OKC Thunder July 2nd virtual media session: Quintessential Steven Adams

The OKC Thunder July 2nd virtual media sessions featured Steven Adams.

Next week on July 8th, the OKC Thunder will depart for Orlando and the Disney bubble. Training camp will run from the 9th to the 29th of July. The Thunder will play three inter-squad scrimmages (think preseason style games) sometime between July 21st and prior to the July 30th resumption of the season.

August 1st, the Thunder will tip-off against the Utah Jazz to finally play the match that was postponed on March 11th. The other ‘seeded’ games can be viewed here.

If that doesn’t have you excited — then today’s virtual media session should do the trick. That’s because the Big Kiwi – –  Steven Adams was the featured OKC Thunder player.

Seriously, is there a better sound bite in the association? I’ve missed the NBA, I’ve missed live OKC Thunder basketball but I REALLY missed Steven Adams!

In a coincidental twist, very early this morning I was viewing a highlight video from the January 20th victory over the Rockets in Houston which gave OKC the 2-1 edge and tiebreaker. That was the match where Clint Capela went all WWE on Adams slamming him to the ground causing his exit just 1:36 into the game.

The Pitt alum like his cohort Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is keen to get back on the hardwood and play with his team.

Steven Adams answers media questions:

The man with the awesome middle name (Funaki) quickly reminded us of how easily he solicits smiles and giggles.

Lest you forgot — Steven Adams is a cut-up. His responses made me pine for Thunder basketball more than I have these past three months and 21 days! I mean, take one look at his face and pickle T and tell me it didn’t make you smile!

As per Brandon Rahbar of Daily Thunder, he opened with an astute observation of a PR staffer that of course drew laughter.

Where Adams spent the hiatus:

Adams confirmed he returned home to New Zealand to spend time on the farm with his family and mates.

‘I think that’s everyone’s first instinct to do when there’s a world crisis going on.  – – Spend some time back on the farm.’

Adams noted at one point he sported a farmer’s tan, told the assembled virtual media members his cows are doing good and reiterated how great it was to spend time with family, mates, and his cows.  Plus gems like the tweet from Brady Trantham below.

What was the situation like back home as far as  COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter?

Per the pandemic, Adams noted how well New Zealand handled the situation getting on top of the situation early per the Athletic’s Erik Horne.

He also noted Black Lives Matter is a global movement citing a protest that occurred in Auckland.

Hiatus work and Disney bubble:

The Thunder center confirmed he never considered not returning to play, saying they all want to play (assuming he means everyone on the Thunder).

In terms of the basketball work he concentrated on during the hiatus – as per Royce Young the cows were once again front and center (no pun intended).

As for his impressions of the Disney bubble, Adams is extremely impressed by the amount of work that went into creating the bubble crediting all involved for an amazing job.

Two comments he made about dealing with the bubble were about physical contact specifically regarding handshakes: ‘Going in for a handshake now is very very sketchy. And I don’t want to be a dick.’

Plus his belief the OKC Thunder has an advantage when it comes to team chemistry: ‘I’m betting on our team.‘

In closing, Steven Funaki Adams is still the NBA’s most precious gem. His wit, genuineness, and comic timing remain intact, and to be frank — the world is simply better today having spent a few minutes with the Big Kiwi.