year-old Kiwi centre on his annual trip home to host his series of kids’ coaching camps in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland on Monday to wrap up another hugely successful visit down under."
Opportunities for second career aplenty:
In addition to working on his game Adams has been a big hit with his local police department who recently offered the OKC Thunder a trade for him.
https://twitter.com/theScore/status/901140870698631168
But, that wasn’t the most exciting news for Steven Adams. After shaving off his mustache fans went to social media with a flurry. At the time many wondered what this meant for his bromance with fellow Stache Brother Enes Kanter. Would they need to come up with a new duo name?
Yet the more exciting part of this move was one fan who launched a petition for Adams to make a guest appearance on HBO’s wildly successful Game of Thrones series. As Thunderous Intentions detailed the petition outlined how the mustache-less Adams was perfect to play a Dothraki,
Adams excited to suit up with George:
As training camp nears though it’s Adams excitement over playing with his new teammate Paul George that is on his mind. Asked about his thoughts on his new teammate Adams spoke of how the franchise does a great job of adding value. He further elaborated saying in this instance (Paul George) he just happens to all be a great player. In an interview with Marc Hinton of stuff the center commented on the new addition:
"“The front office does a great job of analysing them as a person and then bringing them in. We’re just lucky that Paul George is really, really good [as well].”"
In the same article Adams offers:
"“He’s an all-round great player, and it’s hard to stop a guy like that. The things we hear are he’s a great guy on the court who can do everything. It will be easy for him to fit in with us, as we have a lot of great guys who welcome players. I think it will work out.”"
Steven Adams should reap benefits from George and Patterson additions:
More from Thunderous Intentions
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- 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
It’s understandable why Adams would be keen for this season to start. Last year with the losses of Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka he experienced a lot more pressure particularly on the offensive end. Now with two All-Stars taking the pressure off the team it opens all sorts of opportunities for the big man.
It appeared the 7′ center regressed last season, but in fairness he had to do so much more with the loss of key personnel. As much as the loss of Durant stung, for Adams it was more about Ibaka’s departure. Serge provided floor spacing and a secondary defender. Without Ibaka on the squad Adams was faced with getting double teamed in the post and had far less room to function.
Theoretically the addition of Patrick Patterson should be equally exciting for Steven Adams. Like Ibaka, Patterson will provide floor spacing and is a quality defender.
For now, Steven Adams can finish up his kids camps and this weekend will host the golf tournament named after him.