Thunderous Intentions
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Top 15 NBA Draft picks in OKC Thunder franchise history

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JUNE 6: Oklahoma City Thunder players, from left, Kendrick Perkins #5, Kevin Durant #35, Serge Ibaka #9 and Russell Westbrook #0 celebrate with the Western Conference Finals Champions trophy following their team's victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2012 NBA Playoffs on June 6, 2012 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JUNE 6: Oklahoma City Thunder players, from left, Kendrick Perkins #5, Kevin Durant #35, Serge Ibaka #9 and Russell Westbrook #0 celebrate with the Western Conference Finals Champions trophy following their team's victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2012 NBA Playoffs on June 6, 2012 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NBA Draft - Top 15 picks All-Time
Steven Adams #12 of the OKCThunder passes the ball in front of Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz in the first half during Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Steven Adams – Potential to be best big in OKC history

2013 NBA Draft: Round 1, Pick 12 by OKC Thunder

Although there will be ample debate over Steven Adams’ selection at 12th with players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Rudy Gobert still on the board there is no denying how well Adams has fit in OKC. At the time the Thunder still had Durant so adding Giannis may have seemed like too much of a risk.

Adams seamlessly fit into the Thunder system from the start and his chemistry with Westbrook is undeniable. It feels almost fitting that as Collison retires Adams is left in his wake to take over the responsibilities of leading the frontcourt.

His entry at number eight on the list perhaps seems a little high, but with the caveat of long term potential, it is an easily defensible selection.

In his short tenure of five seasons, Adams has climbed onto the franchise All-Time lists ranking eighth in total blocks (388) and needs just over 900 rebounds until he hits the top 10 rebound list.

Trending upward:

Moving forward Adams is trending in the right direction as in each of the past two seasons he has ranked in the NBA’s top 10 for total offensive rebounds (and percentage) and in field goal percentage.

Moreover, in two of the past three seasons, he has ranked in the top seven for offensive rating and this season ranked fourth for effective field goal percentage (62.9 percent).  If only Billy Donovan could find a way to implement him more in the offense consistently he might garner additional accolades.

Sometimes a player fits a team’s culture so perfectly, and Adams fit the Thunder like a glove. When he hangs up his sneakers this scribe won’t be shocked if the Big Kiwi finds himself among the top five All-Time on this list.

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