Steven Adams continues to be a game-changer for the OKC Thunder in a season that features an epic half-court shot and a superhuman match-winning moment.
OKC Thunder Center Steven Adams, also known as the strongest man in the NBA is a potent force with remarkable acumen.
Adams is a true team player who is a great passer and does the tough grind that contributes to wins, but may not show up on the stat sheet.
The Kiwi is definitely full of surprises. Whether it’s astonishing us with a half-court buzzer-beater or thunderous dunks, there’s usually something new and unexpected he may pull out of his arsenal.
After his pick and roll partner Russell Westbrook left the team in the offseason, it wasn’t long before Adams was receiving some impressive and on-point passes from Chris Paul in the paint.
Paul and Adams’ relationship has gotten stronger throughout the season and some of Adams’ top moments this year have come off some plays between the pair.
Leadership is also something Adams has developed specifically this year where despite being only 26 years of age, he is one of the older players on the team with a young core.
In response to OKC’s 47 point loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in February, Adams spoke with NBA writer Kane Pitman about improving and figuring out how to combat a loss.
"“Some people just forget the game and they are able to bounce back; I like to kind of find out exactly what is going on with the game. As long as you are learning from it, that’s the only thing, but tonight I probably won’t get too much sleep.”"
He went on to discuss communicating with his teammates through challenging times.
"“The better the relationship and how direct you are and comfortable you are with confronting a player, the faster you can solve the problem,”"
This shows just how much reflection Adams does and the work he puts into making sure he and his teammates are on the same page. As well as knowing the reasoning behind every mistake he makes and how he can change his approach for a better outcome.
It’s also just a piece of what makes him such a valuable player for the OKC Thunder. He isn’t just a big presence who gets layups and sets screens. He has a great mind and continues to help OKC reach new heights.
This year he is averaging 10.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, with some indelible and enormous double-double games highlighting his 2019-20 campaign.
Here are five of his best games this year.